Education
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Whether you want to make your own art or explore local artistic constructs, look no further.
Instructional crafting sessions and information on local artistic events can be found at the Crisp Museum. View the activities and lectures offered through the museum and enroll in a class today.
Activities, Workshops, Presentations and Demos
Museum program details are below. Some activities have pre-registration, age limits, and possible fees. If you can't find your answer, please call (573) 651-2260 or email museum@semo.edu to speak with a person during work hours or leave a message.
Noon - 3 p.m. on Mondays / free
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16
December 7, 14, 21
Local artists can gather here to socialize and create in our space. In fair weather, a small group will meet at an off-site location for plein air painting. For more details, contact Ellen Flentge at (573) 651-2260.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. / free / drop in
A game with 8 jokers can't be bad. The goal is to make a hand with 14 tiles so you can say, "Mah Jongg!" before the other players. This event is free. Participants can play in their own group or meet others who have found the joy of Mah Jongg.
Art for Adults 9 a.m. - Noon or 2 - 5 p.m.
Tuesdays or Wednesdays
August 4 - December 16 (may attend when you can)
Fee $5 / Pre-register online and click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
This is a small group. Beginners will learn to mix the colors that they need and how to arrange a palette, use the brushes, and clean them correctly. You may use the museum’s supplies or bring your acrylics, oils, soft pastels, or watercolors. Color theory works for all media, and once you learn it, you can try them all. Paint from pictures you take or find to make works to keep or gift—mini lessons taught by Ellen Flentge.
Questions: (573) 651-2660.
Portrait Painting
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. First and third Thursdays, January-June
Fee $5 / Pre-register online and click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
Learn the most important steps related to facial features to make a successful likeness of someone.
Paint from pictures you take or use examples to practice color mixing, skin tones, and clothing in light and shadow. Use various values and intensities of colors to create the convex and concave forms that represent a person's image. Participants may share tips and tricks with others. Mini-lessons are taught by Ellen Flentge.
Questions: (573) 651-2660.
October 1-31, 2026
Free / 9am-5pm weekdays, 1-4pm Saturday
Open to the public
Participants will be given our list of halloween themed items to locate in the haunted history gallery. Turn in your completed list and sign and include your contact number. A winner will be chosen Oct. 31 to win the candy in our cauldron.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Southeast Missouri State University's Cultural Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu.
Paint NIght: Spook House
October 8
6-9 p.m.
Preregistration due by June 10 / $10 Public fee required or Free to SEMO students
Follow step by step to create your evening sky and add interesting subjects like a full moon, silhouette of a haunted house, or glowing eyes peeking out from the dark areas, and add a couple ghosts. Supplies are provided.
Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu.
Watercolor with Kathy Morrison
October 9 and 10
Preregistration required with $30 Fee by October 2, 2026.
Pre-register online and click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
Supply List Provided closer to classtime and after enrollment.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu.
Finger Weaving
October 10, 2026
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Preregister online http://semo.edu click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts or come by the museum.
Learn the basics of finger weaving, which is flat braiding, using hand-spun, dyed plant fibers that have been made into yarn. The width of your weaving can be a couple to a few inches wide. Patterns will be created by the systematic weaving process when more than one color is used.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
Create your own unique collage at Crisp Museum!
This is a fun way to incorporate figures, create an imaginative environment, break the rules of proportion, pair things that never usually go together, and still make a statement in a nice composition. You have the creativity, just make time to use it!
Participants are to bring their own media and materials to layer and assemble their pieces. Guidance and assistance will be given to beginners. Snacks will be provided.
This event is free and open to the public.
Our guest speaker is Susan Lucy, who will present stories behind the art of Gary Lucy. Lucy was know to do historical research to understand the focus of many of his attractive paintings. From his intrinsic talented beginning to the last piece he worked on, before he passed, attendees will enjoy the depictions, details, and almost real view of his works. Lucy's outstanding compositions have depth, many are narratives and capture a glimpse of the past in stunning color from sky to ground.
The exhibition Gary Lucy: Retrospective will be on display Oct. 23-December 5 and is free and open to the public.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Plastic Skull Décor
October 24
1-4 p.m.
Free / Open to the public / Supplies are provided
Preregistration required online: https://semo.edu/museum Click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts. Click "Pay Later" but you won't.
Participants will use acrylic paint to accent the surface of their plastic skull. It can be made colorful for the Day of the Dead, gruesome for Halloween, or originally authentic by you in your own style.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
October 31
1-4 p.m.
Free / Open to the public
Come in your costume for candy and our last chance at the scavenger hunt to win the candy in the cauldron. Make and take activities will be on hand like misfit monsters, a creepy eyeball, and color pages.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
November 6 or 7, 2026
9am-4pm
Adults / Preregistration and $15 Fee due one week prior / Some supplies provided, list given after sign-up
Join Gahada Sultani-Hoffman for a one-day felting workshop on November 6 or 7 from 9am-4pm Learn to create beautiful works art using the unique process called Felting, which is also known as Painting with Wool.
The processes Sultani-Hoffman will teach are based on the techniques by Moy Mackay, an award winning Scottish artist who is regarded as the leading authority of this art form. Participants will learn carding, arranging wool fibers with a wet-felting process to turn the work into a solid piece. A second technique will use needle-felting to add detail and additional elements to make a beautiful work of art. Other additions can involve hand stitching on your piece.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu.
November 10, 2026
Bands of Color Basket Weaving with Laura Klaus
9 a.m. until finished
Provide your own refreshments/lunch.
Reserve your spot https://semo.edu/museum Click Enroll in Class and follow prompt
Fee $85 must be paid by Nov. 3 online or in person at the museum.
Follow step by step with Laura Klaus to create your 11" x 11" x 9" Bands of Color basket with colored middle bands in a matter of hours. Natural fibers are dampened and woven to create an attractive finished piece in one session.
Questions: Museum (573) 651-2260 Em: museum@semo.edu
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Paint NIght: Colorful Fall
November 12
6-9 p.m.
Preregistration due by November 10 / $10 Public fee required or Free to SEMO students
Register online https://semo.edu/museum Click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Follow step by step to create your colorful sky and add a tree with fall leaves that are swirling all around. Extra details to add may be harvest items like pumpkins and apples, or sunflowers, birds, and more.
Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu.
November 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a lunch break.
Preregistration and $40 Fee required by November 6, 2026.
Pay with a card online https://semo.edu and click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts or with cash or check at Crisp Museum in person. Some supplies will be provided and a supply list will be given at sign up.
"Participants will learn the Four Gentlemen techniques—plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. The Four Gentlemen are among the most beloved traditional subjects in Chinese brush painting and beautifully represent the elegance, character, and spirit of nature through the changing seasons. These subjects are excellent for participants at any level, especially beginners, because they introduce the essential brush techniques of Chinese painting while also allowing room for personal expression," Lin states.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
Crisp Museum is located at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus inside the Cultural Arts Center at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape GIrardeau, MO 63703.
Preregistration required by one day before, online https://semo.edu or drop in the museum.
Participants will solve problems and discover clues to escape the room before time is up.
More details coming soon, please check back.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Em: museum@semo.edu
Paint NIght: Snowman & Hot Cocoa
December 12
6-9 p.m.
Preregistration due by December 10 / $10 Public fee required or Free to SEMO students
Register online: https://semo.edu/museum Click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Follow step by step to create a marshmallow snowman that is floating in a cup of hot cocoa with acrylic paints. Add details like a candy cane, sparkeling lights and holiday greenery. Supplies are provided.
Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu.
December 12, 2026
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Free
Preregister online http://semo.edu click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts or come by the museum.
Let your creativity spiral! Come to Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum coil some paper and make your own holiday themed quilled ornaments. Create a shape and fill the inside with designs using one color or several.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
Collage with Emily Denlinger
October 22
6-8 p.m.
Free / Drop In / Open to the Public / Supplies Provided
This is a fun way to incorporate figures, create an imaginative environment, break the rules of proportion, pair things that never usually go together, and still make a statement in a nice composition. You have the creativity, just make time to use it!
Participants will choose elements from the provided media and materials to layer and assemble their pieces, or may bring their own. Emily Denlinger, professor in Art and Design, will give guidance and assistance to beginners. Supplies and refreshments will be provided.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Southeast Missouri State University's Cultural Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: Emily Denlinger: edenlinger@semo.edu
Contact Us
Phone
Location
Office
River Campus
175 Cultural Arts Center
518 S. Fountain
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Mailing Address
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701