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.
Each Monday and Thursday at Crisp Museum
10 a.m. / free and open to individuals
You may learn to play here, free.
Mahjong is a tile-based game, where players draw and discard to create groupings to complete a specific hand of 14 tiles. Lessons start by learning tile names and groupings. A Mah Jongg card has the hands listed on it 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.
Each Monday and Thursday, individuals will meet at the Crisp Museum to socialize and play. Chairs will be available, but game sets and card tables will need to be arranged. Beginners are welcome to learn how to play here, and for them, a National Mah Jongg Card is not required.
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.
Noon-3 p.m. on Mondays / free
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.
Art for Adults
Tuesdays or Wednesdays (Not available June 24-July 4)
9 a.m.- Noon or 2-5 p.m.
Fee $5 / Preregister
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 watercolor. 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.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. / free, drop-in / bring your supplies
Bring your fabric and supplies to socialize with others as you make progress on your piece. For any fiber workers, spinning, felting, embroidery, or cross-stitch, bring your sewing machine and supplies if needed. Table space is provided with an electricity connection. A cutting surface with supplies is provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
6-9 p.m. / Preregistration required / $10 fee
Online registration click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
Follow step by step to create a peaceful image of birds in silhouette at dusk, in acrylic paint, and decorate with style to enhance it as you like to suggest grasslands, a tree branch, a birdhouse, or near their nest. All supplies will be provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260.
July 24 Collage at Crisp
6-8 p.m.
Free and open to the public/drop in
Collage at Crisp is in cooperation with the Department of Art + Design at Southeast Missouri State University and hosted at Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, 6-9 p.m., February 27, 2025.
Participants will choose elements from provided media and materials to layer and assemble their pieces. Emily Denlinger, professor in Art + Design, will give direction and guidance for beginners.
Creating collages encourages experimentation with colors and textures, promotes fine motor skills development, and can be a fun and engaging way to explore ideas and concepts through various arrangements. The piece you make will be an original one-of-a-kind. Narratives can be created that give the viewer an idea of a subject and its environment. Characters can also be created that are constructed from parts of different faces.
Additional Collage at Crisp nights will occur on the 4th Thursday of the month.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
July 29 or 30, 2025 *Registration begins the first week of July
Baskets with Laura Klaus: Large Market Basket $65
Preregistration is required 1 week before class / limited seating fills up fast
Preregister online and click "Enroll in Class." Follow the prompts
Note: Online payment requires a card. To pay by check or cash, please visit the museum. Supplies will be provided.
*Additional upcoming sessions will have registration beginning the first week of July.
September 23 and 24 / Square Cake Carrier $50 / 12" x 10" x 6"
October 23 and 29 / Carrier Squared $65 / 14" x 12" x 6"
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email: museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center.
Laura Klaus has been weaving for over 30 years. Her passion began from watching her grandfather grow and harvest willow to weave. She teaches at a local community college and several state historic sites in both MO and IL, and has a booth at fiber events throughout the Midwest. She enjoys writing 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.
6-9 p.m. / $10 / Preregister online and click Enroll in Class, and follow prompts, or call (573) 651-2260.
Follow step by step to create a peaceful image of vases with different colors of flowers in them, in acrylic paint. Show transparent glass and cool shadows to give your vases form. All supplies will be provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. / free
Visit River Campus for the HCAM Picnic full of fun activities, games, and food. Burgers, snowcones, sidewalk chalk drawing, art exhibitions at Crisp Museum, and more! Meet new Freshmen and returning Redhawks to kick off the semester.
August 18 and 19
Hawaiian Ice Social (for SEMO community)
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. / free
Welcome, SEMO Freshmen and returning students! For a cool treat, stop by for a free Hawaiian Ice and a photo opportunity with props at Crisp Museum inside the Cultural Arts Center at River Campus, 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
1-4 p.m. / free and open to the public / drop in
Drop in Crisp Museum and tour our history and art galleries. Pick up a list of our upcoming activities and see what we have to offer that you would like. Workshops and fun classes happen here. Expand your creativity and knowledge of this region at Crisp Museum.
Questions (573) 651-2260.
August 28 Collage at Crisp Museum
6-8 p.m. / free and open to the public / drop in
Collage at Crisp is in cooperation with the Department of Art + Design at Southeast Missouri State University and hosted at Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, 6-9 p.m., February 27, 2025.
Participants will choose elements from provided media and materials to layer and assemble their pieces. Emily Denlinger, professor in Art + Design, will give direction and guidance for beginners.
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
Sept. 9, 2025
Mumbo Gumbo Block Piecing Workshop with Vickie Howard
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (or finish sooner) / Fee $15 / Preregister / Supply list required
Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, in partnership with River Heritage Quilters (RHQG), presents a Mumbo Gumbo Quilt Block Piecing Workshop with Vickie Howard, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., on September 9, 2025.
Want to spend a fun day with Vickie Howard? Use up your fabric scraps by making a bright Mumbo Gumbo Quilt. No pattern is necessary. All the sewing is straight lines for the quilt blocks. Go beyond a limited color scheme into a "more color is better" mode.
Preregister to save your space by Sept. 8 and pay by cash or check to RHQG on the day of this event. Click "Enroll in class," follow the prompts, and select "Pay later." Pre-cutting and pre-sewing directions will be given out after sign-up.
Mrs. Howard is the 2025 president of Loose Threads Quilt Guild in St. Peters, MO. She was also president of RHQG many years ago. Now, she makes quilts for various charities, speaks at quilt guilds, and spends time with her granddaughter.
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.
___________
WORKSHOP SUPPLIES:
- Fabric Scraps
*If you would like to do a “swap,” bring 10-2 ½ inch strips of either bright polka dot fabric or brights to the workshop. - Sewing Basics;
- Sewing machine in working order;
- Variety of brights/polka dots 2”-3” wide. Any length from 5”-13”;
- 12 ½ “ square ruler.
- Decide what color you want for the center. Yellow and black will make it POP! ½ yard black print; ½ yard yellow print. Vickie used red/green for her Christmas one and orange and black for her Halloween quilt.
Midnight Waterfall
6-9 p.m. Sept. 11
Preregistration and $10 fee required
Follow step by step to create a nighttime glowing waterfall, in acrylic paint. Show transparent glass and cool shadows to give your vases form. All supplies will be provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260.
September 23 or 24, 2025 *Registration begins the first week of July
Baskets with Laura Klaus: Square Cake Carrier, $50
Preregistration is required 1 week before class / limited seating fills up fast
Preregister online and click "Enroll in Class." Follow the prompts
Note: Online payment requires a card. To pay by check or cash, please visit the museum. Supplies will be provided.
*Additional upcoming sessions will have registration beginning the first week of July.
October 23 and 29 / Carrier Squared $65 / 14" x 12" x 6"
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email: museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center.
Laura Klaus has been weaving for over 30 years. Her passion began from watching her grandfather grow and harvest willow to weave. She teaches at a local community college and several state historic sites in both MO and IL, and has a booth at fiber events throughout the Midwest. She enjoys writing 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.
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
9 a.m.-3 p.m. / free, drop-in / bring your supplies
Bring your fabric and supplies to socialize with others as you make progress on your piece. For any fiber workers, spinning, felting, embroidery, or cross-stitch, bring your sewing machine and supplies if needed. Table space is provided with an electricity connection.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
October 28 or 29, 2025 *Registration begins the first week of July
Baskets with Laura Klaus: Carrier Squared, $65
Preregistration is required 1 week before class / limited seating fills up fast
Preregister online and click "Enroll in Class." Follow the prompts
Note: Online payment requires a card. To pay by check or cash, please visit the museum. Supplies will be provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Email: museum@semo.edu
Map: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Crisp Museum is located inside Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Cultural Arts Center.
1-4 p.m.
Questions: (573) 651-2260, museum@semo.edu
River Campus
175 Cultural Arts Center
518 S. Fountain
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701