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
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
September 14, 21, 28
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. Come in to learn the tile names, how to read the card, the pregame called the Charleston, and the process to draw and discard. An official Mah Jongg card is not required to learn.
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.
Hawaiian Ice Social
August 24 and 25
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
free / drop-in
Welcome SEMO students! For a cool treat, stop by for a free Hawaiian Ice and a photo opportunity with props at Crisp Museum.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Collage with Emily Denlinger
August 27
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
Museum Open House
August 29
1-4 p.m.
Stop in the Crisp Museum and view our regional video, see interesting displays related to SEMO students' excavations with dinosaur bones from the Bad Lands, local history, fine art, and much more.
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.
September 9, 2026
Lazy Susan Basket Making with Laura Klaus
9 a.m. until finished
Provide your own refreshments/lunch.
Preregister and pay $75 by Sept. 2 online or in person at the museum.
Follow step by step with Laura Klaus to create your 12" wide x 4" tall, round Lazy Susan basket 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.
September 10
Paint NIght: Under the Sea
6-9 p.m.
Preregistration due by September 8 / $10 Public fee required or Free to SEMO students
Follow step by step to create your underwater landscape and add interesting subjects using stencils. Create your own seek and find with distant shapes or hidden objects or phrases for viewers to find. Add final touches with bubbles.
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.
Chainmail
September 12
1-4 p.m. / Free
Preregister online http://semo.edu click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts or come by the museum.
Create your own basic chainmail at Crisp Museum! Crisp Museum will host a basic chainmail make-and-take activity from 1-4 p.m.
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
September 15, 2026
Preregistration and $25 Fee due by Sept 14. Contact Christine at (573) 450-9822.
Curves Aren't Scary is a one-day sewing workshop. Follow the calm guidance of Jodi Forhan to create curves to the left and curves to the right using your sewing machine with seasonal inspiration using a mini pumpkin quilt pattern.
This workshop takes place at Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum on September 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
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.
September 21
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
This event is only open to the SEMO University community.
Free / Preregistration is required by Sept. 18.
Test your knowledge at Trivia Night!
Five groups of up to six players each can battle wits in this Jeopardy-style trivia game challenge. Refreshments will be provided.
Questions: (573) 651-2260
Collage with Emily Denlinger
September 24
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
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
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.
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
Contact Us
Phone
Location
Office
River Campus
175 Cultural Arts Center
518 S. Fountain
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Mailing Address
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701