Artifacts 2/13/04

African-American artists to exhibit work

Works by African-American artists will be showcased during an exhibit opening Monday at Southeast Missouri State University. The exhibit is sponsored by the Office of Minority Student Programs and is part of the university's month-long activities for Black History Month. A reception will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday in the University Center Ballroom. Work by Tirrell Grimsley of Cape Girardeau and Alfreda Bailey of St. Louis is featured in the show. Grimsley is a graduate of Sikeston High School and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Penn. He is a graphic designer at the Southeast Missourian. His work consists primarily of portraits and includes images of Michael Jordan, Halle Berry, Marilyn Monroe and Bruce Lee. Grimsley likes portraits because they present the greatest challenge, he said. Although the show features works by African-Americans, Grimsley said he didn't set out to showcase only black role models. He included "whatever interested me." Grimsley has been drawing since he was 8, though his beginning work consisted of comic book characters. Now he prefers to use colored pencil for his pieces.

Conductors symposium at Southeast campus

Four international conductors are among the participants in a Wind Conductors Symposium today and Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University. They are Takamune Suzuki of Tokyo, Wong Kah Chun and Andy Sim Yih Shyan, both of Singapore, and Kelly Lovelady of Manitoba, Ontario, Canada. The visiting composers have been meeting with students and ensembles during the week and will offer a training seminar and panel discussion. The discussion is at 3 p.m. Saturday in Brandt Hall. Nine selected conductors will conduct two 20-minute sessions with the Southeast Symphonic Wind Ensemble. For information, contact Dr. Robert Gifford at 651-2140.

Music department presents spring revue

ULLIN, Ill. -- The Shawnee Community College Music Club will present a Spring Revue at 7 p.m. Saturday in the educational center. Music students will be featured in both solo and group performances. The event is a fund-raiser for the music department. For information, phone (800) 481-2242, extension 3206.

Scott City artist featured in show

Scott City artist Eddie Stuart is the featured artist at The Sikeston Depot. The Depot is also showing a collection of antique and modern Valentine cards from 1910 to 1930. The Depot is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For information, phone (573) 481-9967.

Hamblin to read from poetry book

Dr. Robert Hamblin, professor of English and director of the Center for Faulkner Studies at Southeast Missouri State University, will read from his new book, "Mind the Gap: Poems by an American in London" Tuesday in the University Museum. The reading is scheduled for 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the reading.

'Richard III' to be presented

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Acting Company will bring William Shakespeare's "Richard III" to the stage during a performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shryock Auditorium at Carbondale. The Acting Company presents a cast of talented young actors and has been touring for more than 30 years. Tickets are available by calling (618) 453-2787.

Folk concert slated at Southeast

Folk artist Kevin Danzig will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the University Center Ballroom at Southeast Missouri State University. The concert is free and is part of a regional heritage series event sponsored by the university's communication department.

Great Decisions discussions coming

The Cape Girardeau Public Library and the Center for Regional History are co-hosting the "Great Decisions 2004" program. Meetings are held at 2 p.m. in the Hirsch Community Room at the library. Topic for Thursday's meeting is presidential leadership and the 2004 election. Other topics in the discussion series include media and foreign policy, weapons of mass destruction, Muslim diversity, Middle East political reform and public diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy. For more information, call 651-2555 or the library's adult services department at 334-5279.

Murder mystery dinner theater slated

BELKNAP, Ill. -- Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery will present a murder mystery dinner theater at 7 p.m. Feb. 20. Tickets are $30 per person and include a meal and performance of "Murder at the Mardi Gras." Other upcoming plays are "The Hills Are Alive with Murder" March 13 and "Three Strikes and You're Dead" April 16. For information and reservations, call (618) 658-2274.

Quilt appraisals offered in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Museum of the American Quilter's Society in Paducah will offer a quilt appraisal day Feb. 21. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is a fund raiser to support the care and conservation of the museum's Founders Collection.

A professional appraisal is $40 and consists of an oral description of the quilt in terms of patterns, fabrics, techniques, construction, condition, confirmation of information known by the current owner, an approximate date the quilt was made, a written verification and quilt value. Thirty minutes should be allowed for each verification and appraisal. A reservation and deposit is required. For more information, call the museum at (270) 442-8856.

Open auditions for 'Rapunzel'

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University will hold open auditions at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 for its production of "Rapunzel." The auditions will be at the Rose Theatre. Anyone interested in auditioning should prepare an original interpretation of a classic fairy tale complete with movement. Call-backs, if necessary, will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 23. For information, call Dennis Seyer at 651-2490.

People's Choice Award recognizes popular work

Megan Thrower's mixed media artwork "A Dress Sing Chaos" was chosen as the People's Choice Award winner for February at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Each month at gallery opening receptions, visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite work of art. Thrower's art is on display through Feb. 28 at the Arts Council. Thrower is a member of the Visual Arts Cooperative. Past award recipients have been Scott Kelley's oil painting "Three Sisters," Matt Miller's metal sculpture "Past Memory," and Louise Bodenheimer's exhibit of drawings, "Guardians, Mothers and Birth of A Woman."

Grammy winner has local connection

Cape Girardeau residents Jess and Mary Bolen watched the Grammy awards with great interest Sunday since a relative was among the artists nominated. Ben Cissell of the Christian music group Audio Adrenaline is a nephew of the Bolens and spent plenty of summer vacations in Cape Girareau. Audio Adrenaline won a Grammy award for Best Rock Gospel Album for their release "Worldwide." The group performed in Cape Girardeau last year and will perform March 26 at the Four Rivers Center for the Performing Arts in Paducah, Ky.

--From staff reports