MANSFIELD – Spring is here, and for our local art teachers, this means art show season! Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is excited to host its annual Artapolooza fine arts festival.
This year, it will take place from April 17 through April 22 at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center at 890 W. Fourth Street in Mansfield.
“This year’s event is shaping up to be a massive showcase of local talent, with 23 school districts participating consisting of 46 art teachers displaying the incredible work of their students,” stated Jennifer Pennell, Mid-Ohio ESC coordinator of this year’s event.
Event highlights, entertainment
In addition to the vast gallery of visual arts, Artapolooza is thrilled to announce a special performance by the Richland School of Academic Arts dance team.
They will be providing live entertainment for attendees on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m.
Gallery hours
The public is invited to explore the gallery during the following hours:
Friday, April 17: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (dance performance at 2 p.m.)
Sunday, April 19: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, April 20: Wednesday, April 22: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Awards and virtual Access
The annual art awards presentation will be held on the final evening, Wednesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Artists Hall.
For those unable to attend in person, a slideshow presentation and gallery walk will be available on the Mid-Ohio ESC website at the conclusion of the event.
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 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.
Pennell further stated, “Artapolooza is about celebrating the arts, something that is important to every child’s education.
“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.”