By Kim McDarison
Some 800 pieces of art made by children, grades K-8, living within the School District of Fort Atkinson are on display at the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson.
The pieces, which span the museum throughout two floors, comprise Part 1 of the Mary Hoard Art Show, now in its 60th year, Dana Bertelsen, assistant director of the Hoard Museum, said.
The pieces will remain available for viewing through April 9, after which, Part 2, featuring art made by high school students and adults, will be placed on exhibit.
Greeting visitors Saturday afternoon, a volunteer estimated some 50 people had braved the early spring snow shower, arriving at the museum to view the exhibition.
Among visitors on Saturday was Reese Pettit, a kindergarten student at Rockwell Elementary School, and her family. After discovering and viewing Reese’s work, the group, including parents, Abby and Zak, Reese’s cousin, Amara Scuglik, 4, and sister, Everly also 4, explored the colorful array of artistic offerings presented on the museum’s first floor.
Saturday was also the last day visitors could vote for a “Popular Choice” award. Voting began Wednesday, and is one of several awards show participants will win, Bertelsen said. Awards, which will be finalized sometime next week, include first-, second- and third-place and honorable mention ribbons presented within each participating grade level.
Bertelson said works on display within Part 1 were received from students within the school district’s four elementary schools and its middle school, as well as area parochial schools and children within the district who are homeschooled.
The Hoard Historical Museum is located in Fort Atkinson, 401, Whitewater Ave.
While some ribbons had been placed on art Saturday, the process of awarding ribbons within each grade level was still underway. A full list of Part 1 winners will be made available sometime next week, Bertelsen said.
Part 2 of the Mary Hoard Art Show is scheduled to begin April 24, and will run through May 14.
An earlier story about the show and its history is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/mary-hoard-art-show-returning-to-hoard-museum/.
Following are photos taken Saturday during the event.