The Chanute Public Library has announced the winners of the Tiny Art Contest.
Adult Services and Outreach librarian Chanelle Gontarz said the contest was chosen to align with the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme of “Color our World.”
Participants received a small canvas, paints, and brushes, though some opted to use their own materials, such as yarn or paper in their submissions.
“Contests like this help promote community engagement and creativity in an inclusive way,” Gontarz said. “They also allow for people of all skill levels to take their time with the simple act of creation — something we all need a little more of in our lives.”
Gontarz said the art is on display until September.
“I’m so impressed with the creativity of all of our artists for this show as well as for the other art events we’ve held since the beginning of the year,” Gontarz said.
Christie Davis won second place in the contest with her painting “Evening in Port.”
Davis is a local artist who has dabbled in almost all mediums. She is a retired art educator among several careers.
“There’s really not any forms of art I haven’t tried,” Davis said.
“Evening in Port” was painted with acrylic paint.
Davis said she gains her inspiration through looking through a variety of photos, picking elements to create a new image on the canvas.
“It allows people to get out there and show what they can do, and what they like,” Davis said of contests like this one. “We all need outlets; there are a lot of talented people.”
Davis said she is thankful for Chanute’s art community.
“Anything you can make by hand is an art form,” Davis said. “It’s very therapeutic to go and focus on something that brings you joy.”
First place winner Lauren Cukier has been in Chanute for about a year, and said she forgot how much she enjoyed painting.
“ I don’t make things, especially paintings, as often as I would like. I am primarily a digital artist. I do a lot with logo work and character design. I’d like to get back to doing traditional art more regularly.”
Cukier said she is heavily inspired by ravens, having many raven-themed art pieces around her home.
“We as individuals are no more confined to a defined space than a piece of art is. We were given a four-inch by fourinch square, but we weren’t limited to only that. You just have to get a little creative,” Cukier said. “It’s also why the raven on the canvas and the one I had ‘escaping’ the confines don’t look the same. One is a depiction of how we know them to be, while the other was supposed to be a fun interpretation and not traditional.”
Cukier said participating in the contest was uplifting.
“I am so grateful to the library for all they did this summer in really embracing the theme of Color Our World. They provided many opportunities for people of Chanute to showcase their talents in safe and judgment-free zones. The events provided and this contest bring with them a social aspect, Cukier said. “People get together to chat, have fun, create art together, and talk about it. It is lifting one another up, and that’s what we really should be doing as a community. Every piece that was entered into this contest was unique, like the person who made it. That’s ultimately why this is so important — it reinforces the bonds a community has.”
Other art-centric library events include the upcoming Kansas Music History event on July 12, at 2 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium, Art Trivia Night on July 15, at 6 p.m., at Central Park Pavilion. An Adult Summer Reading Program Art Show will be announced at a later date.
To learn more about the Chanute Public Library, visit https://www.facebook.com/ ChanutePublicLibrary.
“Evening in Port” by Christie Davis won second place. Courtesy Photo
