YOUNG AND TALENTED

More than 130 paintings, drawings, sculptures and works of fiber art created by local children will be on display at Gallery 100 beginning Friday.

Titled "Artists and Their Art," the exhibit consists of work created in July during the annual summer art workshops sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

More than 200 students ages 6-16 participated. Most were from Cape Girardeau and Jackson, while some came from Chaffee, Millersville, Oak Ridge, Pocahontas, Scott City and Bloomfield.

"This art program is probably the best program within 100 miles," said Brenda Seyer, one of the teachers.

The students were tutored in the different media by Seyer, Carol Horst and Elizabeth Thomas. In addition, guest demonstrations were provided by artists Mark Dirnberger, Sarah Riley, Pat Reagan-Woodard and Grant Lund.

All the students were given the privilege of exhibiting something. Not all chose to do so. Those who did picked out the pieces they liked best, and then the teachers helped them make a final choice.

"It was a learning process for the students as well in evaluating what they have done," Seyer said.

Giving each child an opportunity to exhibit work is part of the lesson the workshops tried to teach about being an artist, Seyer said.

"Within each of us is an artist. Children often submerge that because they don't think anybody will like what they've done."

The work will be exhibited at child's-eye level at the gallery at 1707 Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

The exhibit will conclude with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. The students and parents can pick up the artwork at that time.

"We will have cookies and punch as opposed to wine and cheese," Seyer said.