Title: A Night at the Circus Artist: Tom Pfannerstill Media: Acrylic on wall with attached panels and mirrors Date: 2011

In this piece I wanted to capture some of the sights, feelings and magic of a night at the circus, trying to remember how I felt the first time I experienced it as a child. It felt like the best of everything; the brightest colors, food and snack treats that were seldom permitted at other times, incredible circus acts and activity, wild animals, a swirl of movement and colors that seemed almost impossible to comprehend all at once. Standing at the precipice of the circus is the ʻSilent Messenger,ʼ introducing the young child heʼs carrying to a vast world of wonder, a veritable world of possibilities.

Fun Facts: There are many things to look at in this piece, including a couple of seek and find activities, there are 10 stars to look for, 8 look-alike clowns and even 25 cents worth of wooden nickels. There are several paintings of snapshots that were based on actual photos from past Kosair Shrine Circuses, showing not only the fun and pure enjoyment of the circus, but also the assistance Shriners provide in offering kids of all colors and types a brief respite from the everyday.