Art for the people

Like to flex your creative muscle every now and then, but you’re not sure if your work is any good? Sure, your mom thinks your bunny paintings are great, but maybe you’d like to know if others do, too?

Here’s a great way to find out: Display at the 39^th Annual Lakewood/East Dallas Art Show at the Lakewood Branch Library. It’s where amateurs and professionals from our area submit their artwork for judging and viewing, in a show that has remained popular for nearly 40 years.

          With so many art shows in the area, what keeps this one going so long?

“People just love to show their art,” says Anne Courtin-Williams, Lakewood resident and art show committee chair. “It’s human nature, that if you do something, and you’re proud of your work, you like to share it with others. And we hang everything we’re given.”

Submitted art will be displayed in the library’s auditorium throughout the month of May, beginning Monday, May 5. First, second and honorable mention ribbons will be given in five categories: painting, photography, work on paper, print, craft and sculpture. A Best of Show ribbon will be awarded the artwork judged best out of all five categories.

Williams invites everyone from the neighborhood to come see the display, and she also invites area adults to submit their originals, saying you never know what might happen.

Take the story of her masseuse, Karen Anderson. After Williams persuaded her to enter a painting in the show, it ended up winning first prize in its category. Since then, Anderson has also won the best of show award and has had her art included as part of a rotating library exhibit.