Students gathered at Melcher-Dallas on March 6 for the Bluegrass Conference Art Fair, an event showcasing a diverse range of artistic techniques presented by talented students, along with live demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences. Schools in attendance included: Melcher-Dallas, Twin Cedars, Moravia, Seymour and Ankeny Christian.
The fair featured three guest demonstrators who each brought a unique approach to art, giving attendees the opportunity to explore different styles and materials.
Larry Scott led a watercolor demonstration, offering practical tips and guiding viewers through the process of layering washes and allowing colors to blend naturally.
Kim DeSocio introduced participants to bleach art, a technique that involves removing color from fabric to create designs. Using T-shirts as her canvas, she demonstrated how bleach can be applied in controlled ways to produce detailed patterns and images. She also displayed several completed pieces, showing the range of effects possible with the method.
Denise McNally presented mixed media techniques using polypropylene, a nontraditional surface that interacts differently with paint and other materials. During her session, she explained her creative process and discussed her broader experience working with various forms of art.
Several students were also recognized for their outstanding artwork across a variety of categories.
Aiana Kadyrbaeva, a foreign exchange student, had an exceptional showing, earning first-place finishes in acrylic painting (representational), watercolor, printmaking, and glass. She also placed second in printmaking and third in both glass and watercolor. Kadyrbaeva was further honored with Best of Show for her watercolor piece.
Jocelynn Kennedy earned second place in acrylic painting (non-representational), while Brenya Johnson took second place in watercolor.
In scratchboard, Ashlyn Stegman received first place, and Laynie Gentry earned second place.
Kinley Bennett placed second in lettering and poster design, followed by Landyn Wadle with a third-place finish in the same category. Rocky Johnson also earned third place in printmaking.
In the ceramics and sculpture categories, Trace Mann received first place in wheel-thrown pottery and second place in enameling and jewelry. Alice Mann earned first place in small-scale sculpture, while Kaden Schrader placed third in large-scale sculpture. Brooklyn Bingham received an honorable mention in large-scale sculpture, and Trista Hansaker earned honorable mention in hand-built ceramics.
Hailey Stegman also earned a second-place finish in glass.
Art teacher and organizer Brenda Belloma said, “The event aimed to inspire students and foster appreciation for the arts within the Bluegrass Conference schools. It was a successful day!”