MANSFIELD – Spring has sprung and for our local art teachers, this means art show season! Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is excited to host their annual Artapolooza fine arts festival.
This year, it will take place from April 4 through 9 at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center at 890 W. Fourth Street in Mansfield.
“This year’s event is shaping up to be another incredible year with 34 school buildings participating,” stated Jennifer Pennell, Mid-Ohio ESC Gifted Education Consultant and coordinator of this year’s event.
The art gallery will be open on Friday, April 4 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 from noon to 4 p.m.
The gallery will also be open during the week on Monday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This year the art awards presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Artist’s Hall.
A slideshow presentation and gallery walk will also be available on Mid-Ohio ESC’s website at the end of the event.
“This will allow the public to be able to view the gallery and awards virtually as well,” Pennell said.
Mid-Ohio ESC would like to thank Schmidt Security Pro for their generous support of Artapolooza and for providing funding for the awards.
As in previous years, 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 are supporting the belief from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce that education in the Fine Arts is essential in developing the whole child.”