Events and Activities : Art Display and Voting at the Library

Vinton's Big Read Art Contest has come to a close, and all of the 41 entries received will be on display at the Vinton Public Library from January 7, 2026 through January 17th.

The community is invited to stop in and view the artwork and vote on the piece they like best. The winner of the Community Vote will receive a $100 cash prize! A judges committee will also be awarding first, second, and third place prizes, with all winners announced at the library on Saturday, January 17th at 11:00 am.

Of the 41 submissions, 15 were from local high school students as well as one from a student from another community.

The Big Read Art Contest was undertaken by the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Vinton Public Library, Benton County Conservation, and the Palace Theater, as part of the year-long Big Read initiative during which the entire community is invited to read the book, “Bewilderment”, by Richard Powers. Free copies are available at the library and at selected locations around town.

Numerous activities are happening as part of the project, all of which are listed on the library's website at www.vinton.lib.ia.us.

Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Support has also been provided the Charles and Helen Yundt Charitable Foundation and the Friends of the Vinton Public Library.