MASON CITY — The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum has opened Area Show: 50, bringing together selected works from artists across North Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
The juried exhibition was open to artists above high school age who live within 100 miles of Mason City. Artists were allowed to submit up to two works in any medium for consideration.
This year’s show drew 114 entries from 62 artists. The final exhibition includes 36 works by 35 artists.
Artists selected for the exhibition are competing for cash awards and additional recognition. The artist whose work is named Best in Show will receive a solo exhibition in the museum’s Center Space Gallery in 2027.
Three artists will receive $250 Excellence Awards, two artists will receive $100 Merit Awards, and one artist will receive a $50 Most Daring Award.
The juror for Area Show: 50 is Kong Ho, associate professor of art at North Iowa Area Community College.
An awards program and artist reception will be held Saturday, July 11, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Awards will be announced and presented at 11:30 a.m. The reception will give visitors a chance to meet and talk with participating artists.
The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
Area Show: 50 is sponsored by the David & Phyllis Murphy Charitable Foundation. The exhibition will remain on view in the museum’s Kinney-Lindstrom Gallery through September 23.
Admission to the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum is free. More visitor information is available at macniderart.org.
(Image: Bonnie Wedge of Albert Lea, MN, Incongruity, Newspaper.)