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Art League of Lincoln reports growth in Feats of Clay and plans Clayfest with ARPA support
Summary
Janet Phoenix of the Art League described growth in Feats of Clay (from 87 to 389 entries), use of ARPA funds to match donors, school-based art education programs, and a four-phase public art plan with consultant Stacy Ray Thomas; a May 16, 2026 street festival (Clayfest) and youth programs were announced.
The Art League of Lincoln updated the City Council March 10 on its ARPA-funded programming, reporting notable growth in regional and national participation and a multi-phase public art project the group is implementing with consultant Stacy Ray Thomas.
Janet Phoenix, representing the Art League of Lincoln, said the revived Feats of Clay contest grew from 87 entries in an earlier year to 389 entries and 147 participating artists in the most recent cycle. Phoenix told council the organization is using ARPA money to match private donors to create sustainable annual funding and expects higher attendance for upcoming receptions and a Clayfest street festival set for May 16, 2026.
Phoenix outlined the Art League's schools work, including a pilot funded by an out-of-state grant that helped Phoenix High provide art credits and added charter-school participation. She described four public-art phases underway and said plaques recognizing student participants have been installed at recent displays.
Council members thanked the Art League for community arts programming and asked a few clarifying questions. The presentation concluded with a short Q&A about partnerships with local nonprofits and festival logistics.
