WALDPORT — Teens in Waldport, Yachats and Tidewater can showcase their artistic talent in a new event created by gallery owner/photographer Donna Bader.
The South County Youth Art Contest and Show is aimed at young people in two age groups: 12-15 and 16-18. In categories for painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media, entrants can have their works judged and displayed, and compete for awards including cash prizes.
Winners will be announced at a free reception and awards ceremony from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Bader Fine Art Gallery, 120 N.W. Highway 101 in Waldport. Artists may submit up to two pieces, and must deliver their work(s) by Oct. 14 to the Bader Gallery.
Full details and contest rules, along with an application form, are available from sponsor Polly Plumb Productions, the Yachats nonprofit art and cultural events organization, on its website. The Waldport and Yachats chambers of commerce are also supporting the effort.
“I wanted to encourage young people to show their art and get involved,” said Bader. She was also inspired to create the show and contest by her late partner, Tony Klein. He died in May 2022. “He loved children; I’m doing the show partly to honor him, and to keep the love going.”
Noting that it’s sometimes difficult to get funding for the arts in public schools, the Yachats resident said the event is “something I wanted to do for the community.”
The two divisions are broken down by age — and not school grade — to encourage homeschooled teens as well as their public school counterparts to participate.
“All the entrants’ work will be displayed in my gallery, so people can see how talented kids in this community are,” Bader said. “It’s about young people getting involved in the arts.”
A panel of two independent judges will judge the show. Artists will have the opportunity to sell their works during the event. Awards will be given for first, second and third places, as well as honorable mention and “People’s Choice Awards” in the two divisions.
Proceeds from the event will benefit young people interested in the arts.
— Cheryl Romano/YachatsNews
What a wonderful, wonderful thing to do. I hope there’s a huge response from all the young artists here. Thank you Donna, and blessings to your dear Tony as he lives on through this event.