Photo provided. Vietnam Veteran Edward Green of Dillonvale with his oil painting is called I Don't Bite.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Stifle Art Center and the city will host a “Spirit of America” — 250th Anniversary of America art show at the Unified Bank Jr. Rec Center.

The enrollment deadline for artists is 4:30 p.m. April 20. After registering, artwork must be dropped off at the Jr. Rec Center on April 22 or 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be open April 24-27 from 5 to 9 p.m. A ribbon presentation will be held April 25 from noon to 2 p.m.

Artists may enter two pieces of artwork per medium and up to two mediums per artist. All artwork must fit the theme “Spirit of America — 250th Anniversary of America.”

Artists must provide their own display or easel if needed. Tables will be provided for tabletop work.

Artwork and other merchandise may not be sold on city property during the event, but business cards may be displayed for post-event contact.

Submitted artwork must be ready for display and labeled with the artist’s name, title and medium before arrival. Artists must deliver and remove their work by April 27.

St. Clairsville administrative assistant Jenn McMillen said artists eligible to enter the show must be within a 20-mile radius to ensure only local artists are showcased.

She added the city is excited to continue collaborating with Stifle Art Center.

“We’re trying to bring art to the city. Stifle Art Center is trying to expand their programs and use the buildings to do some more things here, instead of having to travel to the bigger cities,” McMillen said.

Left of Center Improv will perform April 24 at 7 p.m., and attendees should be 16 or older due to possible mature subject matter.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman said she is excited to see artists’ interpretations of their love for the country.

“As artists, we all have different interpretations of what our country means to us,” Thalman said.

“I’m excited to see what people put out here to celebrate America. And it could be a favorite animal painting, a landscape, a person, an activity. It’s a pretty broad category because we want to see the talent and we want to see it tied into Happy Birthday to America.”

She added she believes the event is great for the community because it showcases the city’s artistic side.

“We’re very blessed because we have such a strong art community in St. Clairsville and we want to showcase the talent here,” Thalman said. “We are certainly known as a sports town but we’re making some inroads with showcasing our art side. So this is a great chance for the public to come out and see what our artists do.”