Anita Lewandowski is superintendent of the Visual Arts area in the Open Class division at the Nebraska State Fair, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Anita Lewandowski sees a wide range of entries in her role as superintendent of the Visual Arts area in the Open Class division at the Nebraska State Fair.
This is Lewandowski’s 10th year in the position. The Visual Arts area is located toward the west end of the building that is the city’s Field House most of the year and houses 4-H/FFA exhibits during the State Fair.
A trend she is seeing this year in artwork is the use of recycled materials such as tires. For instance, one 3-D piece has a dog on a bike, and the dog is made from old tires.
“A lot of people are using ‘found’ items in their work,” Lewandowski said.
“I get to meet the neatest people – the exhibitors, the volunteers,” she said.
Lewandowski said there are exhibitors that come back year after year. She estimated that there are almost 800 entries in this year’s Visual Arts area. She estimated that about 50 to 55 volunteers will help her before the State Fair in preparation work and during the 11 days of the State Fair.
The Visual Arts area draws entrants of all ages. There is a division for exhibitors older than 75 years old.
Entries range from paintings and drawings to an embossed leather saddle. One entry is a handmade wood kayak.
Lewandowski met one exhibitor in her 70s who has entered the State Fair every year since she was 10 years old, except for one year when she was pregnant and had a baby within days of the State Fair.
The exhibitors also range from amateurs to professional artists.
There’s even an area with entries from residents of the Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney.
So when you’re ready to spend some time indoors, head over to the Visual Arts area at the Nebraska State Fair.
