Area artists and photographers, both youth and adult, are invited to enter their works as part of the upcoming 19th annual Fayette Art Show set for Saturday, Aug. 4.
Artwork again will be displayed in two separate venues throughout the day, CMU’s Ashby-Hodge Gallery (adult entries), and the Howard County Courthouse (youth entries). 
The show will be part of the 10th annual Fayette Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Fayette Area Heritage Association (FAHA).
“Entries for the second year will be judged by three noted professionals instead of two,” notes festival coordinator Jim Steele. “Since photography always is the most popular category, we’ve again secured St. Louis professional photographer/educator Jennifer Kettler to handle this task, both for youth and adults.” She is a former staff reporter and photographer for the Fayette Advertiser.
In addition to Kettler, another art show judge serving again will be Dr. Henry Graham. A familiar local name, he is an adjunct professor of art history at CMU and was general coordinator of the festival for six years, beginning with its inception in 2009. Graham will judge all adult entries (professional and amateur) except photography.
Returning as a judge for the fourth consecutive year will be Ferguson resident Emily Benner who again will evaluate youth entries. A noted photographer and an art educator with more than 13 years of experience, she is a  nationally-certified art instructor in the West St. Louis County Rockwood School District
“With adult works shown in the Ashby-Hodge Gallery there is more space available in the courthouse for viewing student art and photography,” explains art show coordinator Patricia Fisher. “In recent years we’ve put forth a concentrated effort  to encourage more youth entries.”
Exhibits at both locations will be open for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 4. The art show continues as in past years as a major part of the festival.
Six entry fields are included in the show with monetary prizes and ribbons to be awarded to winning works. The fields are: Painting (oil, acrylic); Painting (water color or pastel); Drawing (pencil, pen and ink, or charcoal); Photography; Sculpture; and Varied Media. Each entry field is open to any artist irrespective of age or  classification. (Adults will be judged in one of two categories, professional or amateur.)
For youth entries there are three age classifications: Elementary, Middle School, or High School. A particular classification is based on the student’s status for the 2017-18  school year.
A total of up to four original entries may be submitted by any one artist, adult or student. The fee is $10 per adult entry (professional or amateur), with no charge for student entries. Adult entry checks are payable to the Fayette Area Heritage Association-Festival.  Student entries will be registered and received in the courthouse office of the Howard County clerk between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 30 and 31.
Adult entries will be registered and received at the Ashby-Hodge Gallery in CMU’s Classic Hall on the same days between 3 and 7 p.m. (Anyone unable to come by on the assigned dates may register in advance at the Fayette newspaper office, 203 N. Main, during business hours.)
First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded for each of the six entry fields in all classifications. There also will be special awards, including Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice.
Entry forms, including full information about art show rules and regulations, are available by using the Art Show link.
The form also includes information about cash prizes. Printed copies are available at the Commercial Trust information desk and at the newspaper office.