Downtown Pittsburg is bringing back a Halloween tradition

Pittsburg, KS – For many years, merchants in Downtown Pittsburg offered their store window as a blank canvas for young artists to paint during Halloween. This annual fall tradition of window painting fell by the wayside for more than a decade but is now being revived with the help of local businesses and organizations.

Thanks to Ryan Insurance, the Downtown Advisory Board, The Morning Sun and ArtForms Gallery, Downtown businesses can again have their windows painted by school-aged children for Halloween.

The Halloween Window Painting Contest will take place this October and encourages kids ages 5-12 to compete and show off their artistic talents. Downtown merchants can register along with their own artists (kids, grandkids, customers, and friends) or request to be assigned to an artist who will paint their window.

All painting materials will be provided FREE to artists thanks to Ryan Insurance. Window painting will be completed by Friday, Oct. 19, just in time for the PSU Homecoming Parade. All participating businesses and artists will be highlighted in the Morning Sun as part of a special newspaper insert, which will be published the week of Oct. 21.

How to Participate!

Business Guidelines:

· Up to 50 businesses can register to participate this year.

· Deadline to register – Wednesday, Oct. 9.

· Cost is $35 for custom print ad in the Morning Sun (featuring a photo of the youth artist and business information).

· Downtown Pittsburg businesses can register online (Downtown Facebook page or City of Pittsburg website) or call the Community Development Department at 620-230-5637.

· Businesses can select their own youth artist (ages 5-12), or request to be connected to an artist to paint their window.

Artist Guidelines:

· Open to young artists ages 5-12 years.

· Two age categories are included: 5-8 and 9-12. A winner will be chosen in each age category.

· Artist supplies will be picked up at ArtForms Gallery at 620 N. Broadway Street, Pittsburg KS. Pickup for materials will be Monday, Oct. 14 – Thursday, Oct. 17 between 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

· Windows must be painted by 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 17. Judging will take place Friday, Oct. 18.

· Winners noted with a ribbon design on their Morning Sun ad, and special posts on the Downtown Pittsburg social media pages.

For questions about this event or signing up your child to be an artist, please contact City of Pittsburg Community Development Specialist Sarah Runyon at 620-230-5637 or email sarah.runyon@pittks.org.

Register Here

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