Summer arts festival offers free fun for all this Saturday

Though most college students have left campus for the summer, Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus will be buzzing with activity Saturday during the Community Summer Arts Festival.

The annual event, which starts at 10 a.m., will have activities and entertainment for all ages. The main entertainment stage will feature acts such as the Jerry Ford Combo and Abbie Fieser. The Department of Music will showcase vocal and guitar performances. The Acting Laboratory Camp participants will perform, and there will be stage combat exhibitions.

Outside, there will be sidewalk chalk drawing and demonstrations by local artist Craig Thomas. Children can join Thomas in drawing on the "Avenue of Art."

In the Cultural Arts Center, Deana Luetkenhaus will host demonstrations on mask-making. Exhibits, sales and demonstrations on printmaking, painting and ceramics will be take place, and a plein-air painting competition will be held. For those who are less artistic but want to join in the fun, the Lazy L Safari Park will be on hand with a petting zoo.

Two stage productions are planned during the festival. "Honk! Jr.," based on "The Ugly Duckling," will be performed for free in the Bedell Performance Hall. "Steel Magnolias" will be performed that evening in the Rust Flexible Theatre, closing out the festival.

Regardless of what your favorite style of art is, there will be something for everyone. It's a fantastic opportunity to experience art of all kinds, both as audience and artist. So bring the family and enjoy a Saturday with the arts.