GRAND ISLAND – The Visual Arts category at the Nebraska State Fair provides opportunities for people to view many different kinds of art.
Anita Lewandowski of Grand Island has been Visual Arts superintendent since 2013.
“I really love the artists. They support each other,” she said.
Entries were delivered Aug. 19. 90 volunteers and seven judges assisted with processing the entries. Awards are given for first- through fifth-place.
“I’m amazed at the talent there is in the state,” Lewandowski said.
Some of the categories are: oil, acrylics, water soluble media, pencil or ink drawings, pastels and charcoals, mixed media, pottery, glass, woodworking, china painting, scrapbooking, paper art, beading and jewelry, leather, taxidermy, tattoo design, chalk art, America 250, and “trash to treasures.”
There are two categories for older people: “75 and older” and “Senior Living Communities.”
“It’s open to anyone who is a resident of Nebraska. It’s open class. You don’t have to have won at a county fair. You can just enter here. It’s a fun way to show off your talent and put it out there for other people to see,” Lewandowski said.
“We really strive to encourage people and let them know we appreciate the beauty they bring into the world with their type of artwork. Anything that was in woodworking this year was stellar: from tables to a chest made for a son who was in the military. We have a bust of an Indian that’s hand-carved that’s amazing,” she said.
“We also have some incredible paintings. David Dorsey (of Valentine), of course, people come back and ask for him. There is a huge pheasant made out of metal,” Lewandowski said.
The participants are age 15 and up.
Award winners receive a ribbon and cash prize.
In the “Senior Living Communities” category, award winners receive ribbons, but the cash prizes go to the senior living facility to support ongoing work in visual arts.
“Just come out and take a look at the incredible, talented people we have in the state of Nebraska. I would encourage people to enter something. There’s nothing to lose. There’s no entry fee,” Lewandowski said.