Art contest salutes veterans
Seventeen patriotic works of art will be featured in store windows along Montgomery's First Street, starting Memorial Day.
The artwork is part of the city's first-ever Windows for Veterans contest, which aims to salute veterans, spotlight artists, decorate downtown, and encourage patronage of local businesses.
Maps featuring the locations of the artwork will be available during the 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day program at the Montgomery American Legion on Monday, May 28.
Following the program, maps will be available at Montgomery's Arts and Heritage Center (open Thursday and Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.), Herrmann Drug, LaNette's Coffee, and David's Montgomery Oil.
On the back of each map is a ballot. Everyone is invited to vote for their favorite piece of art and return the ballot to a participating business. The art piece receiving the most votes prior to Kolacky Days 2018 will receive the People's Choice Award and a $700 prize. Voters' names will be entered into a drawing for two $25 prizes.
"A grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is making this possible, and has allowed for some nice prizes for the top artists," explained Maureen Gunderson of the Arts and Heritage Center. "In addition to the People's Choice Award, a team of art teachers--current and retired--will judge all of the pieces and will award $1,000 to the first-place artist, $500 to the second-place artist, and $250 to the third-place artist."
Contest winners will be announced during Kolacky Days, but the artwork will remain on display until Memorial Day 2019.
See more in the print edition.