Barton Community College Art Instructor Steve Dudek has been accepted into the National Watercolor USA 2012 Art Exhibition. The exhibit will be displayed June 9 through August 5 at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Mo.  
The show was juried by Miranda Lash, curator of modern and contemporary art at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
This marks the fourth time Dudek has been accepted into this exhibit.
“Between 500 to 1,000 people try to get into this exhibit, and they only pick around 100,” he said. “I was honored to be selected.”
Dudek entered a painting of koi fish entitled “Christie’s Koi.” He often uses koi fish as subjects in his paintings.
“They have amazing colors,” he said. “They present a unique opportunity to play with light, color and movement.”
Dudek has also been awarded the Signature Auction Juried Award for his entry into the 2012 Signature Auction for the Smoky Hills Public Television station. The auction was held April 21-22 and Dudek’s painting was sold for $800.  
The winner was chosen by a panel of three jurors. Dudek’s submission was a watercolor painting of lilies in an iris patch.
Many artists in the area donate art work for the annual televised auction to help support the station.
Dudek said he was honored to receive the recognition, but that he is mostly glad he can utilize his talents to help out others.
“This is our way to help support a very important part of our community,” he said.  “It’s nice to be able to give something back and allow them to benefit from something that I enjoy doing.”