MONROE - The 2010 Wisconsin Regional Arts Program workshop was held Feb. 27 at the Monroe Arts Center. The state and honorable mention award winners were announced. Special guest artist and judge, Kathleen D'Angelo of Monticello, chose a total of 17 artists to receive these awards. This was the 23rd consecutive year the Monroe Arts Center hosted the program for non-professional artists. The program is co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Liberal Studies.

Area recipients of the State Award were: Susan Ivanko and Joe Simonette, Monroe, and Darra Porter, Brodhead.

Area artists given Honorable Mention awards were: Robert Beinema, Adair Najat, and Joan Stackpole, all of Monroe, and Roger Dorneden, Apple River, Ill.

All State Award winning artworks selected at each of the Wisconsin regional exhibit locations this past year will again be judged at the annual State Art Exhibition and Conference on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Pyle Center in Madison. The Wisconsin Regional Artists Association, private individuals, and local art clubs fund the numerous cash and service awards presented at the state conference. These awards include the James Schwalbach Creativity Award, Lodi Art Club Award, Ada Biddick Award, Certificate of Merit Awards, and many others.

For more information contact the Monroe Arts Center at 325-5700 or visit www.monroeartscenter.com.