SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL; MIDWEST MINIS EXHIBITION OPENS FRIDAY AT GALLERY 100

Small is beautiful in the Midwest Minis National Juried Exhibition opening Friday at Gallery 100. But working small -- the two- and three-dimensional works of art can measure no more than 14 inches in any direction -- requires the artist to do more than simply shrink a larger work.

"It's a challenge ... to create something so powerful in such a small format," says juror Louise Bodenheimer, an assistant professor of art at Southeast.

This year's annual Arts Council of Southeast Missouri show drew 118 entries from 40 artists in 21 states.

First prize went to Helen Baertschy of Manitowoc, Wis., for her acrylic painting titled "The Red Chair."

Rosamond Moranville of Danville, Calif., won second prize with her watercolor titled "Clear Cutting -- Oregon II."

Winning an award for third was Caroline Erney of Harrisburg, Penn., with a drypoint called "Seven for Dinner."

Taddy Isozaki of Cape Girardeau and Margaret Dement of Sikeston received honorable mention awards for "About that Night" and "Reaching for Me," respectively, both mixed media works. Also getting honorable mention awards were MargaretJeanette Gilmore of Forks, Wash., for "Still Life w/Cheese"; Ken McCall of Urbana, Ill., for "Circe"; Greg Metzen of Iowa Falls, Iowa., for a stoneware work called "Twisted Cube"; and Connie Lange of Daingerfield, Texas, for a clay work titled "Buddy."

Bodenheimer, who designed the Musical Heritage Mural on the Shivebine building in Cape Girardeau, was looking for work that "communicates a spirit" rather than work that was too "academic."

"I don't want to disqualify somebody who hasn't been schooled in a university or art school but still has a freshness," she said.

The array of paintings, sculpture, pottery, etchings and mixed-media works offered "some nice little surprises," Bodenheimer said. The entries demonstrated all levels of expertise, she added, "from some real practiced individuals to people who are still developing. I'm glad those people sent something to the show.

"It's a real brave thing."

A reception and awards ceremony will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Gallery 100, 6 N. Sprigg St.