Soooo juvenile: Arts Council, hospital host Children's Arts Fest

Dozens of little Picassos, Rembrandts and Monets have been waiting for this (though not as anxiously as they are for Christmas) -- the annual Children's Arts Festival returns on Dec. 11.

The event is sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Southeast Missouri Hospital, and will feature 75 works created by local school kids.

Children throughout area schools created projects at their schools. Each class listened to the same music chosen specifically for the festival while they worked. Hundreds of works were created, and 75 were chosen by judges.

The family-friendly festivities will kick off at 2 p.m., with a concert at the First Presbyterian Church on Broadway. Featured groups include several student and faculty ensembles from Southeast Missouri State University, with the Southeast Faculty Brass Quintet performing a child-inspired piece composed by Dr. Robert Fruehwald.

From there the hundreds of kids and families will make the short trip to the Arts Council on Main Street for a reception. At the Arts Council it's all about the kids -- Christmas cookies will be served along with hot chocolate.

The kids will also get a little taste of celebrity status by autographing published booklets of festival art.

As an added bonus, each kid also gets a commemorative T-shirt.

The display will stay at the galleries of the arts council throughout December. For more information call 334-9233.

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Just the Facts:

What: Children's Arts Festival

Where: First Presbyterian Church, Arts Council

When: Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

Info: 334-9233