Artifacts 7/13/07

Texas artist wins Girardot Best of Show

Judy Burch of Cedar Hill, Texas, took Best of Show at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's Girardot National Juried Show, on display now at the arts council galleries. Burch won with her oil painting "Crystal Clear," a still life of a teapot and salt and pepper shakers on a kitchen table. Other winners included "Bygones" by Barbara Nichols Calvin of Cape Girardeau, a watercolor depicting a neglected farm; "Vampire Slayer," an acrylic portrait of a priest by Paul Walker of Cape Girardeau took first place; "Diana" by Cleda Curtis-Neal of Oran, Mo., took second place, a pastel portrait of a young black woman; and "Old Neighborhood" by Stan Kaplan of Levittown, N.Y., took third place, a linocut of a pastoral farm scene. Honorable mentions went to Phillip Chan of Akron, Ohio, Judith Fowler of Springfield, Mo., Nathan Pierce of Cape Girardeau and Shaka Shedeke of Decatur, Ga. Artist Robert Ketchens served as the show's juror.

Ste. Genevieve County Fair starts today

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The Ste. Genevieve County Fair will kick off today and last through Sunday at the Ste. Genevieve County Fairgrounds. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Featured events include a parade, livestock shows, a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, live music and beauty pageants. For more information, call (573) 883-3548 or (800) 373-7007.

Jackson Homecomers kicks off July 24

Jackson's annual summer festival, Jackson Homecomers, will kick off July 24 and last through July 28 at the courthouse square in Jackson. Events include beauty pageants, live music, the Homecomers Talent Show and more. For more information, call 243-8131 or visit www.jacksonmochamber.org. Deadline for talent show entry is July 19.

Blunt named Citizens for the Arts chairwoman

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The art advocacy group Missouri Citizens for the Arts named Missouri first lady Melanie Blunt as its honorary chairwoman Monday. A news release from Gov. Matt Blunt's office said Blunt was picked for the honor "because of her love and support for the arts." As honorary chairwoman Blunt will serve as ambassador for the organization.

-- From staff reports