Artifacts 2/28/14

Blues festival set for Saturday at Port Cape

The third annual Cross Rivers Blues Festival will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Port Cape Girardeau, 19 Water St. in Cape Girardeau. Doors open at 6 p.m. Among the performers are Rocking Johnny Burgin, who plays vintage Chicago-style blues; Kenny "The Blues Boss" Wayne, known as "a monster pianist [and] a soulful singer [who] captures of essence of old school blues and boogie"; Big Larry Williams, considered a local blues legend; and local music favorites Bruce Zimmerman and the Water Street Band and the Ivas John Band. Tickets are $15 in advance and may be bought at Port Cape, Hempies and Shivelbine Music; they are $18 at the door. Appetizers by Port Cape are included in the ticket price. More information is available by calling 708-646-1132.

Comic book-drawing workshop set

The public is invited to attend a comic-book drawing workshop, sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau from 1 to 3 p.m. March 8. The workshop will feature Nathan Bonner as a representative for Cape Comic Con 2014. He is the artist behind both the "Indavo" space adventure comics and the "Shamus Stone" noir comics. Other comic artists will be present to assist. All drawing materials will be provided, including Cape Comic Con Artboards, which can be used as free tickets to Cape Comic Con for children age 12 and younger. For more information, call 334-9233 or email liz@capearts.org.

Rep. Smith announces student art contest

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith announced the opening of the eighth annual Congressional District Art Contest. The competition, open to high school students in the 8th District, will net the winner free airfare from Southwest Airlines to Washington, D.C., for a recognition ceremony. The winning artwork will be displayed on Capitol Hill for one year. Entries -- which may consist of original paintings, drawings, collages, mixed media, computer-generated art and photographs -- must be submitted to Smith's office by April 25. For more information about the contest and for drop-off locations, contact Leslie Herbst at 335-0101 or email leslie.herbst@mail.house.gov, or visit house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/.

Photos on display at Nature Center

The Nature Center Art Gallery at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center will host two photography displays in March. "Seasons" features wildlife photography by Leonard Fulbright, while "Show Me Shots: Conservation Destinations" is a collection of entries from the Show Me Shots photography contest. The exhibits can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through March 29.

Art classes offered at Cape library

Kelly Hughes, an artist, educator and entrepreneur, will offer classes at the Cape Girardeau Public Library on March 22. "Creative Station" classes for children ages 4 through 7 will be from 9 to 10 a.m., and "Studio Art Adventures" for grades 4 through 7 will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Hughes, who has a degree in fine arts/science, began Open Window Studio in Jackson in 2001, which offers youth and adult art classes. She teaches art workshops and is a yoga instructor at Yoga East Healing Arts Studio. For more information or to register, go to capelibrary.org/CalendarYouth.aspx.

-- From staff reports