Student art contest returns to Dayton

Students have completed entries for the third-annual art contest organized by Justice of the Peace Bill Rogers of Justice Dayton Court.

He and his staff will collect entries today from every school in Dayton township. They expect about 350 total entries inspired by the theme "Our Home Nevada."

"You oughta see the walls of the courtroom when we have all the artwork up," Rogers said. "Entire walls are covered with paintings by kids."

He organizes the event every year - though not necessarily out of a love for art. "It's more my passion for kids than it is a passion for art," he said. "If we don't get something to get our kids involved, then the future looks pretty glum."

There are five categories, divided by grade: high school students; sixth, seventh and eighth grade; fourth and fifth grade; second and third grade; and kindergarten and first grade.

A trophy will be presented to an overall winner for each category. First-, second- and third-place winners will get ribbons. The judges are a committee of community members.

"Every student who submits art gets a certificate," Rogers said.

A reception is scheduled for the young artists and their families at 7 p.m. on May 14 at the Dayton Justice Court at 235 Main St. Cake and punch will be served.

"It's a riot," Rogers said. "We close the whole street, put all the chairs out there. It's a really fun time for the kids."

The overall winners' art is framed - paid for by the court. Then the piece hangs in the courtroom. Work produced by winners from 2002 and 2003 is still hanging there. When the year is up, artists can choose to take the piece home and keep the frame, or leave it in the courtroom.

"What we're doing is, we're working our way around the room," said Rogers. "I guess after 10 years, we're gonna be full. I don't know what were going to do then."

The art contest has grown every year. Since the beginning, it has been bigger than Rogers expected.

"The first year, we expected about 30 or 40 pieces of art, and we ended up getting about 300," he said.

For details, call 246-6233.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.