Complex sculptures and impressionistic paintings have been moved from the spotlight at the Barton County Arts Center this month, replaced with the media of youth. Now, crayons and construction paper take their rightful place for the annual "Watching Young Artists Grow" exhibition.

The Barton County Arts Center, located at 1401 Main in Great Bend, is open weekday afternoons. For the month of April, BCAC is showing the work of elementary and middle school students. The public is invited to attend a reception for this exhibit on Sunday, April 17, from 3-5 p.m., said Karen Neuforth, executive director of the Arts Center.

"The purpose of this exhibit is to show the talents of young people," Neuforth said. Art instructors county-wide were invited to submit works by students in grades K through 8, but only Great Bend Unified School District 428 chose to participate this year.

Elementary art instructors Melissa Watson and Shannon Wedel, and instructor Alisha Frazer from Great Bend Middle School, brought about 300 pieces to the exhibit. Works by students are featured each month at the District Education Center, 201 Patton Road, Wedel said. These represent some of the best pieces from the entire school year.

The artists may be lacking in experience, but they more than make up for it in imagination and enthusiasm. "I really like the mummies," Neuforth said, pointing out some of the three-dimensional art from Frazer’s students.

Frazer said her students get to learn a bit about drawing and painting, print making, ceramics and sculpture during a nine-week art class. "I focus on the elements and principles of design," she said.