Rescheduled Children's Arts Festival to exhibit work from 20 schools

More than 200 student art pieces will be showcased during this year's Children's Arts Festival, beginning this weekend.

Originally set for last Friday, the start of the exhibition put on by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri was postponed because of winter weather that hit the region, and will now be held from 4 to 8 p.m. this Friday.

The festival features artwork from 20 schools in the area, with the work produced by students in third through eighth grades, according to Kelly Downes, director of the Arts Council, 16 N. Spanish St. in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Downes said she believes it is important for younger people to learn how to express themselves in their artwork.

"To me, art and mental health go hand in hand. I think that there's so much that we're required to process on a daily basis. I think art, music, performing arts and literature are the places we go to revive our humanity and the places we go to ask questions in a safe way where we are not going to be judged," Downes said. "I think we need to teach young people how to express and listen, because art requires both — so I think it is super important right now to see that these skill sets are being given to kids and that they are being prioritized."

More than 200 student art pieces will be showcased during the 22nd annual Children's Art Festival Friday at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in downtown Cape Girardeau.Submitted

The pieces will be on display until Feb. 24 and also on the Arts Council's website — www.capearts.org — along with a 360-degree view of the gallery using technology from Matterport, allowing people to take a virtual tour of the display.

The artwork was selected by this year's judges: Joshua Newth, assistant professor of foundations at Southeast Missouri State University, and Richard Conaway, an art teacher at Scott City High School. Both judges have exhibitions up at the council's micro galleries this month.

The official opening of the exhibition will feature performances and entertainment by local organizations.

"We will be welcoming Fingerprint Urban Dance Studio to do some performances with the kiddos," Downes said. "The Edge Aerial Arts is going to have their acrobats come out and then we have Heroes for Kids, who are first responders out of Perryville that dress up like Superman and Spider-Man and things like that."

First, second, third and honorable mention prizes will be selected from each grade and the winners will have their artwork on display on Fine Arts Education Day. Winners will be announced today and may be viewed on the Art Council's social media.

For more information on the festival and upcoming events, visit the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's website, www.capearts.org.

The 22nd annual Children's Art Festival will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in downtown Cape Girardeau.Submitted