MIDDLEPORT — Plans are moving forward for the annual Riverbend Arts Council’s annual Art in the Park exhibit to take place on Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Diles Park in Middleport.

Rhojean McClure, chairman, reminds exhibitors that it is time to get their entries registered. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Entry forms with fees of $2 per piece to be exhibited are to be mailed to the Riverbend Arts Council, P. O. Box 27, Middleport, Ohio 45760. Checks are to be made payable to the Riverbend Arts Council.With questions or for registration forms call Rhojean McClure at (740) 992 3842.

The Art in the Park project is supported in part by a $2,250 grant from the Ohio River Border initiative, a joint project of the Ohio Arts Council and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

A portion of the grant was designated for funding a children’s summer program in July called “Art Adventure” held in Middleport, Mason, W. Va. and Pomeroy. Bobbi DeLong of Pomeroy was the art instructor for the children’s classes. A display of projects completed by in the three sessions held will be featured at the Art in the Park show.

McClure advises that in the event of rain, the show will be held in the Riverbend Arts Council building at 290 N. Second Ave., in Middleport.

The categories for exhibit are oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawing to include graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, and ink and a category for mixed mediums. such as watercolor with ink lines, a collage or oil over acrylic paint.

The classes for photography, where computer enhanced photos are not permitted, are landscape and other than landscape.

All art pieces must be ready to hang and everything except paintings on gallery canvas, including canvas board, must be framed, McClure said. Photographs, watercolor and drawings must be mated, framed, and have a protective cover, such as glass or plexiglass. Photographs must be an original taken by the artist no smaller than 5 x7.

The entries will be judged and cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded. The criteria used in the judging will be composition, perspective, individuality, control of the medium, presentation, control of color and values, a clear sense of the light source, and knowledge of the subject matter.

First, second and third places in each category will be awarded cash prizes. A best of show winner will receive a rosette ribbon and $25 in cash, while the reserve best of show will receive a rosette and $20.

All art must be pre-registered and delivered to the Train Depot at Diles Park between 2 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 23. On the day of the show, art needs to be picked up by 5:30 p.m.

The award winning art pieces will be a part of a month-long exhibit at the Farmers Bank in Mason, W.Va., and Pomeroy.