US Bank’s Celebration of the Arts Exhibition is now showing in Bowling Green at the Kentucky Museum on Western Kentucky University’s campus. With more than 300 pieces of fine art entered, this is the largest art show in South Central Kentucky and is open to the public. Over two-thirds of the artwork is for sale with proceeds supporting the Kentucky Museum &Library and the Visual Arts Department at WKU.

Timothy Mullin, Director of the Kentucky Library and Museum, said, “The community benefits by getting to experience the broad scope of artistic talent in the region, all gathered in one space. Artists benefit from the competitive, open-show format which includes every entry—no work of art is rejected by the museum, and WKU benefits from proceeds that help continue scholarships and art-related programming.

A total of sixty-six winners were announced at the “Preview Party” on February 26. The Arts Guild of the Barrens was well represented with seven winners. Each of these artists helped in one way or another to establish the newly organized Arts Guild of the Barrens, Inc.  Congratulations to each of them!

• •    Pamela Jewell, Amateur Watercolor, 2nd place, “Nature’s Beauty at Cades Cove”
• •    Sally Puntel, Amateur Watercolor, Honorable Mention, “Desert Fall Colors”
• •    Steve Clay, Professional Watercolor, 1st place, “Old Blue Eyes”
• •    Jef Dirig, Professional Watercolor, Honorable Mention, “Clouded Leopard”
• •    Cattie Lou Miller, Professional Watercolor, Honorable Mention, “Three Birds Flying”
• •    Margaret York, Professional Watercolor, Honorable Mention, “Lost”
• •    Nadine Wilkerson, Amateur Works on Paper, 3rd place, “Exploring Underpainting Using Manet’s ‘Lemon’ “

The art can be viewed through April 3 from 9am-4pm, Monday-Saturday and on Sunday from 1pm-4pm. Regular museum rates apply which are $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors and children ages 6-16; and $10 for the family. Sunday rates are half-price.