PLEASE TOUCH

Mitchell Hudson, left, and Cody Martinez touched a sculpture by Robert Friedrich at the University Museum.

A sculpture by Jean Chapman which features a hand on top is ideal for touching.

In most museums, children get the word right away that touching the exhibits is not allowed. The University Museum is making an exception this summer with an exhibition of sculpture people are encouraged to touch.

Enrichment classes of students in grades 3-6 from the Oran school got that chance Tuesday. The students, who were on their way later to a chemistry lab, Kent Library and the city water plant, spent part of the morning viewing the exhibits and drawing pictures inspired by what they'd seen.

Peggy Haney, the museum secretary, explained to the students why natural oils on the hands make it necessary for the museum staff to wear gloves when they touch items. She cautioned the students against handling the classical statuary donated by Louis Houck or touching the paintings.

But motioning to the sculpture section of the museum, she said. "Feel the different textures of the alabaster and wood." "Please Touch" cards were placed near each work of art.

The exhibit consists of wooden, ceramic and metal sculptures created by Dr. Edwin Smith and Amy Kephart of the Southeast faculty along with Cape Girardeau artists Jean Chapman, Robert Friedrich and Roy (Pat) Cochran. Smith curated the show.

"I wanted something for the children this summer," said Haney, who is scheduled to entertain school groups throughout the summer months. She is running the museum until a new director is hired to replace Dr. Jenny Strayer, who left earlier this month.

Katey Tilley and Chelsey Holmes, both 9, were attracted to an untitled 3-foot-tall ceramic sculpture by Kephart. They ran their fingers around every crevice.

Then Katey and Chelsey moved on to Smith's wooden abstract. "It feels weird," Katey said. "It's bumpy and smooth."

Both girls have made sculpture of their own in art classes.

Not everyone was interested in the sculpture, however. Jonathen Ramsey, 10, drew a picture of a World War I soldier based on the artifacts in the museum's WWI exhibition.

Haney explained to two other students about the "chunkey stones" among the Mississippian artifacts, some of which are 1,000 years old. Archaeologists say the stones were used to play a game similar to hockey.

And Daniel Murray used vivid colors to draw a picture of a mischievous-looking boy with a skull and crossbones on his chest. The word Bart was at the lower left corner.

Daniel said it was not inspired by anything at the museum. It was not a picture of Bart Simpson either, he said.

"Bart's my nickname."