MANSFIELD – Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center has announced its annual Artapolooza fine arts festival will take place March 20 through 24 and will be held at the Conference Center at 890 W. Fourth Street in Mansfield.
“After having to cancel last year’s event, we are so happy to offer in-person viewing of the students’ artwork. I know the students are excited to have their artwork displayed,” stated Jennifer Pennell, Mid-Ohio ESC Gifted Education Consultant and coordinator of the event.
The gallery will be open on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 21, from noon to 4 p.m. The gallery will also be open during the week on Monday, March 22 through Wednesday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required.
This year the art awards presentation will be done virtually. A slideshow presentation and gallery walk will be available to view on Mid-Ohio ESC’s website at the conclusion of the event.
“This will allow the public to be able to view the gallery and awards virtually as well,” Pennell said.
As in years previous, Artapolooza will be accepting all types of visual art projects: paintings, drawings, sculptures, as well as mixed media and digital art. Pennell emphasized that students from all area schools, not just MOESC member districts, are all welcome and may submit projects for the festival.
“Artapolooza is about celebrating the arts, something that is important to every child’s education,” Pennell said. “We’re supporting the belief from the Ohio Department of Education that ‘education in the Fine Arts is essential in developing the whole child.’”
