|
 As
usual, there were hundreds of outstanding entries.
For visual arts, participants may use various media like paper,
clay, leather, fiber, wood, chalk, carbon/pigment, glass/plastic,
metal, and nature to produce their art. Art can even be 3D or
computer generated.
Non-original arts are created from either kits, pre-printed designs,
or pre-molded pieces.
Original arts are designs created completely by the exhibitor.
Other projects included animal science, career/leadership, general
entomology, floriculture, horticulture and photography.
Judges score the visual arts entries on correct use of design
elements, principles, expressive elements and technique in addition
to craftsmanship, creativity and inventiveness.
Both during and after judging, judges make comments
telling participants where they did well while also discussing how
and where they could improve. Little details can be significant.
Some 4-H members did several projects using various media and
entered both visual and non-visual projects, while others focused on
one or two projects.
Though many have been working on their projects for a few months,
others started projects the last few weeks. Participants included
those who are just starting out in 4-H and those who have been in
4-H for several years. For some, 4-H has been a family tradition for
many generations.
One example of someone whose family has long been
involved in 4-H is Luke Wibben. Though it is his first year in 4-H,
his great grandmother Grace Wibben said Luke is the fifth generation
in his family to be involved in 4-H. Luke did seven projects
including visual arts, stained, nature and wildlife and said he has
worked on the projects all summer.
Nine-year-old Gage Jones is also in his first year of
4-H after participating in Cloverbuds. He did four projects
including woodworking, electricity, cooking and vegetables. Later in
the week, he will be showing animals.
Another first year 4-Her is nine-year-old Whitney Beisiegel, who
focused on an animal science display. Whitney said she has been
working on her project all year.
Though in her early years of 4-H, Ella Hasty is the
third generation in her family to participate in it. Ella created a
poster on horses and skills to learn. She has been working on the
project all year, though she said the poster was just done in the
past few days.
[to top of second column] |
In her second year of 4-H, Carly Zelhart did visual
arts projects made of clay and of paper, a photography project and
cooking.
Junior Miss Ellie Wrage, who is in her sixth year of
4-H, managed to find time to do six projects even with all her
obligations as Junior Miss.
After eight years in 4-H, Alex Steffens, who recently graduated from
high school, has done numerous projects over the years. Alex said he
has done a little bit of everything when it comes to projects, but
this year his focus is on a leadership project besides participating
in floriculture. Though Alex has one more year left in which he is
eligible to participate in 4-H, his many years of entering projects
is nearing the end.
Among some veteran judges, there were also a few new judges.
One first year judge was Ronda Shelton, who is a
professional photographer. As she judges photography projects,
Shelton said she focuses on their knowledge and loves hearing the
kids’ passion for photography.
Rhonda Ethell is another first year judge of the
visual arts. To her, creativity is very important. Though judges
have a list to follow for scoring, Ethell said she asks participants
several questions about their projects.
The event used to include all county 4-H participants arriving at
the same time and waiting to be judged, which made the judging area
loud and crowded, though quite organized. Changes in the past few
years eliminated those challenges with area 4-H clubs now arriving
by club at varying times throughout the morning.
As expected, the visual, non-visual arts and general projects
section highlighted the talents and creativity of many children from
around Logan County.
Winning entries will be on display in the Expo building throughout
the week of the fair.
[Angela Reiners with photos by
Reiners and Lesleigh Bennett] |
