Jim Leedy brings modern art to Southeast Missouri show

Residents of Cape Girardeau and Scott City have a chance this week to meet an artist on the forefront of modern art, as Dr. Jim Leedy will speak at Southeast Missouri State University and the Schock Community Arts Center in Scott City.

Leedy will speak at noon in the Serena Building on the Southeast campus today and at the Schock Center at 7 p.m. Thursday.

"Knowing him and his history is just amazing," said Paul Schock, who arranged the visit. Schock is an art professor at Southeast and owner of the arts center in Scott City and calls Leedy his mentor.

"He was on the leading edge of the modern world and modern art and changing into a more progressive view of art," he said.

Leedy has worked with abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock, and he has received credit as being on the forefront of turning ceramics from functional vessels into an aesthetic art form.

His art has been displayed in galleries and exhibitions from New York and California to Japan and Finland.

"He's been very inspirational to all the students and people he's come in contact with," Schock said.

Leedy has worked with a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, sculpture and performance -- all the while meeting great critical acclaim.

Local display

His visit to the area will give residents a chance to see those acclaimed works as well as hear the artist speak, through a display of his works on exhibit at Schock's community center.

"People are going to have a chance to learn about the current history of art along with having a chance to see his work and be inspired," said Schock.

In his talk at Southeast, Leedy will speak on his work and how it has interacted with the art world. His talk at the Schock Community Center will focus on building an arts community -- something he's done in the Kansas City area and something Schock has in mind for the Old Illmo district.

Both talks are free and open to the public. For more information, call Schock at (573) 587-0215.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182