Southeast Missouri State Universitys River Campus announces the event lineup for its annual Summer Arts Festival offering a full day of visual and performing arts exhibitions and activities on Saturday, June 19.
The days events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature live music, dance and theatrical performances, visual arts displays, hands-on family-friendly art experiential activities, art demonstrations, museum exhibitions, and other hands-on activities throughout the River Campus. The event is free and open to all ages in the entire region. The full River Campus Summer Arts Festival lineup is available here.
After last years cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very excited to have the Summer Arts Festival return and to once again celebrate the arts and artists from across our region, said Rhonda Weller-Stilson, dean of Southeasts Earl and Margie Holland College of Arts and Media. This year has truly shown us the value of the arts and entertainment in our lives, and we are so proud to have a supportive community who is has passionate as we are about the arts and to celebrate with us, visit the River Campus and enjoy all it has to offer.
This years Festival will provide opportunities for families and art lovers of all ages to enjoy engaging live performances, art activities and competitions, Weller-Stilson said. There are activities that will appeal to every member of the family.
Live performances:
- One-act play readings from short plays by five Missouri-based playwrights as part of the first annual Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival.
- Aerial dance
- Dance Consortium
- Acting Laboratory Camp
- Aerial Arts Camp
- The Conservatory Dance Intensive Studio
- Southeast Steel Drum Alumni Band
- Stage combat demonstration
Outdoor entertainment will be provided by:
- The Jerry Ford Dixieland Band
- Jumper Cables
- Eric Scott
- Chestnut Mountain Gang-Folk
- Jerry Ford and Friends
- Lindsey and Landon
Art studios and booths include:
- Demonstrations in pottery, bookmaking, printmaking, keychains and upcycled guitars
- Art for sale from local artists
- Demonstrations by Southeast faculty members like Benjie Heu, who will create ceramic pieces using a live pottery wheel, Louise Bodenheimer, Justin Miller and Chris Wubbena
- Art and geometry outdoor activities
- Book Marks with Kelly
- The Quilt Project, created during the Bridges Diversity Showcase event held in the spring
- Avenue of Art chalking activity in front of the Cultural Arts Center
- Plein Air Competition hosted by the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum
Exhibitions:
- Inner City Dreamers Exhibition by Epic Program and ConNEXTions in the Dobbins Center Gallery
- Faculty Exhibition, an exhibition featuring works by Southeasts Department of Art and Design faculty members, in the Crisp Museum and Seminary Building Gallery
Food and drinks will be available all day from Chartwells in St. Vincents Commons in the Kenneth and Jeanine Dobbins River Campus Center and from local food trucks. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own food and picnics.
The full River Campus Summer Arts Festival lineup is available here.
Festival sponsors include Southeast Missouri State University, Saint Francis Healthcare System, Drury Southwest Signs, City of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation, Southeast Missourian/Rust Communications, Southern Convenience, River Radio, Ciao, Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, Missouri Department of Conservation, KRCU, Century Casino Cape Girardeau, Earl and Margie Holland College of Arts and Media, The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance, the Universitys departments of art and design and music, the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, Jimmy Johns, Tri-State Water, Power, and Air, The Plant Lady Corner, The Southerner, Bella Italia, Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Ameren Missouri and Minglewood Brewery. Partners include Old Town Cape, The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and United Way of Southeast Missouri.