By Andi Bedsworth

The Powerhouse Gallery series, which has been operating for many years now, has announced its lineup for the year. The series provides gallery and exhibition space for local artists in the area who want to show and sell their work. Applications are taken once a year, and artists are selected for various themed shows.

These artists then have months to complete work for their selected slots. This is a way to give inspiration, time to plan, create and execute new work for artists in the community.

The show in March will be a Youth Exhibition Show. This very popular show spotlights work from local school children who get to display their work in a professional way in a real gallery space.

A reception geared for them and their families is held at the end of the month-long exhibition.

Drop off date for their work will be Friday, March 3. Each child can enter one work. Children must be a resident of the city of Oxford or Lafayette County and attend a local school. Artwork will be judged based on age categories with an emphasis on originality.

The announcement of awards will take place during the reception on Tuesday, March 28 in conjunction with the Art Crawl. The show is sponsored by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and the Oxford Artists’  Guild.

Other shows this year include an April exhibit that features the addition of new works for the Yokna Sculpture Trail and a second Double Decker Bus for the art crawl.

In May, will be the Who Dunnit? Show, which will include unsigned works by about 15 artists. The fun begins when attendees attempt to guess which artists created which works. Artists will be revealed during the reception which will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

In June, the Bicentennial Show will be a part of the Mississippi Bicentennial celebration with a community event at the Ford Center June 24. Through a special grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council stipends will be provided to artist to offer demonstrations and workshops during the month.

During July, the Community Supported Art program which features five local artists will have an exhibition of the work created by the artists who were funded to create new work by the community. Projects from each artist will vary and will be announced at a launch party for the program in March.

August brings the Name your Nonprofit show.  Local artists are often asked to donate art for charitable auctions each year. This show was created so the artist can select the non-profit they wish a portion of the proceeds of their work will benefit.

The commission charged by the Arts Council will be donated to the charity they select. Artists can elect to donate more than the minimum 15 percent commission if they choose.

This fun line-up of shows at the Powerhouse means more fun for all the art lovers in our community, so keep your eyes peeled for more details on these and more.

Andi Bedsworth is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.