Benton County Arts Fest 2023
And the winners of the 2023 Benton County Arts Fest Competition are….
Best in Show
Dina Kowal – Self Reflection
People’s Choice
Max McKenna – Neytiri
Best of Category – Wet Media
Windy Place – Terri Oestmann
Best in Category – Dry Media
Self Reflection – Dina Kowal
Best in Category – Mixed Media
Peek-a-Boo – Deann Kuse
Best in Category – Photography
Hoppin’ Friends – Kay Perkins
Best in Category – 3D
The End of the Beginning – Kathi Gatliff
Most Creative in Category – Wet Media
Billy – Dawn Frye
Most Creative in Category – Dry Media
Ginger – Deann Kuse
Most Creative in Category – Mixed Media
Traveling West – Donna Everitts
Most Creative in Category – Photography
Pixie – Kay Perkins
Most Creative in Category – 3D
Christmas Tree – Geri Choate
Artistic Excellence
I’m a Big Bowl – Kathi Gatliff
Neytiri – Max McKenna
Angel Rising – Sherrie Close
Winter Jays – Deann Kuse
Morning Burn-Off – Terri Oestmann
Honorable Mentions:
Buckeye Sunning – Jennie Ingram
Mittins – Pam Foster
Mill – Shirley Rosinski
A Boy and His Chicken – Rhonda Snyder
Butterfly Coneflowers – Rhonda Snyder
Approaching Storm – Dawn Frye
Autumn Light – Lori Gilmore
Happy Parrot – Donna Everitts
Iris – Benjamin Kowal
Starry Night – Susanne Bechtel
Youth Wet (8-10 years)
1st: Trails to the Beach – Bell Fluty
Youth Wet (11-13 years)
1st: Sunflower – Amelia Roberts
Youth Wet (14-17 years)
1st: Skull – Serenity Miller
2nd: A Moment in the Flowers – Erin Goodpaster
3rd: Lakeside – Erin Goodpaster
Youth Dry (11-13 years)
1st: Forest – William Barclay II
2nd: The Meow Ruff – Saline Howry
Youth Dry (14-17 years)
1st: Spring Rain – Ruby Althoff
2nd: Lion of Judah – Ruby Althoff
3rd: Moana Chicken – Sara Miller
Youth Mixed Media (11-13 years)
1st: Under the Sea – Noah Kern
2nd: Samurai – Noah Kern
3rd: King Strut – Noah Kern
Youth Photography (8-10 years)
1st: Flower – Henry Adler
2nd: Girl – Henry Adler
3rd: Boy and Girl – Henry Adler
Youth Photography (11-13 years)
1st: Goat – Connor Roberts
2nd: Girl – Amelia Roberts
3rd: Duck – Amelia Roberts
Youth Photography (14-17 years)
1st: Turtle – Sara Miller
2nd: Daisy – Sara Miller
3rd: Red Cardinal – Elizabeth Barclay
Youth 3D (8-10 years)
1st: Spring Trap – Braxyton Whittecar
2nd: Orange Kitty Plate – Bailey Steenburgen
3rd: Monster – Braxyton Whittecar
Youth 3D (14-17 years)
1st: The Mangle – Ashtyn Danford
2nd: Japanese – Ashtyn Danford
3rd: Nightmare Foxy – Ashtyn Danford
We would like to thank ALL of the Benton County artists who submitting amazing art for this year’s Benton County Arts Fest competition and exhibition. You truly are one-of-a-kind and we are blessed to be able to hold this event for YOU and for all of the followers who support your work. We can’t wait for 2024 to be even bigger and better!
We are excited to be expanding our Art Walk! The Benton County Arts Fest will include Street Performances, Food Trucks, Make and Take art projects, Art and Craft Vendors, Artist Swap and Shop, Art Competition, and Silent Auction.
The objectives of this event are to showcase different forms of art by our talented Benton County artists, while inspiring visitors to explore and express their own creativity. The vendor show will provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy and purchase unique handmade art and crafts, to interact with working artists in the community, and to raise the level of awareness and appreciation for the creativity of our local artisans.
Experience the arts in Benton County with local artists, makers, and performers. Art contest with cash prizes, artisan demos, hands-on projects, maker market, live performances. This event is a fundraiser toward future arts events and the formation of a Benton County Arts Council. Entry forms and information coming soon!
Presented by Benton County Tourism & Recreation, Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, Benton County MU Extension and Dina Kowal Creative.
-A visual arts display and contest featuring artists of all ages from Benton County
-A marketplace of artisan vendors from Benton County and beyond – selling their original handwork
-A silent auction featuring items from our vendors and other local businesses
-Demonstrations and hands-on projects by local artists
-Performance areas featuring local talent
-Sidewalk chalk
-More!
All proceeds from this event will go toward future arts events like this one!
Q&A
You can find more information on each portion of our show below or by going to www.bentoncountyarts.com.
FOLLOW THE EVENT ON FACEBOOK
art show entry form (adult)
Art show entry form (youth)
ARTISAN VENDOR APPLICATION ONLINE
FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION ONLINE
PERFORMER APPLICATION PRINTABLE
OPEN MIC REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
volunteer opportunities
Meet the Art Competition Judge
Dr. Meghan McClellan is an Art Historian specializing in the art of humor and 19th century photography.
She holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia (2017), with additional degrees
including an MA in Art History (2009), BA in Art History (2007), and an AA from Cottey College (2005). As
the lead Art History faculty at State Fair Community College since 2018, McClellan earned nominations
for Instructor of the Year in 2022 and 2023. Currently, she is researching the legacy of female artistry in
the Midwest.
We want to thank the following sponsors for supporting our artists!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
ART HEROES
ART SUPPORTERS
ART LOVERS
2022 CONTEST
Organized and hosted by Lynette Stokes of Benton County Tourism & Recreation, Amie Breshears of MU Extension in Benton County, and Dina Kowal Creative
The second annual Benton County Art Walk in conjunction with the Benton County Wine Stroll was held on Saturday, April 30, 2022!
The show had 3 parts:–a visual arts display and contest featuring 116 entries by artists of all ages from Benton County, judged by artist Kelsey Raines of Sedalia.–a marketplace of artisan vendors from Benton County and beyond, selling their original handiwork–a silent auction featuring items from our vendors and other local businesses
All proceeds from this event will go toward future arts events like this one!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 art competition PRIZE WINNERS!
BEST OF SHOW:
LORI GILMORE “LAKE LIGHT” (WET MEDIA)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE:
DAWN FRYE “PURE LOVE”
CATEGORY: WET MEDIA
BEST OF CATEGORY: LORI GILMORE “LAKE LIGHT”
MOST CREATIVE: JENNIE INGRAM “BIZZY”
CATEGORY: DRY MEDIA
BEST OF CATEGORY: DINA KOWAL “GABBY”
MOST CREATIVE: RILEY WARREN “BIRTHDAY CAKE”
CATEGORY: MIXED MEDIA
BEST OF CATEGORY: STEPHANIE PATE “MOTHERHOOD”
MOST CREATIVE: ROYCE RATLIFF “IN THE STARS” (MIXED MEDIA)
CATEGORY: PHOTOGRAPHY
BEST OF CATEGORY: DESTINY BROOKSHIER “FLY OVER STATE OF MIND”
MOST CREATIVE: AMY BIGGERSTAFF “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE”
CATEGORY: 3D ART
BEST OF CATEGORY: KATHI GATLIFF “GROW IN SPITE OF”
MOST CREATIVE: KIERSTEN GROBE “SAIL AWAY”
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE: (OVERALL, REGARDLESS OF CATEGORY)
LORI GILMORE “C HIGHWAY” (WET)
DIANN GOCHENOUR “SPRING BALL” (3D)
DINA KOWAL “SPRING FEVER” (DRY)
AMY BIGGERSTAFF “PLAYING IN THE CREEK” (PHOTOGRAPHY)
ROMAN SEBASTIAN “HIGH TIDE” (WET)
HONORABLE MENTION (OVERALL, REGARDLESS OF CATEGORY)
ROMAN SEBASTIAN “THE FOX AND THE RABBIT” (WET)
DAWN FRYE “PURE LOVE” (WET)
ROYCE RATCLIFF “KNOB TOWN” (MIXED)
KIERSTEN GROBE “WHERE DO YOU GROW” (WET)
DAWN FRYE “SPRING DAY” (WET)
WINNERS OF THE 2022 BENTON COUNTY ART COMPETITION (YOUTH):
7 AND UNDER COLORING CONTEST
1ST SHAY SHERRILL
2ND AUBRE EUFINGER
3RD BRAXTYN WHITTECAR
AGES 8-10
WET MEDIA
1ST – BELL FLUTY “LADY BUG”
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST – HENRY ADLER “GOAT”
2ND – HENRY ADLER “SNOW”
3RD – CONNOR ROBERTS “TUBING”
AGES 11-13
WET MEDIA
1ST – SARA MILLER “WATERFALL”
2ND – SARA MILLER “COLORFUL ELEPHANT”
DRY MEDIA
1ST – SARA MILLER “WILD FOX”
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST – AMELIA ROBERTS “RODEO”
2ND – SARA MILLER “CRANE”
3RD – AMELIA ROBERTS “CARDINAL”
3D ART
1ST – ASHTYN DANFORD “THE ROCKSTAR BAND”
2ND – JETT FLUTY “NEVER FORGET 911”
3RD – ASHTYN DANFORD “MINI ASTRONAUTS”
AGES 14-18
WET MEDIA
1ST – SELENA WORTHLEY “ABSTRACT MUSTACHE MAN”
2ND – ALEAH MINKS “BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL”
3RD – KYLER KOVACH-REYES “A NORMAL TEEN”
DRY MEDIA
1ST – SELENA WORTHLEY “THE RYKER GUITAR”
2ND – MEGAN TENOLD “STILL LIFE”
MIXED MEDIA
1ST – CORA OELRICHS “UNTITLED”
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST – JC MINKS “FIRE IN THE SKY”
2ND – JC MINKS “SIERRA”
3RD – JC MINKS “LAKE SERENITY”
3D ART
1 ST – ALEAH MINKS “FROG BOX”
2ND – ALEAH MINKS “FROG CUP”
We want to thank our sponsors: Jester’s House for cash prizes and Creative Palette for youth ribbons. We also want to send a special thank you to the Warsaw Boy Scout Troop #34 for the beautiful new Art Walk Panels. All proceeds from the Art Walk go back into the art community and $633 was spent toward supplies for the art panels with the Boy Scouts donating their time and knowledge.
The goal of holding art-related events is to support Benton County artists with any proceeds going back into the organizing of a Benton County Arts Council to oversee any art-related events and continue to promote the arts culture of Benton County artists. If you are interested in being on this committee board, please contact Dina Kowal, Lynette Stokes or Amie Breshears.
2021 WINNERS
AND HE WINNERS ARE…..
BEST OF SHOW
Janice Norberg – Red Crown Gas
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Kiersten Grobe – Golden
3D ART
BEST OF CATEGORY
Tommie Kern – Two Pears and a Quince
MOST CREATIVE IN CATEGORY
Kathi Gatliff – Zentangled Rabbit
PHOTOGRAPHY
BEST OF CATEGORY
Marie Kersey – The Pier
MOST CREATIVE IN CATEGORY
Amy Biggerstaff – Garden Fairy
FRAMED ART
BEST OF CATEGORY
Janice Norberg – Red Crown Gas
MOST CREATIVE IN CATEGORY
Royce Ratcliff – Two
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
Dina Kowal – Where You’re Planted
Royce Ratcliff – Happy Go Lucky
Amy Biggerstaff – Bless the USA
Marie Kersey – Canyons
Kathi Gatliff – Tapestry Tray
HONORABLE MENTION
Dina Kowal – Bird Nest Necklace
Gary Frye – Wine Cellar
Dawn Frye – Summertime
Roy Hampton – Enduring Freedom
Duane Shope – Myllehouse
YOUTH PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Katy Cook – Cardinal
YOUTH 3D (11-13)
1st – Ashtyn Danford – the Rock Bears
2nd – Hali Malone – Spring Flowers
3rd – Ember Malone – Pet Lizard
YOUTH MIXED MEDIA (11-13)
1st – Katy Coonce – Flowers
YOUTH PAINTING (11-13)
1st – Katy Cook – Cardinal
2nd – Molly Strozewski – African Sunset
3rd – Sara Miller – Sunrise Over Mountains
YOUTH PAINTING (14-17)
1st – Marissa Ricke – The Girl and the Dragon
2nd – Estella Fisher – Dragon
YOUTH DRAWING (11-13)
1st – Aleah Minks – Dogs Except One Bleats Because It Is Bilingual
2nd – Aleah Minks – Post It
3rd – Sara Miller – Mythical Dragon
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY (8-10)
1st – Conner Roberts – Squirrel
2nd – Conner Roberts – Yellow Flower
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY (11-13)
1st – Amelia Roberts – Reflection
2nd – Sara Miller – Blooming Sunset
Presented by Benton County Tourism & Recreation, MU Extension in Benton County, and Dina Kowal Creative
For more information, go to the Benton County Arts website or email bentoncountyarts@gmail.com. You can also pick up entry forms at the Warsaw Community Building – outside of the Chamber of Commerce office during regular business hours.
ARTS COUNCIL FORMING!
The goal of holding art-related events is to support Benton County artists with any proceeds going back into the organizing of a Benton County Arts Council to oversee any art-related events and continue to promote the arts culture of Benton County artists. If you are interested in being on this committee board, please contact Dina Kowal, Lynette Stokes or Amie Breshears.
For additional information, please contact us at 660-438-2090 or email lstokes@visitbentoncomo.com or bentoncountyarts@gmail.com.
Thank you to our generous cash prize sponsor Jester’s Bowling and Event Center!
Thank you to our generous sponsor Creative Palette for sponsoring the youth competition!
MEET THE JUDGE
Michael Mac McWhirter – Artist
Born: Ironton, Mo. 1947