Local artist David Alexander serves as judge for Springfield ALPLM art contest

[February 19, 2015]  LINCOLN - Each year the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum hosts a kid’s art contest in January. This year in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the contest, the Museum sought participants from all over the state with the deadline for entries being January 30th.

Locally, David Alexander, known for his magnificent stained-glass art was chosen to serve on the panel of judges for the contest.

Alexander said it was a great experience, and that he was extremely honored to be invited to judge. He said that there were 1,241 entries this year from some terrific young artists.

The contest was open to children ages kindergarten through 12th grade. Submissions were divided into three classes by grade levels: Kindergarten - Fifth, Sixth - Eighth, and Ninth - 12th. Entries were to be themed to go along with the 10th Anniversary of the museum.

The winning art will be displayed at the Museum in April to coincide with several events including the anniversaries of the end of the Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

In June of 2013, Alexander was accepted as a juried artist by the Illinois Artisans. As such, he can display his creations in state museums such as the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago and at the Southern Illinois Art and Artisan Center at Rend Lake.

Locally, one of Alexander’s pieces can be viewed at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Five Doves was commissioned by Alan and Barb Kline for the hospital. It is located on the second floor of the hospital, across from the public elevators.

Alexander is a local realtor. He and wife Sonnie own the Coldwell Banker Cornerstone real estate business located in the Regions Bank building in Lincoln. There, one can see many examples of Alexander’s stained-glass.

With a degree in architecture, some of Alexander’s favorite pieces combines his love of art and architecture. A fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, Alexander has a glass production of Wright's famous design, Fallingwater House, and has also depicted the Guggenheim Museum in New York in glass.

[Nila Smith]