Dear Editor:
Thanks to the Barton County Arts Council (BCAC) for its sponsorship of the 2017 Barton County Arts Council Vortex High School Art Day and Exhibit. Their commitment to this event embodies the desire of its benefactor Bill McKown to promote the future of the visual arts in our community. This year more than 100 high school art students from Barton County and beyond exhibited works of art in a professional venue at the Shafer Gallery.
Most of them attended the BCAC Vortex High School Art Day. During the morning they participated in five workshops designed to enhance their understanding of themselves as artists and of the greater art world. After a pizza lunch they gathered at the Vortex Awards Ceremony where they received extended instructional and inspirational critiques of their works.
I do not believe it is possible to overestimate the value of these kinds of experiences to the social, intellectual and professional development of young artists. Without support from the BCAC, the quality workshops, practical guidance and awards given as encouragement to both teachers and their students would have been impossible.
The same can be said for community focused companies such as CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, sponsors of the CUNAE Mutual Art and Science Encounters Series at the Shafer Gallery. Their generous support enabled us to deliver The Geometry of Beauty math- and art-making workshop to students in more than 18 venues.
We live in a time when community, public and private entities must rise up to stand in the gap if the richness of our cultural institutions and heritage are to flourish and survive. The Arts are a dialogue we have among ourselves about who we are and what we value. These folks have entered the conversation with enthusiasm and support.
Thank you so much!

Dave Barnes
Director Shafer Memorial Gallery