Eldorado Library displays Town & Country Days art

The meeting room of Eldorado Memorial Eldorado Library is featuring its annual display of Town & Country Days Art Contest Exhibits.

From Best of Show to 10th place, the exhibits that line the walls, tables and even shelves showcasing some of Southern Illinois' best amateur talent. Organized by artist Janet Bixler the display features works of the Little Egypt Arts Association of Marion, the Southeastern Illinois College Senior Art Class and locals unaffiliated with an art group.

"Every year the Friends of the Eldorado Library sponsored the art contest, open to all ages," Library Director Felicia Murray said.

From oil to acrylics and fibers to sculptures, there is a wide variety to amaze library visitors.

The majority of the display consists of landscape paintings, many of scenes familiar to Southern Illinois residents. One depicts the old Orpheum Theater on Fourth Street in Eldorado, one is of the old Pauper House that is now the museum of the Saline Creek Pioneer Village and Museum and one is titled "Table Rock" reminding viewers of the Garden of the Gods area topography.

The artwork has been judged and many of the pieces display a ribbon beside them.

There will be an art reception 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21, the day following Town & Country Days in Eldorado and the artwork will be taken down then. The room on Sept. 25 will be displaying works of Ron Watson of Mount Vernon and on Oct. 5 will host a book signing by his wife, Rusty Watson.