The former City Hall building at the top of Boot Hill in Dodge City has been selected for the second annual Landmark Arts Project. Each year, a historic landmark in Ford County will be selected as the focus for the project. Area youth will be provided with historical information and tours of the location to educate and inspire the production of artwork.
Artwork created by students will provide an avenue for developing a connection with local history and art in the community and the potential to showcase their work.
The story of Boot Hill began with a cemetery in 1872, followed by two Third Ward School buildings, and the current structure, which was built to house all City departments. The City Hall building was completed in early 1930 and departments gradually moved to new quarters beginning in the 1960s. The Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau occupied the building until the mid-1990s followed by CASA until around 2001. Boot Hill Distillery began restorations in 2015.
Submissions will be on display at Boot Hill Distillery from April 20 through May 11. Participating schools will each receive $500 for art supplies. In addition, FCHS has created a scholarship fund for full-time Ford County students attending Dodge City Community College to further their education in the arts. Funding for this project was provided by the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas and the Community Facilities Advisory Board.
Boot Hill Distillery will host a reception for the exhibiting artists in partnership with FCHS on Thursday, May 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 501 W Spruce Street. Awards will be presented at this time and the public is encouraged to attend.