For two years, the Margaret Harwell Art Museum has hosted the 4-H Animal Art exhibit free of charge and provided an ice cream social at the opening reception. The Southeast Missouri 4-H Program extended its gratitude by awarding the museum with its Platinum Sponsorship award during the gallery opening.
Museum Director Steve Whitworth said the recognition was “totally unexpected.”
“We do this gladly to share the museum with our community. This isn’t our museum, this is your museum, and it’s for the whole area and we’re very proud to have it here in Poplar Bluff. We’re thrilled to share it with great organizations like 4-H,” he said
The plaque was presented by retired 4-H specialist Kristy Baker, who first organized the regional 4-H art show.
Wayne County youth program associate Davida Pedigo said platinum sponsors contribute $2,500 in money or in-kind donations to 4-H. In this case, the Southeast Missouri 4-H Program found the amount MHAM spent on food, drinks, and employee compensation more than met the criteria.
“(Whitworth) goes above and beyond, and so does the museum...They’re wonderful hosts,” Pedigo said. The museum even provided the ice cream, toppings and drinks for free.
There are 337 works of art on display this year created by 4-H students across Southeast Missouri. Pedigo and Stoddard County youth program associate Zenita Smith helped set them up before the reception, which was attended by over 200 people. Pedigo explained the regional art show is open to all youth, not just 4-H students, and the MHAM exhibit comprises the judges’ winners and people’s choice pieces for all local and county shows. For scale, the Wayne County show had around 300 entries.
Pedigo enjoys seeing the pride on students’ faces be featured in the final exhibit. The project teaches them more than just how to draw animals, she noted.
“What they learn is one, they have hidden talent, and two, it shows them leadership because they have to take responsibility for their own work and follow the rules,” she said.
Whitworth looked forward to future 4-H collaborations. “We’re thrilled to work with them and give them the space they need to showcase their work, and it’s fun that the kids get to have their works displayed.”
4-H Animal Art is on exhibit through Sept. 12 in the museum, which is located at 421 N. Main St. in Poplar Bluff. Hours and more information are available by calling 573-686-8002.