Benton County Arts Fest 2023

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.

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