Arts council presenting a diverse program

Some people, when criticized, shut down.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has been criticized lately by its parent organization, the Missouri Arts Council. MAC said the organization focused on the visual arts to the detriment of the community.

Our local arts council members responded that they were trying to branch out and had plans for more diverse programming. They're proving it Saturday.

A Saturday Social will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at the arts council building downtown. The event, open to anyone, features Jeanie Myers, an actress who's been in commercials and movies, including one with David Hasselhoff.

Myers will speak about her time in Hollywood and, according to organizers, describe how to survive in the business.

Arts council members involved in the event said they invited high school drama clubs and the River City Players members.

This is one of several Saturday Socials the arts council hopes to host. The first was held over the summer when visiting painter Timothy Orikri painted in the gallery and spoke about his art.

The gatherings will be on different Saturdays and may not occur monthly, but Murielle Wyman, the new director at the arts council, said she hopes to continue them. She mentioned a casual lecture series with professors from Southeast Missouri State University and movie screenings with discussion sessions.

The arts council already helps with a Poetry Out Loud contest where area high school students perform poetry for a chance at a state and then national competition.

Slowly but surely, the arts council seems to be responding to constructive criticism.