An opening reception will be held Friday, May 6 from 4-8 p.m. with an artist’s talk at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Sahli will also lead an “Abstract Painting” workshop May 19-21 at the Museum. Pre-registration is required by May 11 at semo.edu/museum. 

As a plein air painter and teacher, Sahli uses color as a tool to express form and emotion in his work.

"In this solo exhibit of over 40 paintings, some as large as six feet, Sahli's command over color, value, and temperature with very thick paint application is sensational,” said Ellen Flentge, Museum curator of education. “Sahli's style is frequently representational and inspired by still life and landscapes that show depth and often depict mood. A new path Sahli is exploring is abstract work and neon paints."

Sahli travels widely, continually expanding his view and growing as a professional artist. He has painted for more than 40 years and taught for 25 years. 

“Everyone looks for a label. I would like to be known as a painter – one who painted what he saw and experienced while wandering around on their journey,” he said. “I am a better painter because I teach. My students inspire me as we journey together.” 

Sahli’s pedigree as a painter began early, when at the age of 15 he started to show professionally in Taos, New Mexico. When he was 19 years old, he served as an apprentice under Russian painter Sergei Bongart and was Bongart’s last scholarship student. In 1988, Sahli was a guest artist at National Academy of Western Art (NAWA) at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Sahli and his artwork has been featured in ArtTour International Magazine and on the cover of Artist’s Magazine.

The Crisp Museum is located in the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus, located at 518 S. Fountain St. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 1-4 p.m. on weekends and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of the month.