Kinney-Lindstrom Gallery
July 3 – September 23, 2026

Area Show: 50 is now open at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City.  The competition for this exhibition was open to all artists above high school age residing within 100 miles of Mason City, encompassing North Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota.  Each entrant was eligible to submit up to two artworks of any media for consideration.  This year’s show drew a total of 114 entries by 62 artists.  The final exhibition includes 36 works by 35 artists.  

Entering artists are competing for the opportunity to have their work exhibited and for cash awards.  The artist with the entry chosen Best in Show will be given a solo exhibition in the Museum’s Center Space Gallery in 2027.  Three artists will receive the $250 Excellence Awards, two will received the Merit Awards at $100 each, and a $50 Most Daring Award will be given.  The juror for Area Show: 50 is Kong Ho, Associate Professor of Art at North Iowa Area Community College.

This year’s Area Show will have an awards program and artist reception on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 11 a.m.  Awards will be announced and presented at 11:30 a.m.  This lively reception celebrating the exhibition will provide a wonderful chance for the public to meet and converse with the artists.  This event is free and open to all those who wish to attend.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Area Show: 50 is sponsored by the David & Phyllis Murphy Charitable Foundation and will remain on view in the Museum’s Kinney-Lindstrom Gallery through September 23.  Admission is free and open to the public.  Please visit the Museum’s website, macniderart.org, for the most up to date visitor information.  You can also call the Museum at 641-421-3666.