Many styles, personalities on display at Visual Arts Cooperative exhibit

A photograph of the ethereal architecture of a church hangs opposite three Spanish dancers created from charcoal drawing and oil painting in the galleries of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

Around the room, mediums and styles vary greatly from one another based on their creator, but they come together cohesively to express the talents of the more than 45 members participating in the Visual Arts Cooperative's annual show.

The three galleries in the arts council feature works ranging from watercolor and oil paintings to pop art cartoons and photographs by local artists until April 24. Many personalities, styles and ages are represented, including work in the form of pastel drawings by the co-op's late founder, Dr. Jean Chapman.

Brenda Seyer, who teaches art at Saxony Lutheran High School, and friend and co-member Marty Riley both decided to enter pieces in this year's show that differ from the art they usually produce.

"I'm into my blue period, I guess you could say," Seyer said of her two watercolor paintings featuring rich shades of blue and green and a batik portrait in the show titled "Blue Ann."

Seyer said she has been doing a lot of batik works lately, which take a considerable amount of time to create. A batik work produces a picture by dyeing fabric and using wax to protect the parts to be left undyed. She has also been painting watercolors, because she took two watercolor workshops last summer.

"I find the blue to be very relaxing and a spiritual color," she said.

Riley chose to use pastels -- a change from her usual acrylic and oil paintings -- to create two landscapes and a portrait of a lion for the show. Riley lives in Cape Girardeau and paints pets and other subjects for clients.

Both artists have been involved with the co-op for several years. Co-op members are expected to produce a new work of art each month as part of their membership.

"That is a really good stimulus to an artist to get in there and do their work, because sometimes you can get tied up with everyday activities and lose what you really love to do," Seyer said. "It does encourage you."

Riley said she re-entered the local arts community thanks in part to the co-op. She had gotten away from art while raising her five children and working as a nurse. Riley said Seyer called her about the new co-op and she grabbed the chance to get involved. She now participates in the show every year.

"For me it was a foot in the door to the Cape art arena, and it's a place to show," Riley said. "It's a place to learn. The people in the co-op are so nice and helpful to one another. Over the years you get to be good friends and have a lot of support from all of them."

Many recognizable local artists have work in this year's show, including muralist Craig Thomas, photographer Tom Neumeyer and painter Annie Schuchart. High school and college art instructors Judy Barks-Westrich, a mixed media artist, and Peter Chanthanakone, a photographer and graphic artist, also have art on display.

Each member of the co-op is allowed to enter three pieces of art in the show per year. The show opened April 2 with a First Friday reception and will be on display until April 24 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St.