DES MOINES - The inaugural winners of the ‘Celebration of Iowa: Agriculture Art Award’ will be announced at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14 on the Budweiser stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
The juried art competition had 75 entries, including 65 in the adult division (ages 18 and over) and 10 in the youth division (ages 17 and under). The competition sought artwork from Iowa artists that innovatively celebrated the natural beauty of Iowa and its role as a global leader in agriculture. Artists from 45 Iowa communities were represented.
The contest featured cash prizes in both the youth and adult divisions. Artwork was judged on the innovation of concept and execution of contest theme and the aesthetic and technical quality of the work. The First Place winners in both the Youth and Adult divisions will receive $1,250, with Second and Third Place winners receiving $750 and $500, respectively. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation sponsored the prizes.
Fairgoers will be able to see images of the winning artwork at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s booth in the Varied Industries Building on the State Fairgrounds following the announcement on Tuesday morning. The original works are currently on display in Baratta’s Café at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines.
The contest was judged by officials from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
The details of the announcement event follow here:
Who: Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Craig Hill, President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Mary Cownie, Director, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Where: Budweiser Stage (South of Grand Ave. Gate) – Iowa State Fair Grounds
When: 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012
What: Announcement of “Celebration of Iowa: Agriculture Art Award” winners
