Local artist wins state fair art award

FOSTORIA — Another year is just that.It's a new time with new situations.Rural Fostoria artist Jennifer Sowders can attest to it in terms of one of her works with hopes that lightning may strike twice in the same place in 2026.Her watercolor and ink creation titled "Dear Children" last year was not accepted into the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition in Columbus for 2024.This year, though, the depiction of her great nephew in her MON Gallery and Art Studio — MON stands for Middle of Nowhere — was not only accepted, but it earned the Connie-Layne Drawing Excellence Award."Dear Children" was one of four pieces Sowders had accepted into the fair exhibit this year — a personal-high number — and she learned of the award at last week's Fine Arts Exhibition opening ceremony.Her artist statement for "Dear Children," which is posted on the wall next to her art, reads:"In spending time with my great niece and nephew, I was reminded of how they are little sponges and pick up on every little thing. This rumination inspired "Dear Children" as I processed the following Biblical statement and wanted to include it in a tangible way by having a child examine it: 'Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.'"I have been painting watercolors on YUPO (synthetic paper) since discovering it during COVID(-19). The paint dries upon the surface instead of soaking in, giving it a vibrant/luminous appearance. Since the surface is essentially 'plastic,' it is treated much differently than traditional paper. I painted, splattered, dry-brushed, scraped and utilized elaborate masking in this piece."While the piece will be on display at the fair, any prospective buyers will discover that Sowders' sister has already purchased the piece.One of the pieces Sowders entered but was not accepted was "Put on Nature," a mixed-media installation piece that she said took her 88.5 hours to finish. "It consists of a full sheet of birch plywood that leans up against a wall with a life-sized cut-out doll outfit and accessories, while the freestanding 'doll' stands before it for a footprint of 96''x48''x"72," Sowders wrote in an email.Sowders debuted the piece at the May Findlay ArtWalk in the atrium of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. It integrates her enjoyment of fall as a landscape with the inclusion of her niece as a model.This year's theme for the show is "fashion," with special awards being available for adherence, and while Sowders said she typically doesn't "mess with" the theme, she does like fashion and liked working in the nostalgia of cut-out dolls."I've got to admit feeling a little bruised in that the one I spent so much time on, and have a special connection with, was not accepted," Sowders wrote in an email. "With word of my award, and being that "Dear Children" didn't get in last year, I am comforted in remembering (Fine and Youth Arts Coordinator) Flint (Garrabrant) telling me to be sure and enter "Put on Nature" into next year's fair. And, yes, I do roll my eyes in that the theme won't match perfectly for next year, but it's a testament that many artists understand ... that you never know how a jury will curate ... so never give up! Something about beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... right?? I think it's important to chase after the things you love and are inspired by. Not everyone will understand, but when you find the ones that do, it makes it all worth the while."Single-day tickets to the fair are $8 each, while multi-day passes (three days for $20; 12 days for $75) are available exclusively online at www.ticketmaster.com/OhioStateFair. Parking may also be purchased in advance or online for $10.