Exhibit showcasing Thomas Hart Benton artwork to open next week

An exhibit and activities throughout November will celebrate and explore the artwork of Thomas Hart Benton.

Frank Nickell, assistant director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, poses for a photo Thursday in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

"Thomas Hart Benton: American Mythologies" will open Nov. 6 Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

The public is invited to several events in November celebrating Thomas Hart Benton's life, his work and his impact on the history of American Art. The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 24. Admission to the exhibit and the events are free.

A curator talk will be at 6 p.m. Thursday. Joan Stack, State Historical Society of Missouri's art curator, will share stories behind the "American Mythologies" exhibit, explaining why cowboys and steamboats are such an important element of America's culture and details of Benton and his contributions to American art.

Joan Stack, State Historical Society of Missouri's art curator, will speak about the Benton exhibit, "American Mythologies," at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Crisp Museum on the River Campus. (Photo by Mike Barna, Mizzou News)

The opening reception will be 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6.

Thomas Hart Benton Family Day will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14. Hands-on activities will lead participants to create images with the artistic style used by Benton. Guided gallery tours will occur hourly. Historical performer Gary Beahan will portray Benton during the event.

During a presentation at 6 p.m. Nov. 19. Frank Nickell, historian and assistant director of the State Historical Society of Missouri, will convey fascinating accounts that create an understanding of Missouri and the culmination of this region's society during Benton's time.

A musical performance will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. Robert Fruehwald, composer and faculty in Southeast's music department, will provide works by Missouri composers to tie into the "American Mythologies" exhibition.

This exhibition showcases 26 of Benton's lithographs that explore the mythic West, including subjects such as Jesse James, the writings of Mark Twain and the intersections of American cultural heritage.

The exhibition is organized by The State Historical Society of Missouri with support of its Research Center-Cape Girardeau. Artworks are on loan from the SHSMO Art Collection, in Columbia, Missouri. Financial assistance for the project was provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

The Crisp Museum is located in the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, 518 S. Fountain St. in Cape Girardeau. More information is available by calling (573) 651-2260 or emailing museum@semo.edu.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.