SIDNEY — Gateway Arts Council has 26 candidates for its 2017 Bad Art by Good People Art Election and all of them have lives that were impacted by the Shelby County Junior Fair.
This year Gateway has filled the candidate slate with fair enthusiasts.
“This year, voting for a favorite ‘Bad Artist’ will begin at the Shelby County Fair. The theme for all the artwork is My Favorite Memory of the Fair,” said Ellen Keyes, GAC director.
Once Gateway Arts Council reaches its funding goal of $10,000, 50 percent of all proceeds above that amount will go to the Junior Fair Improvement Fund.
“While this event is a fundraiser for both organizations, we envision that it will be a lot more”, said Chris Gibbs, Gateway Arts Council president. “Those of us who are working to make this event happen see it as a way to highlight the impact that junior fair activities have on our young people. 4‑H, Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and the FFCLA help our youth become true leaders by teaching confidence, good work ethics, cooperation and perseverance.”
This year’s Bad Art candidates are Barb Ditmer, Kris Geise, Chad Berning, Lynda Adams, Alan Boogher, Jason Gibbs, Abe Gibbs, Matt Pleiman, Brian Wooddell, Annette Purkey, Nathan Sailor, Cassie Dietrich, Kara Short, Tim Zimpfer, Sarah Heilers, Lindsey Whetstone, Andrea Metz, Derek McCracken, Michael Ward, Jill Smith, Jan Noah, Lindsey Alexander, Carla Schiffke, DiAnne Karas, and Bobbie York.
Local art election candidates will be given blank canvases and partnered with professional artists to create pieces of art. The candidates will not only be creating artworks, they will be fighting for community votes. Once all the artwork is completed, the election process will begin.
During the Bad Art by Good People election, voting will cost $1 per vote and anyone can vote. There are no restrictions on age, geography or number of times a person can vote.
The official Election for the Arts will start at the Shelby County Fair and run through Oct. 5.
Gateway Arts Council will host the Bad Art by Good People Inaugural Ball, Oct. 5, in the Palazzo in Botkins. This ball will feature a dinner and the art will be auctioned. Tickets for the event are $25 per person and can be purchased at Gateway Arts Council, 217 N. Miami Ave., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
