Floodwall art will be important city addition

To the editor:

I am very much impressed with the proposed painting of Chicago artist Thomas Melvin that appeared in the Missourian recently and will be painted on the floodwall. Only a true and excellent artist such as Melvin is capable of depicting such an apropos picture highlighting the new bridge with the late Bill Emerson's picture along with our old bridge.

The artist, whose paintings and drawings are widely known to be of excellence and beautifully and professionally done, may even surpass all other paintings now on the floodwall. Hardly a present or future artist could equal that of Melvin, along with artists who will depict the Lewis and Clark expedition.

When I attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College, I took a class in art called Primary Hand Work. I made an A-plus-plus, but that was then, and this is now. I no longer have any skill whatsoever in art, save my genuine love and appreciation of it, which I will never lose.

The paintings to appear on the floodwall will be historical in nature and bear a written explanation of the scenes. What a wonderful accomplishment for Cape Girardeau that will be. Unless you can enjoy and appreciate progress so vital to life, you will lose an important, interesting and big part of life itself.

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau