JACKSON ARTIST FEATURED IN EXHIBIT

Gallery 100 has announced the opening of "Views on Impulse," an exhibit by Jackson artist Herb Wickham.

The collection will be on display through Oct. 28 at the gallery, located at 1710 Mt. Auburn Rd. in Cape Girardeau.

"Views on Impulse" is a collection of paintings and drawings that display Wickham's eye for detail, artistic dedication and sense of humor. Lnadscapes, protraiture, architecture and interiorscapes are on display, as is a life-sized cutout of Wickham and a caricature by the artist's son -- a Wickham of Wickham by Wickham.

The Jackson artist was featured on the cover of the May issue of the Southeast Missourian newspaper's monthly special section TBY-The Best Years. A retired Jackson High School art teacher, his 31-year career affected both his attitude and technique in his artwork.

"In the classroom, you only have 50 minutes to teach something," says Wickham, "so I learned to work fast."

He imparted to his students what he learned from his teaching experience.

Upon his retirement, one student wrote, "The true gift that a teacher can give a student is the inspiration to continue learning. This is where [Wickham] really made a difference with me."

In his retirement letter, Wickham wrote, "Although I am proud of many things and embarrassed by a few, I believe I have done right by all those kids because my beliefs and standards are correct. I wouldn't change a thing."

Wickham's favorite images are rural scenes -- landscapes, farm scenes and back country roads. Over the years, his work has been exhibited in local and regional juried competitions and open shows. He was the special guest artist at the 1971 Missourian Art Exhibition.

He would rather paint what pleases him than give lessons or do commission work. Most days he can be found in his downtown Jackson studio doing just that.

Gallery 100 has expanded to make room for Wickham's many paintings.

"The exhibit space has almost doubled," said Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the SEMO Council on the Arts, which sponsors Gallery 100. "We have more exhibit space than ever before, and can show more works and large ones, too."

Gallery 100 hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.