Oskaloosa Main Street’s 55th Annual Art on the Square a Success

OSKALOOSA — On Saturday, June 8, Art on the Square returned for its 55th year. Festivities included over 35 artist booths, an Emerging Artist area for first-time participants, live music from Paul Imholte and his array of instruments, and kids’ activities. In the week leading up to Art on the Square, local artists and creatives painted 27 windows in the Main Street district as part of the “Children’s Storybook” Window Art Walk. Some organizations and downtown businesses also offered Creative Stations. The Lions Club set up their spin art station, the Mahaska County 4H hosted a “Make Your Own Button’ station at United Way, the Book Vault offered a “Create Your Own Bookmark’ station, and the ISU Extension brought the “StoryWalk” to the downtown city square park. Oskaloosa was the place to be for arts & culture on June 8.

As in the past, Art on the Square judges were sent out to select award-winning artwork. The judges this year, Glenna Rummels and Nicole Steddom visited every booth and talked with artists to decide on four Best of Show, four Honorable Mentions, and one Emerging Artist of the Year. After much deliberation, the judges selected the following artists to receive the awards:

Best of Show, 1st Place, Two-Dimensional: Bob Kling (Indianola, IA) for Painting “Onions”
Best of Show, 1st Place, Three-Dimensional: Greg Harris (Leawood, KS) for wood-turned bowls
Best of Show, 2nd Place, Two-Dimensional: Laura Larabee (Monticello, IA) for oil painting on mahogany wood
Best of Show, 2nd Place: Three Dimensional: Allison Vial (Urbandale, IA) for handcrafted polymer clay jewelry
Best of Show, Emerging Artist: Osmar Castro (Marshalltown, IA) for a large ceramic vase
Honorable Mentions: Mike Mittermeier (Urbandale, IA) for abstract landscapes with oil on panels, Lauren Terrell (Oskaloosa, IA) for “Untitled” oil painting, Sue Burnham (Oskaloosa, IA) for sculpture needle felting, Tarun Dhall (Des Moines, IA) By Creative Heart.

Every one of the 36 artists who participated in Art on the Square exhibited talent and beautiful art. While many of the artists were locals living near Oskaloosa, others traveled from around Iowa as well as Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. A wide range of artwork filled the booths around the Square, from oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings to pottery and ceramics, photography, wire sculptures, fiber arts, fine woodworking, jewelry, and more.

This year was a great success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the sponsors and volunteers who helped make it happen, the artists who brought their talent to downtown Oskaloosa, and the community members who attended to support art and artists. On behalf of Oskaloosa Main Street and the Art on the Square committee, thank you!

For more information about Art on the Square, contact Oskaloosa Main Street at mainstreet@mahaskachamber.org or 641-672-2591.

OSKALOOSA MAIN STREET'S 55TH ANNUAL ART ON THE SQUARE A SUCCESS

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