"Although I am involved in visual arts, I am aware of the variety of programs offered in music, children’s programs and more. As an artist, I have enjoyed participating in juried arts exhibits. The friendships made, the competition and the encouragement to continue to grow as an artist have been invaluable to me. Most recently I was able to display my paintings in the Maxwell Gallery in the fall of 2023. I had never had a solo exhibit and the Executive Director (Dani Cade) spent a lot of time helping me with everything from using the display system to providing advertising for the exhibit. A wonderful bonus was receiving the Best in Show Award in the Forest Festival Juried Exhibition. The Arts Center can provide generous monetary awards and qualified judges through their association with local businesses. For these reasons, more artists are participating from outside the local area in recent years. I was encouraged to enter my winning painting at the next level of completion online. My painting was awarded second place from five hundred and eighty international entries in the Dakota Pastels Quarterly Contest. It is the most prestigious award I have won and I owe that honor in large part to the Randolph County Arts Center" - Teresa Mason, Artist.