Original works of Jake Wells on exhibit

Original paintings and sketches of Jake Wells, former chair of the Department of Art at Southeast Missouri State University and well known for his work depicting water mills, will be displayed in The Kelsen Gallery, 13 S. Spanish, in Cape Girardeau beginning Nov. 9.

The exhibit, brought together with original work from private collections, will open with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display through Nov. 29. The reception is free and open to the public. Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Wells, associate professor emeritus of art and a 1942 alumnus of Southeast, is remembered for painting the mural in Kent Library on the Southeast campus and for encouraging all who had the pleasure of studying in his classes or working with him in any way. Wells is responsible for a number of pencil drawings and water colors depicting water mills in the Missouri Ozarks. Many of Wells' images depict activities taking place near the mills, which once served as the heart of Missouri community life. A few of his sketches illustrate the working mechanisms that powered the mills. Many of these images were published in 1990 in Water Mills of the Missouri Ozarks, authored by Dr. George Suggs, Southeast professor emeritus of history.

In addition to viewing Wells' work, those attending the reception will have the opportunity to pick up information about the future Wells Teaching Gallery to be incorporated in Southeast's School of Visual and Performing Arts, University officials said.

As plans are made for developing the School of Visual and Performing Arts, several alumni and friends have begun to make plans to remember Wells in the School in a prominent way. Former students and area artists have expressed similar hopes that the name and work of Wells be remembered. In keeping with this intent, the Southeast Missouri University Foundation has created an endowment for the future Wells Teaching Gallery and for a portrait of him that will be placed in the gallery.

"One of the things Jake always wanted was a teaching gallery located within the art department which would accommodate small exhibitions, classroom work and critiques," said Jane Stacy, Southeast director of development.

Those attending the opening reception will have the opportunity to learn how they may contribute to make this memorial tribute possible, she said.

Those who attend the reception also may make a $100 donation to the Jake Wells endowment that will entitle them to a thank you gift - a Jake Wells' print of the Old Appleton Mill. Participants also will have the opportunity to purchase for $2 the Missouri Mills booklet, an illustrated vignette of Missouri Mills watercolors by Wells. Author of the booklet is James Varner Parker, former director of the University Museum.