Talents perfected over time

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will play host this month to a first-of-its-kind exhibit giving the state's senior citizens a chance to show off their artistic talent.

Starting today and running through June 25, Gallery 100, located at 32 N. Main St., will present the "Good Vintage" traveling exhibit -- a juried showing of artwork by residents 50 or older from around Missouri.

The exhibit starts with an opening reception today from 5 to 8 p.m. during which awards will be given out for Best in Show, Juror's Choice and Honorable Mention.

Susan Corvick of Scott City, oil, "Tomatoes & Roses"

Four arts councils throughout the state -- the local council, the Hannibal Arts Council, the Raintree Arts Council in Clarksville and the Branson Arts Council -- came together to make the exhibit possible, but it was the Southeast council where the concept started.

In 2003 the Southeast council held its own "Good Vintage" exhibit, which was so well received the council decided to contact the other three councils for a traveling show, said Margaret Dement with the Southeast council.

"This time we tried to make something more out of it," said Dement. "It's been very well received. We're real excited this came together and will travel through January."

Bill Needle of Cape Girardeau, acrylic, "A Lifetime of Travels"

Twenty-three two-dimensional pieces will be featured in the exhibit in a variety of styles and media. Six pieces from the local council were selected, including works by Vicki Outman of Jackson, Steve Turner of St. Louis, Aaron Horrell of Chaffee, Cleda Curtis-Neal of Oran and Bill Needle and Glinda Seabaugh, both of Cape Girardeau.

Each council was invited to submit works, with varying numbers from each juried into the show. The show will travel throughout the state, going to Hannibal in late July, Clarksville in September and Branson in December.

Dement said Cape Girardeau has a large pool of talented senior artists, and the response from them was so overwhelming the council decided to have a second show of all local artists in the Lorimier Gallery at the same time.

Tony Schuch of Cape Girardeau, acrylic, "Silent Homecoming"

Out of the pieces submitted to the local council, those that didn't make the traveling exhibit were juried further to create the local exhibit, Dement said.

Even though these pieces didn't make the traveling exhibit, that doesn't necessarily make them second-rate, she said.

"This is still a very strong show," said Dement.

Like the traveling exhibit, the local collection features still lifes, landscapes, abstract pieces, photography, watercolors, acrylics and other kinds of two-dimensional works.

After leaving the council galleries the local exhibit will travel to Chateau Girardeau, which is sponsoring the award prizes for the traveling show.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182