How is your summer going? The other day, before a planning meeting for this coming December’s Holiday Boutique at Hyde House, I turned to Dan Trogdon and asked, “How is your summer going?” Seeing his look of puzzlement, I quickly realized I was asking about summer while still dancing with our fickle spring. (In spite of my out-of-season confusion, a delightful conversation followed about the beauty of planting zinnias for summer color.) I confess, while always intending to live focused in the present moment, from time to time I suffer from a momentary lapse into time warped disorientation, as my daily job constantly has me |
Planning, always planning is what we do at artCentral, as we fill our annual calendars with thoughtfully crafted, artful opportunities to offer to you. When I first stepped in as artCentral’s DirectorCurator, our board of directors gathered as a group to share our hopes and dreams for artCentral’s future. Many inspiring ideas were identified. Our president, Eric Haun, suggested staging a faculty exhibition for one of our regional universities.
Acting on Eric’s suggestion, board member Gail White and I visited with Delores Honey, MSSU Director of Donor Relations, who put me in touch with the MSSU art department. Meeting last April with art faculty members, a plan was made and quickly begun. Lee Pound, Alumni Director, secured the Missouri Southern Alumni Association as exhibition underwriter. Devon Estes, acting as faculty coordinator, completed the paperwork. Ed Outhouse designed the posters and invitations.
After a year’s gestation, Eric’s seed, well planted, is ready to take bloom! Opening April 8th, Missouri Southern State University’s “Radiant 88” features the mixed media artworks of nine gifted art faculty members. The Friday, April 8th Reception is 6-8 pm at 1110 East Thirteenth Street. Hors d’œuvres and libations will be served. The public is invited. Admission is free. Donations are welcomed.
“Radiant 88” reveals the illuminated creativity of teaching colleagues who support, challenge, inspire and encourage not only their students but one another, as well. As teachers, seekers and makers, these artists masterfully stretch and explore, discover and reveal.
Considered as a collection, “Radiant 88”, extends into infinity doubled—“8” times 2. This exhibition, like Charlotte’s web, is a diaphanous, powerful, wondrous creation—radiating out, illuminating, tugging at the mind, at the heart, at the imagination.
As glistening dew drops on a sun-drenched, silken weaving, nine wizards of illumination and revelation invite you, the viewer, to walk into their woven world. Entering into their inspirational realms, you’ll find insights, pleasures and unexpected satisfactions that will have your spring going beautifully well, long before summer even begins.