The Barton Arts Movement volunteers are excited about a special partnership with the new Big Bend Bash event sponsored by Great Bend Alive and the City of Great Bend! This year on the first Saturday in June, Big Bend Bash will fill the streets of downtown Great Bend, Kansas with activities for all ages. In addition to Great Bend Alive and the City of Great Bend's scheduled events, BAM will host a special pop-up art walk and contest called "Big Bend Art Walk," previously "Art Alley," to showcase talent from Kansas artists and create added entertainment for visitors. This will be the 4th year for the grassroots art competition. 

Kansas artists will be selected to showcase their work in front of a large audience, and guests will get to vote on their favorite pieces. The artist who receives the most votes will be presented with a BAMMY People's Choice Award and public recognition. They may also have the option to be commissioned for a small-scale mural version of their artwork if they're interested and able to do so, but that is not required to enter. Artists must live in Kansas to be considered.

Any artists interested in participating need to complete a 16x20" canvas and fill out the Artist Entry Form (coming soon) by May 21, 2025, to be considered. New this year, participants can join with a group entry. This category was created to invite daycares and elementary classes to participate with all of their children presenting a class theme (individual entries are accepted for elementary ages and up). From there, volunteers will select the entries to be showcased during "Big Bend Art Walk" on June 7th and those artists will be notified. Canvases to be displayed must be delivered to the Golden Belt Community Foundation office (1307 Williams Street, Great Bend) May 19-21, 2025 during GBCF normal office hours. BAM Volunteers will transport the artwork to the "Big Bend Art Walk" event and display them for the public to browse and vote upon.

After the event, artists are required to pick up their canvas between 6-7 p.m. on June 7, 2025, after "Big Bend Art Walk" voting has closed. The winner will be announced LIVE on the spot at the Big Bend Bash event in front of the crowd!

Submit Art Entry Below

Deadline for form submissions is May 20, 2025.

Selected artists must deliver their canvas to GBCF between May 19-21, 2025.

BAM is driven by volunteers and operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Golden Belt Community Foundation, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Learn more about our work at www.BartonArtsMovement.com.