“Congratulations!” was the first word in the email on art teacher Bruno Baran’s computer, informing him that his paintings were selected for the National Juried Show of the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society.

“[When I read the email it was] like an adrenaline rush that’s equated with an athlete running and winning. It’s a great feeling,” Baran said.

Baran has been winning contests and placing in major art competitions for years, but this is the first time he has ever been accepted into this show. “I selected some paintings that I thought were good, but you just never know. I liked them, but I wasn’t sure if other people would. One second I can love a painting of yours, and 10 minutes later, hate it,” Baran said.

All three paintings that Baran sent in were chosen. They are called “The Red Cat Restaurant,” “Chapel of Notre Dame Paris,” and “The White Barn.”

Baran found out about this opportunity through blog posts by other artists who list upcoming art shows. However, a majority of these artists are from the Midwest, so “being from Maryland is really cool,” Baran said. His artistic goal for this year is to have his paintings selected for three or four shows, and he has already conquered two.

The show runs from Jan. 17th until Apr. 6th, 2014 at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Lauren Fabiszak is an A&E editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.