Mahjong: December - January
Mondays: 12/22, 1/5, 1/12, 1/26; Thursdays: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29
10 a.m. at Crisp Museum / free and open to individuals

Each Monday and Thursday, individuals will meet at the Crisp Museum to socialize and play. Mahjong is a tile-based game, where players draw and discard to create groupings to complete a specific hand of 14 tiles.
Beginner lessons start by learning tile names and groupings. A Mahjong card lists the hands that you choose from. Learn to read the card hands and the specific league rules. Etiquette is also explained, because some groups use different table rules than others. 
Chairs will be available, but game sets and card tables will need to be arranged. A National Mah Jongg League card is not required for beginners.

Questions: Ellen Flentge (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.

Art for Adults
Tuesdays or Wednesdays (Not available June 24 - July 4)
9 a.m. - Noon or 2 - 5 p.m.  
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 skintones 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.

LEGO Family Day
January 24 /10 a.m. - 4 p.m. / free
This event is open to the public.

You are invited to enjoy a day of LEGO-themed stories, games, and activities. Try our new LEGO scavenger hunt. Bricks will be provided.

Build the tallest tower you can. Use your phone with the Brickit app to find what can be built from a pile of bricks. A micro challenge will have you thinking small to make fast, fun things. LEGO displays will be shown, and coloring sheets will be available. But best of all, we have door prizes being awarded every hour. Fun for all ages!

Special exhibits are donated for this event by Brennon Seibold - Harry Potter; Zach Fance - Star Wars, James Bond; Jena Gerard - Big Bang Theory, Friends TV Shows; Samantha McCallister - Pirates of the Caribbean; Jim Phillips - Wizard of OZ; and Gary Tyler - Formula 1 and Scooby Doo.

This event is brought to you in part by St. Francis Healthcare Systems.

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

Blue Jean Bunny Patch 
February 7
Free / Open to the Public / Drop-in Make and Take
1-4 p.m. 

Cut shapes, assemble, and iron onto your own blue jean patch using our supplies. Make single or several bunny friends on your patch. Are they coming toward you, going away with their cotton tail showing, or hopping along to the side? You may also accent with stitching if you like. Samples will be shown.

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 Gary Tyler gtyler@semo.edu

Paint Night: Love You a Latte
February 12
6-9 p.m.
Fee $10 / Free for SEMO students  
Pre-register online, click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts/supplies provided

Participants will make a painting showing a latte in a cup and saucer or a tall cup with a fancy heart or foam, and swirling lines using colors of their choice. The starter design suggestion will be shown. Add lettering to your painting to 

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 Em: museum@semo.edu.

Exhibiting Excellence: 48th Annual Juried High School Student Exhibition
February 15-March 8, 2026
Free   
Reception February 15, 2-4 p.m.

Crisp Museum will host the 48th Annual “Exhibiting Excellence” Juried High School Exhibition from February 15 through March 8.

The Bunny Patch Wall Hanging  
February 20
$10 / Preregister by Feb. 16, click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Bring a sewing machine/supplies required / limited seating
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Start with a background fabric. Add grass, flowers, or a fence. Maybe, give your bunny a persona with glasses, a book, snacks, or do people things. Cut shapes, assemble, and iron onto your background fabric. Make a single one or several bunny friends together. Samples will be shown. Size can be approximately 15" x 20" before adding a border.

This activity is in cooperation with the River Heritage Quilters' Guild of Cape Girardeau to promote the love of sewing to new generations.

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 Em: museum@semo.edu.

Collage with Emily Denlinger
February 26
6-8 p.m.
Free / 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

Ukrainian Pysanka Egg Decoration
March 6 or 7
1-4 p.m.
Preregistration required by March 4, with a $5 fee / Supplies are provided
Click Enroll in Class and follow the prompts to pay with a credit card. Drop in to prepay with cash or check.

The workshops, which are open to ages nine and older, are planned from 1-4 p.m. both days. No experience is required, and supplies will be provided.

Cost for this workshop is $5, and pre-registration with a fee is required by March 4 or in-person at the Museum.

The name Pysanky comes from the verb to write. A stylus, called a kistka, is used to write with wax on the eggshell. The kistka has a handle and a small funnel which holds melted wax. 

During these workshops, Pysanky surface design and handling techniques will be demonstrated. Participants will create their own Pysanky egg with rich dyes and symbolic designs using a wax resist process. 

Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Questions: (573) 651-2260.

March 10th
Wine Basket with Laura Klaus
Preregistration and $65 Fee due by March 5  
Click Enroll in Class and follow prompts to pay with a credit card. To pay with cash or check, come to the museum front desk.

Laura Klaus will guide each step of the group, which has a 15-person limit. It begins with a flat over/under process and is secured with smaller weavers before bending the sides upward to continue the pattern. The 8 x 5 x10 wine basket comes with the wood glass holder. Participants will have several colors to choose from on a first-come basis.

Klaus has been weaving for over 30 years. Her passion began from watching her grandfather, who grew and harvested his own willow to weave.  She teaches at a local community college as well as several state historic sites in both MO and IL, and has a booth at fiber events throughout the Midwest. She enjoys writing her own patterns and teaching all age groups and weaving levels, especially beginners.  Klaus’s spouse of 40 years is a great supporter and is often with her at events in historical costume. demonstrating at historic events!

Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Questions: (573) 651-2260.

Evergreen Horizon Tote
May 22 
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$10 / Preregister by May 12, click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Prepurchase the pattern / Sewing machine and supplies required / Limited seating

Follow step by step to create an attractive landscape of hills and evergreens on a sunny day, made with fabric in warm colors. Then, turn it into a nice tote you'll enjoy carrying anywhere. 

This workshop is in cooperation with the River Heritage Quilters' Guild of Cape Girardeau to promote sewing to new generations.

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.