SATURDAY ARTS PROGRAM EXAMINES STORYTELLING

The art of American storytelling will be explored at a workshop Saturday at May Greene Elementary School.

The workshop is the second in a series of programs sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts called "Festivals, Families and the Arts."

Stories and activities are planned for children ages 5-9 who are accompanied by an adult companion.

Pre-registration is required and a $1 admission per person will be collected at the door. Interested persons can call the Arts Council office at 334-9233 to register.

Families will hear "The Boy Who Turned Himself into a Peanut," a southern black folk tale, and a Native American folk tale entitled "Whispering Grass," as told by professional storyteller Tanya Merritt.

Children will draw illustrations to go with "Whispering Grass," and parents will sew the drawings into a book binding. Cape Girardeau Public Library's Children's Department will loan folk tale books for the program and provide copies of book lists for families to check out from the library.

Local art teachers Brenda Seyer and Elizabeth Thomas will lead the program and book-making project.

"Festivals, Families and the Arts" explore holidays of different countries. Using hands-on art projects, speakers and music from the featured countries, the programs are designed for children and adults to work together. The adult may be a parent, grandparent, other relative or adult friend.

The Jan. 9 program will be India's "Festival of the New Harvest," featuring native guest speakers from India who are currently students at Southeast Missouri State University.