Area artists and photographers, both youth and adult, were invited to enter their works as part of the 18th annual Fayette Art Show on Saturday, Aug. 5. For the fourth consecutive year, artwork was displayed in two separate venues throughout the day, CMU’s Ashby-Hodge Gallery (adult entries), and the Hoard County Courthouse (youth entries).  Always a much-anticipated event, the art show was a part of the ninth annual Fayette Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Fayette Area Heritage Association (FAHA) and other organizations.
“For the first time in the long history of the show, entries will be judged by three noted professionals inside of just two,” commented festival coordinator Jim Steele prior to the show. “Since photography always is the most popular category, we’ve been fortunate to secure St. Louis professional photographer/educator Jennifer Kettler to handle this responsibility, both for youth and adults.”
She was a staff reporter and photographer for the Fayette newspapers in the years 2005 and 2006 and currently is professor of digital photography at the Art Institute of St. Louis.

In addition to  new judge Jennifer Kettler, another art show judge serving for the first time was 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 third consecutive year was Ferguson resident Emily Benner who againl evaluated youth entries. A noted photographer and an art educator with more than 12 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,” Steele noted. “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. 5. The art show continues as a major part of the festival.
Each art exhibit location had a separate on-site coordinator. Serving again this year were Patricia Fisher (adult show) and Penny Brown (student show).