New Broadway sculpture exhibit to be unveiled today

Things are looking a little different along Broadway in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Crews recently began switching out the sculptures that line the street in advance of the city's third public outdoor exhibit. The seven new pieces have been selected by juror and artist James Johnson (with input from Cape's Public Art Committee) and will be unveiled this evening at 6 p.m. A public reception will be held at the Vasterling Suites courtyard at Broadway and Fountain Street.

"Artists selected in this year's exhibition have created works of art that are reflective of their interest in nature, communications, and contemporary society," Johnson said in his juror's statement, according to a story in the Southeast Missourian.

This year's artists are Jacob Burmood of Springfield, Missouri; Ben Pierce of Cape Girardeau; Nathan Pierce of Cape Girardeau; Bounnak Thammavong and Stephanie Sailer, both of Swisher, Iowa; Mike Sneller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Will Vannerson of Kansas City, Missouri.

Funding for the exhibit is provided by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, the National Endowment for the Arts and Old Town Cape.

Each piece can be seen not only by Broadway pedestrians, but by those driving past in their cars. We look forward to this exhibit, which brings visual art to those who might not otherwise be exposed to it. Congratulations to this year's chosen artists, and to all those who work to bring the exhibit together each year.