Museum’s Mary Hoard Art Show to be held in March, April

The Hoard Historical Museum has announced that it is hosting the Mary Hoard Art Show, which is in its 61st year. 

The two-part show will be held Wednesday, March 15, through Saturday, March 25, and Tuesday, April 11, through Saturday, April 22. 

According to information released by the Hoard Museum, the show is held in two parts to accommodate the large number of works traditionally received for inclusion in the show. 

Part 1, held in March 

According to the release, Part 1 of the show will feature works created by artists in grades K-8. An opening reception is planed for Wednesday, March 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 

Awards winners within several categories will be announced during the opening reception at 6:30 p.m. 

The release notes that the show will be open during the museum’s regular hours of operation, which are Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The show is open to the public and visiting the museum is free.  

All kindergarten through eight-grade students within the boundaries of the School District of Fort Atkinson, who attend public and private schools or are homeschooled, are eligible to enter one piece of artwork in the show, the release stated. Elementary school-aged students, in grades K-5, may enter a 2D (two-dimensional) piece. Middle school students, grades 6-8, are eligible to enter a 2D or 3D piece.  

While artist registration is required, there are no associated fees, the release noted.  

Registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 28, and ends Saturday, March 4. Registration forms are available at the Hoard Museum during museum hours or through Fort Atkinson schools’ art teachers, the release continued. 

Part 2, held in April 

According to the release, Part 2 of the show will feature works created by high school-aged students. An opening reception will be held Tuesday, April 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

Awards winners within several categories will be announced during the opening reception at 7:30 p.m. 

High school-aged students within the boundaries of the School District of Fort Atkinson who attend public and private schools or are homeschooled are eligible to enter one piece of artwork in the show choosing from 2D, 3D or digital work mediums. 

There are no fees associated with entering works created by high school-aged students, the release noted. 

In addition, adult artists who live, work or take classes within Jefferson County may enter up to two pieces in the show, although adult artists also are encouraged to consider entering a third piece in a category titled: “Local Significance.” 

“This category replaces the “Historical” category, and must depict specific, significant persons, objects, events, places, buildings, or landscapes within Jefferson County, the release noted.  

All 2D and digital artwork pieces must be wired in ready-to-hang fashion, with wires capable of supporting the full weight of the piece.

Three-dimensional submittals may have a maximum size of  2- by 2- by 6-feet tall and a maximum weight limit of 40 pounds.

An adult entry fee is $20 per artist, the release stated. 

All entries must remain on display through Sunday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. 

Entry rules, forms, and registration information for Part 2 of the Mary Hoard Art Show will be made available March 1. Registration for Part 2 will begin Tuesday, March 28.

About the Mary Hoard Art Show 

According to the release, the Mary Hoard Art Show was founded by Mary Cunningham Hoard in 1961 and was first known as the Fort Atkinson Art Exhibit. The exhibition, as of 2023, is celebrating its 61st year.

“Our show is one of the longest running community art shows in the state. Ours is also unique since it is open to anyone wanting to participate and who lives within the geographic boundaries for the show,” Merrilee Lee, director of the Hoard Historical Museum, was quoted as saying in the release. 

About the Hoard Museum 

According to the release, the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum are located at 401 Whitewater Avenue in Fort Atkinson, Wis. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 9:30 to 4:30. There is no admission charge.  For more information, contact the Museum by phone: 920-397-9914, email: info@hoardMuseum.org, or visit the website: www.hoardmuseum.org.  

A story featuring an extensive history of the show and information about one of its cofounders is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/mary-hoard-art-show-returning-to-hoard-museum/

Jan Arndt, at left, and Paulette Crook, both of Fort Atkinson, admire entries in the Mary Hoard Art Show during an opening reception held during Part 2 of the show last year. File photo/Chris Spangler. 

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