The young men at Bellewood’s residential campus in Bowling Green have much to brag about — their artwork is now on-display to the public in the gallery of the fellowship hall in The Presbyterian Church.

The gallery which changes each month to display a new portfolio of work from local and regional artists opened Sunday, August 15, with the finer works from the youth at Bellewood.

By funding through a $2,500 grant from Target, the males worked with resident artist, Monica Crawford, for more than a year creating various pieces in a number of media. 

Through Ms. Crawford’s ongoing work, the boys were able to grasp a stronger understanding on the importance of art and self-expression at a time when cultural programs are dwindling in schools across the country.

Located at 1003 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101, the gallery is open to the public 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. – noon on Sunday.  All artwork is for sale at $25, and proceeds go back to Bellewood’s programming.  The gallery will display the art until September 9.

For more information on the display or how to purchase the art, contact Kristy Watt at 270.796.2012 or e-mail her. You can view the art in our photo album on Bellewood’s Facebook page.

Members of the Bowling Green Hot Rods will spend the afternoon with youth at Bellewood Home for Children, a local nonprofit that provides services to struggling young people and families in Kentucky.

Several players will visit the Bellewood campus for lunch on Thursday, August 12 as they meet with the teenage males who are a part of the agency’s residential living facility for youth who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse and neglect. 

In addition to lunch, the players will be sharing stories with the boys about their own struggles and obstacles as well as the importance of education and personal perseverance.

“Helping the community is important to us,” Hot Rods General Manager, Brad Taylor, said.  “We’re happy to give back on a level that can have a positive impact on the lives of these young people who simply seek the guidance, support and love that so many of us take for granted.”

The players will also take photos, answer questions and sign autographs for the young teens.  Part of the idea behind the visit is to inspire the youth at Bellewood to recognize their own strengths in order to set and achieve goals for themselves as teenagers and eventually young adults.  

“All of our kids have been neglected and abused for so long that by the time they come to Bellewood, they’ve lost faith in themselves and sight of any dreams to be a successful adult,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Western Kentucky, Kristy Watt, said.  “Having the Hot Rods come talk to our boys will help remind them that while they haven’t had the fortunes most people have, they still have the tools to achieve what they want in life.”

In conjunction with the visit, Bellewood will be joining the Hot Rods at their home game on Sunday, August 15, at 2 p.m. CT against the Great Lake Loons. 

As a prize to the first 1,000 guests, Bellewood will hand out the Minor League Baseball Association’s annual comic book which brings awareness to nonprofit organizations like Bellewood and ties young audiences closer to charitable agencies.

Additionally, Bellewood will have a corn-hole contest set-up outside the ballpark’s gate. For a $1 entry, people can play for a chance to win a Hot Rods gift package. All the contest participants will win a frosty from Wendy’s, which has been a longtime supporter of Bellewood. 

While at the game, staff will talk to attendees about their upcoming event, BelleWoodstock, a music and song competition for youth in South Central Kentucky as well as what services they offer to young people and families in the area.

“We have a wide range of programs from foster care to mentoring in South Central Kentucky,” Watt said.  “Being a part of community events like the Hot Rods games helps us talk to people who might be interested in learning more about our services.”

Capitalizing on America’s craze for competitive showmanship, Bellewood is launching an exciting event that challenges young bands, musicians and singers in Kentucky to showcase their talents in a competitive setting.  They’re calling the musical extravaganza “BelleWoodstock.”

The fun-filled event takes place Saturday, October 16, at the Capitol Arts Theatre in Bowling Green with country music artist, Clay Underwood, as master of ceremonies. 

“Helping kids and families is at the core of our mission,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Western Kentucky, Kristy Watt, said.  “We wanted to build a fun event that brings the community together, celebrates the creativity of young people and helps increase awareness of our organization.”

The contest is divided into three categories: bands eighth grade and under, bands ninth to 12th grade, and solo artists from first to 12th grade.  Entries are due September 1, and require a sample of music. Once all the submissions are in, Bellewood will select three artists from each category to perform at the event. 

A panel of judges, along with the help of the audience, will critique the performers.  One award will be presented for the top performance in each category, along with honors for best performance overall.  Residing over the ceremony, Clay Underwood will present the grand prize winner with an opportunity to perform at the legendary Blue Bird Café in Nashville.

“I’m very glad to see an organization like Bellewood that does so much for its community step forward and offer young people a chance to showcase their talents,” Underwood said. “It’s important for kids and teens to have an opportunity to explore music, and this event supports that need in a fun, creative way.”

BelleWoodstock welcomes every genre of music and is hopeful the contest will bring an assortment of performers.  Aside from talent, Bellewood needs sponsors and support for its red-carpet event.  Slim Nash, Associate Director of Western Kentucky Operations, is engaging individuals and businesses in the community to get behind the initiative.

“With arts programs being cut from school curriculums, we feel our event will give an opportunity for young people to explore their talents,” Nash said.  “We’re hoping that the community really comes together to support this in what ways it can.”

Visit www.bellewood.org/music for more information.