A new special category is coming to the 19th annual Northwestern Oklahoma State University Art Society Art Show set for Sunday, March 6, through Friday, March 25, in the J.W. Martin Library open to the public during regular library hours.
That category is “Coloring” and is open to all Northwestern students, alumni and current/retired employees.
“To emphasize the importance of creativity, stress relief and just taking care of our community’s mental health, we’re adding a coloring category for this year,” said Angelia Case, academic projects assistant/media specialist and art society sponsor. “We’ll try this category for at least one year and see how we do. If we can help reduce the stress and increase creative thinking of our students, and others, then it’s win-win.”
Case said that besides just being a way to relax and de-stress, coloring gets people thinking of different tones and hues and how to put them together effectively in the work they are completing.
“As with all other forms of art, in coloring, you are also using your imagination,” Case said. “Merriam-Webster.com defines art as ‘something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings,’ so we are going to give this a shot in our show as a special category,” Case said.
Coloring works should use traditional coloring media, for example, crayons, colored pencils and markers could be used. Pieces may use pre-made coloring pages or original coloring pages. Emphasis should be placed on creativity, originality, color combinations and overall presentation. These pieces of art must be at least 5×7 in size and should be mounted or matted for display.
Case said that students and non-students (current/retired employees and alumni) will be competing head-to-head in this special category with ribbons being the only prizes awarded.
Case noted that by end of day Wednesday, Feb. 23, entry forms must be submitted for the annual art show, of which there are 32 other categories to enter including painting, drawing, photography and more.
All categories and descriptions may be found along with entry forms and other art show rules at www.nwosu.edu/art/nas-art-show.
All artwork must be turned in at the library on Wednesday, March 2, by 5 p.m.
Students are eligible for prize money along with ribbon awards. Non-students will be awarded ribbons. All are eligible for the People’s Choice award since this is chosen by those attending the library show.
Anyone with questions or needing more information should contact Case at arcase@nwosu.edu.
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