For 33 years, the Ironton Artists Association has been showcasing Tri-State artists in an annual art exhibit.

Artists from Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia have entered this year’s Oct. 6 event and about 50 artists are expected.

Fine art categories include oils/thick acrylics, water media/thin acrylics, drawing media, mixed media, collage and photography.

Ribbons and prizes will be awarded with the “Best of Show” winner in both the fine art and photography with ribbons and $150. Ribbons and $50 also will be given for first place in each of the seven categories.

Besdies the prizes, area businesses and individuals have provided purchase awards. This donation entitles the donor to choose a painting or photograph and all of the donation will go to the artist with no commission taken on the sale.

“We have 10 purchase awards ranging from $100 to $200,” said member Pati Payne. “If donors can’t make it, the judges will choose the painting or photograph.”

An art professor and a photography professor from Ohio University in Athens will be judging the art.

“Each artist must bring their own easel or some way of displaying their work,” Payne said. “There’s plenty of parking, restrooms, and the church is fixing lunches to sell for a small price.”

The special category this year is “Simply Water.”

“A few years ago we started to decide on a special theme,” she said. “We’ve had historical landmarks before and umbrellas and boots. This year we were thinking about water — if somebody wanted to do something about rain or anything about water would qualify.”

Participating artists will also be eligible for door prize drawings. Gift certificates have been donated from local businesses.

The exhibit will be at the Central Christian Church, 1541 S. Seventh St., Ironton, and open to the public from noon-4 p.m.

Entries are open to artists and art guilds in the Tri-State area, but artists must be 18 years and older.

Artist registration is from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The awards presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $15 and includes four pieces in the regular categories and one additional entry for the special category.

For more information, contact one of the following IAA members: Pati Payne at (740) 533-1516, Clarice Kumlin at (740) 867-6152, Lily Dickens at (740) 532-9197, Helen Sellers at (740) 442-0224 or Mary Effie Ford at (740) 533-0666.