WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Artists from across Knox County have been recognized following the 2026 Art at the Park community art competition and exhibition, a summer showcase celebrating local creativity at the historic CA&C Visitor Center in Mount Vernon.
Presented by the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance, this year’s exhibition featured artists of different ages and experience levels, with entries spanning two- and three-dimensional artwork. The exhibition opened with a public reception July 10 and remained on display through the summer.
The competition was designed to give local artists an opportunity to showcase their work while also allowing the community to take part through the Community Choice Award.
Judges evaluated entries based on craftsmanship, technique, creativity and the overall process behind each piece. The 2026 judging panel included Margaret Allotey-Pappoe, professor of graphic design and division chair at Mount Vernon Nazarene University; Christina Biggerstaff, an art teacher with Mount Vernon City Schools; and Robin Nordmoe, a pottery instructor at Kenyon College.
Pre-K Through Eighth Grade
The youngest division highlighted two Mount Vernon artists.
Ainsley Stump, age 7, received the 2-D award for Crab on the Beach. Stump’s artwork showcased the imagination and creativity at the heart of the community exhibition.
The 3-D award went to 12-year-old Reagan Stump for Pop Tart Pillow Collection. Reagan’s colorful and playful piece brought an unconventional subject into the three-dimensional category.
Ninth Through 12th Grade
In the high-school division, Brinley Smith received the 2-D award for Dreamland.
Smith’s work draws inspiration from science fiction, fantasy and color, incorporating mediums including watercolor, acrylic and ink. Her artwork explores imagination, emotion and storytelling.
The 3-D award went to Lucas Read for A Silent Watcher.
Read, who is beginning his high-school career as a mostly homeschooled student, has interests ranging from soccer and beekeeping to woodworking and building combat robots. His winning piece reflects the hands-on creativity that extends across many of his interests.
Adult Division
The adult 2-D award went to Kathleen Goode for Ginkgo.
Goode is an interpretive and realistic fiber artist, printmaker and painter whose work is heavily influenced by nature, folklore and cultural legends.
Her artistic work spans several mediums, including fiber arts, tapestry weaving, felted sculpture, reduction lino printmaking and painting.
Goode said her artwork represents her appreciation for the natural world and the inspiration she draws from it.
The adult 3-D award went to Dudley G. Thomas for 4-Hole Bowl.
Thomas, a Mansfield native with a background in chemistry, developed his woodworking skills through years of experimentation and self-directed learning.
His approach emphasizes the natural characteristics of wood, often combining different species and allowing the grain, color and shape of the material to influence the finished piece.
Community Chooses Roots of Liberty
While a panel of judges selected the juried winners, the Community Choice Award gave visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to select their favorite artwork.
The community selected James Allen Leitz’s watercolor Roots of Liberty as the 2026 winner.
Leitz has worked with watercolor for approximately 30 years and has pursued the medium more consistently during the past decade. He said he enjoys watercolor because of its challenging nature and the opportunity it provides for interpretation and storytelling.
His work has also included teaching watercolor lessons locally, including at Kudos Art Co-Op.
The Art at the Park exhibition gave residents an opportunity not only to view Leitz’s work but to cast a vote for it as their favorite piece.
The exhibition’s organizers say the event demonstrates the depth and diversity of artistic talent throughout Knox County.
Natalie Roth, marketing and development specialist with the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said one of the most rewarding aspects was seeing artists from different generations and experience levels share their work with the community.
Art at the Park was created as a celebration of that broad creative community, bringing together emerging artists, established artists and young people who are just beginning to explore their artistic interests.
The 2026 exhibition was held at the CA&C Visitor Center, 501 South Main Street in Mount Vernon, providing a gallery setting for the community competition.
The event is presented as part of the area’s broader effort to showcase local arts and cultural attractions and encourage residents and visitors to experience the creative work being produced throughout Knox County.
