2006 brought changes to Cape's art community

Max Cordonnier

Max Cordonnier's specialty was literature, but when he retired as a literature professor, his passion soon became the visual arts.

Cordonnier died in June after years of membership in the Visual Arts Cooperative. He produced a large body of work that used digital art to create images with themes based in mythology and literature.

What friends remember most is his generous spirit -- Cordonnier helped out whenever he could, including selling artwork to benefit the victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. He also helped hang art for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and managed the group's Web site for a number of years.

Dr. Edwin Smith, Dr. Sam Bishop, Lane Fabrick

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Art lost a huge chunk of experience in 2006 when three of its most experienced professors retired at the end of the fall semester: Dr. Edwin Smith, Dr. Sam Bishop and Lane Fabrick.

Together the professors had 101 years of experience at Southeast -- Smith specializing in sculpture and art education, Bishop as a specialist in introducing young students to the world of art and Fabrick as a design specialist.

All three plan to stay in the area, with Bishop continuing to teach part-time.

Rebecca Fulgham

After four years as the executive director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Rebecca Fulgham's tenure ended in May.

Fulgham was replaced by Delilah Tayloe, whose experience includes two years as the exhibit director and collections manager at the Southeast Missouri Regional Museum, five years as curator and exhibit director during the early years of the Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield, Mo., and three years as administrator for the Sikeston Depot Historical and Cultural Center.

Before her job as arts council director, Fulgham was director of the Southeast Missouri Music Academy for 11 years.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182