Cape Girardeau to host public art along Broadway

The downtown area has undergone several changes in recent years. The Broadway Corridor project was a major undertaking.

Individual business owners and groups have worked to improve properties and bring events to the area that feature this part of the city. Classic car shows, a farmers market and Tunes at Twilight, are a few of the festivities downtown.

The next opportunity begins in April when a yearlong public art exhibit will line Broadway.

Seven sculptures are to be placed on Broadway beginning April 4. A Public Art Committee has worked on this project, which aims to promote the arts locally and help revitalization efforts for Old Town Cape.

Two local artists, Ben Pierce of Cape Girardeau and Chris Wubbena of Jackson, were selected to have their works featured. Wubbena was the founder of the exhibit and has an honorary submission.

Others artists include Andy Arvanetes of Chicago; Mike Baur of West Chicago, Ill.; Beth Nybeck of Kansas City, Mo.; Dan Perry of Waterloo, Iowa; and Stephanie Sailer of Swisher, Iowa.

Marla Mills said that the sculptures represent a variety of styles. The committee hopes to rotate the exhibition each year.

To learn more about the exhibit, contact the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri at 334-9233 or visit capearts.org/capesculpture.

It will be interesting to see what types of sculptures were chosen. We hope the effort helps drive traffic to the downtown area and its various businesses.