Local artists display work in windows of vacant downtown buildings

Downtown will go from empty glass to artsy class this month, thanks to a cooperative effort between the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University's Crisp Museum and Old Town Cape.

Local artists have volunteered to turn bare windows of the vacant buildings along downtown Cape Girardeau's streets into showcases for their artwork. Today, the first artist's work will be showcased at the arts council's First Friday event.

The first exhibit, featuring art by Craig Thomas and Emily Booth, and will be displayed in the Cape Wiggery Building on the corner of Themis and Main streets.

"We moved downtown and have lived here for 10 years," Thomas said. "It's the best place to live in Cape, in my opinion, and to have the opportunity to use my art to help dress it up is really wonderful."

Thomas' display will feature two pieces. One, titled "Safe," is 4 feet by 4 feet and depicts a close-up of an embrace. The other piece is even larger and focuses on rose petals.

"There is really more than one goal when this project is considered," said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. "From our perspective, we are looking to improve downtown for a better pedestrian experience. Enhancing the appeal keeps foot traffic up, and ideally we want this to be more than just an improvement, but rather an attraction to bring people to downtown Cape Girardeau.

"From the arts perspective, it's a chance to showcase the local talent and to show a broader side of Cape Girardeau's downtown."

Of course, Mills and the others involved realize these displays are in buildings that are up for lease.

"These displays are meant to make the area more appealing for consumers as well as potential businesses," she said. "From a business perspective, seeing things like this that slow the pedestrian pace and attract new faces to the area can be very appealing to a merchant."

Melissa Miller, director of the arts council, pointed out the windows are a great opportunity for the artists as well.

"The Southeast Missouri area has a tremendous amount of artistic talent, and being able to give these artists a venue that can be seen by anyone and everyone is a great outlet for them," Miller said. "This is sort of an 'open gallery,' where anyone can attend just by walking around downtown Cape.

"The cooperation between [the arts council] and Old Town Cape and the Crisp Museum has really brought a full spectrum of talents to the table, from getting the building owners' cooperation to recruiting the artists to arranging the art. We have to consider things like daylight exposure and such when we think of placement, so it's wonderful to have some great minds involved."

Miller said so far seven artists are participating, and applications are still available at www.capearts.org.

"Our artists vary, from painting to photography to three-dimensional sculpture and even fabric displays," she said. "We're very excited to have the variety we do."