The 33rd annual Ernie Pope Art Show will be displayed in the windows of Fort Atkinson’s Main Street businesses between May 7 and 22, according to information released by Fort Atkinson Community Credit Union (FCCU), one of the show’s sponsors, and Angela Szabo, a School District of Fort Atkinson art teacher.
According to the release, 15 students, as identified by each of the School District of Fort Atkinson’s art teachers, and those identified by St. Joseph School in Fort Atkinson, will have their work displayed in the walkable show.
Works were selected for the creativity, giving the student artists an opportunity to display their creativity and hard work, the release stated.
A plethora of mediums are represented in the show, including those of paint, pencil, papercraft, photography, jewelry, and sculpture, among others, the release noted.
Along with FCCU, the event is sponsored by Iron Markets and NASCO, the release read, with awards funded through a dedicated Fort Atkinson Community Foundation fund in memory of the late, Ernie Pope, described within the release as a “strong supporter of the arts,” for whom the show is named.
As stated in the release, the Cygnus Ernie Pope Scholastic Art Awards began 30 years ago. Pope, who worked for Johnson Hill Press, believed that Fort Atkinson students had significant artistic talent and he wanted to encourage it. He approached the art teachers at the time and proposed the scholastic art awards. Pope succumbed to cancer, but the show has continued.
Additional funds are provided through a “recurring donation,” the release noted, provided by Robert Farrell in honor of his mother, June.
Following the show, a closing reception and awards ceremony is slated to take place in Fort Atkinson’s Barrie Park, 210 Robert St., Wednesday, May 22, at 5:15 p.m.
Certificates and monetary awards will be presented to winners in seven awards categories, the release continued, with winners in six categories chosen by four local judges. A seventh category, that of People’s Choice, will be selected by those viewing the show.
The six award categories, with winners selected by the judges, include: Ernie Pope, June Farrell, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Purchase.
Those viewing the downtown show are encouraged to vote for a People’s Choice winner through use of a QR code found near each displayed exhibition piece.
A story about the Ernie Pope Art Show, held in 2022, is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/ernie-pope-art-show-underway/.
A story about the Ernie Pope Art Show, held in 2021, is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/ernie-pope-scholastic-art-show-winners-announced/.
Several pieces of student art stand ready for viewing as part of the 30th Annual Ernie Pope Art Show. The works were displayed within the windows of several Main Street businesses in downtown Fort Atkinson. File photo/Kim McDarison.
A “Chameleon Teapot” is the work of a 2023 Ernie Pope Art Show award winner, Elizabeth Garcia. The artist is a 2023 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School. Contributed photo.
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