WORK OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON DISPLAY AT UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Art and the University Museum are providing an opportunity for artistically talented high school students to exhibit their work in a museum gallery.

Area high school students have been selected by their teachers and classmates to compete in a special juried selection of artworks in a University Museum exhibition in February.

An opening reception for area high school students, their families and friends is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the University Museum Gallery. An awards presentation will be held at 2:30 p.m. The Downtown Blues Band will play blues music and refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

Thomas Herd, an artist and teacher from Pacific, will jury the student drawings, prints, sculptures, fibers and ceramics to be exhibited, and will select entries to receive awards for best artistic merit.

"Art faculty at Southeast Missouri State University are anxious to celebrate the creative ability of area high school students," said Pat Reagan-Woodard, University Museum director.

In conjunction with the opening reception, university department of art studios, across the street from the Museum Gallery, will be open for tours. University art majors also will be available to answer questions about the university's art program and life on campus.

The exhibition runs Sunday through Feb. 28. The Museum Gallery is in Memorial Hall on Circle Drive on the campus. Admission is free. Parking is available. Regular museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call 651-2260.