Arts & Entertainment:

Arts Council Exhibits Works By Springfield City Employees

Fri 5/9/2008 5:03 PM

For the month of June and opening First Friday, June 6th, the Springfield Regional Arts Council will be hosting at The Creamery Arts Center the National Arts Program featuring artwork created by City of Springfield employees and their families. Sponsored by the National Arts Foundation of Malvern, PA, local artists of various levels of artistic expertise and ages are participating in this first-time event. A reception will be held at the Creamery (across from Hammons Field), free to the public, on Friday, June 6, from 6pm to 9pm.

Thirty-six employees and family members associated with 10 different city departments, including Ralph Rognstad Jr. (Planning and Development Director), Jeremy Jackson (Senior Park Planner), Mark Montgomery (Graphic Designer - Public Information), David Moore (Park Ranger) and Sandy Werbitzky (Lab Analyst - Public Works).

Over 60 pieces of artwork will be exhibited at the Creamery Arts Center, ranging from works on paper to photography to 3-D pieces. Awards will be given June 6th at 8 pm for first, second, and third place winners in five classifications: Amateur, Intermediate, Professional, Youth (under 12 years), and Youth (12-18 years).

As part of the Arts Council’s ARTalks program, from 6pm to 7pm on June 6, local art therapist Rebecca Burrell, Ed.D., from Drury’s School of Education and Child Development will speak on “Living Creatively through Art – the Art of Living Well” and music therapist Elizabeth Losson, a graduate of the Drury Music Therapy program now practicing in Springfield, will also participate in this informal chat about how art can play an important healing role in the lives of those who work long hours or are in stressful positions.

Springfield is the first city and one of only two in Missouri to participate in the National Arts Program designed to provide people a free and uninhibited opportunity to bring forth their artistic talents, at any level, and to have their work displayed professionally. For more information, call Springfield Regional Arts Council, 417-862-ARTS(2787).


Global Fayre Newsletter - May 2008

Fri 5/9/2008 5:12 PM


Dear Friend of Global Fayre,

What a month May has been - already!
We just had one MANIC weekend - First Friday Art Walk, Art Fest, C-Street Market and the first Fair Trade Fayre at Christ Episcopal - all in the space of three days! There's little sign of a slow down - Mother's day is this weekend, we have some school visits scheduled this month, and there is the STAND Dinner on May 23rd.

We're hoping too that we will soon pull something together to raise funds for the people of Burma. Since the disaster struck last week, it has been heart-wrenching to see the terrible conditions there, and the general level of chaos, not helped by the intransigence of the military junta.

If you have any great ideas for how we could raise funds - or if you already have something planned that Global Fayre could support, then send us a note about it via the Contact Us page on our web site.

We plan to channel any funds we can raise to Avaaz who in turn is passing those funds to the International Burmese Monks Organization.

Recent Happenings.........
We're running out of superlatives. In the last newsletter we said that March was jam-packed for the Art-Walk, but April must have seen twice as many people come through the store on First Friday. Who knows what June will be like; it has to peak sometime, doesn't it?!

C-Street has started again for the new season, and we're pleased to be back on Commercial Street for Saturday mornings with most of the vendors that were there last year, plus some new faces too. You can check out more info on Its All Downtown Now. We will be there each Saturday from 8am to 12 noon. The Market is also open on Tuesday evenings from 4pm to 7pm.

We had a great time at the first Fair Trade Fayre at Christ Episcopal Church on Walnut Street. Our thanks to Penny Gordon-Chumbley and her team for making us feel so welcome, and for helping to make the event such a success.Timed to coincide with the Arts Fest, it drew support from the congregation and from Art Fest visitors alike. Global Fayre co-hosted with Anna Sophia's, and we're keen to come back for the next one. We'll be back at the same time next year for sure, but might even manage a second event to link up with Cider Days....watch this space!

STAND Benefit Dinner, May 23

STAND is the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition at Missouri State. They will be hosting a benefit dinner on May 23, and it promises to be a great event. The guest speaker, Dr. Hamid Eltgani, was born and raised in Darfur, and they will also have the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda! Tickets are priced $35 each or $60 for a pair, and are available from Global Fayre and Kaleidoscope

First Friday Art Walk, June 6, 6pm onwards
Returning closer to home, this month we are excited to be screening a sampling of award-winning student work featuring short narrative films, animations, music videos, and experimental video during the next First Friday Artwalk. All of these extraordinary pieces were created by Electronic Arts and Media Production students at Missouri State University over the past several years. Many have won awards in national competitions and been screened in film festivals from coast to coast and as far away as Europe and China.

This screening has been organised in conjunction with our friends in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film at Missouri State, and is the first in what we hope will be a series of collaborative work with the University.
Uplifting Humanity Thru Harmony, June 17

This is the first fund raising event for Ethiopian Child, a local charity that supports the education of deaf children in Ethopia.

June 17, 2008
7:00pm
Tickets $10, available from Global Fayre and the Gillioz

Fair Trade Recipe of the Month

Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette is an emulsion of vinegar and vegetable oil, often flavored with herbs, spices, and other ingredients. Vinaigrettes are used as sauces or as a marinade in many cuisines, and as salad dressings.The simple mixture of a good wine vinegar, good olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh green herbs in season is a brilliant start to a great vinaigrette recipe, but only the beginning.

Basic Vinaigrette (or Basic Oil and Vinegar Dressing)
Shake together or combine in bottom of salad bowl:
2 T. salad oil (Fair Trade Oil of course - see the article below about our latest Fair Trade Oil - Organic Brazil Nut Oil)
2 T. vinegar or lemon juice or combination of both
1/2 t. salt
Dash of freshly ground pepper
Dash of dry mustard

Adapted from 'More-with-Less' by Doris Janzen Longacre (a great book containing recipes and suggestions on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources. Available at Global Fayre, priced $21.00) Got a great recipe using Fair Trade ingredients? Then share it with us!

Organic Brazil Nut Oil
We now offer 5 great Fair Trade Oils, and get lots of questions about them, so thought we would give you a brief introduction to the latest member of the family - Organic Brazil Nut Oil. You can read all about the Brazil Nut Tree at www.Rain-Tree.com.

Brazil nut oil is clear yellowish oil with a pleasant, sweet smell and taste. It makes a wonderful light oil for salad dressings: try combining it with raspberry vinegar for tasty vinaigrette. In addition, Brazil nut oil is often used in soaps, shampoos, and hair conditioning/repair products in South America, and this use is beginning to catch on in the United States as well. It is a wonderful hair conditioner, bringing shine, silkiness, and softness to hair and renewing dry, lifeless hair and split ends. Brazil nut oil in skin creams helps lubricate and moisturize the skin, provides antioxidant benefits with its high selenium content, helps prevents dryness, and leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Our Brazil Nut Oil is produced by Candela Peru, a fair trade organization that works with more than 270 castaneros (Brazil nut gatherers) along the Madre de Dios River in the Peruvian Rainforest. Candela generates income for the families while managing forest resources in a responsible way. The castaneros and Candela Peru collaborate to create this quality organic product. It contains 30% Omega 6 essential fatty acid and offers high natural sources of the mineral selenium. It is certified Organic by Control Union Certifications of Peru and the ingredients are simply 100% Organic Brazil Nut Oil. Perfect for your Oil and Vinegar Dressing!

A New Arrival!
We've just taken delivery of our Putamayo listening station - so now you can check out whatever CD catches your ear. We have a stack of great titles that will transport you all around the world, from Euro Groove to Latin Reggae and from Brazilian Lounge to Italian Cafe. To get you in that groove (Euro or not!) we're making this month's coupon a sensational 'buy one, get a second one at half price'! There's a coupon at the foot of this newsletter; cut it out, bring it in and join the world party!

Cheri and David Crump
Global Fayre
www.globalfayre.com


Discovery Center Parents Night Out! June 6th

Fri 5/9/2008 3:20 PM

Parent's Night Out continues to be a fun and successful event for both parents and children at the Discovery Center. Here is another chance for our evening out on Friday June 6th.

Discovery Center of Springfield adds Parent's Night Out on Friday, June 6th from 5:00pm-10:00pm. This chaperoned event will offer exploration in the Center, games, crafts, and snacks to children ages 4 to 6th grade level, all with exploration of the Discovery Center throughout the night. This is a great opportunity for the kids to have some fun and parents to spend time downtown.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required by Wednesday, June 4th. The cost for members is $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. Registration cost for non-members is $30 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. Drop off starts at 5:00pm and the latest time for pick up is 10:00pm.

All proceeds benefit the Discovery Center. For more information contact Charlotte at 862-9910 ext. 713 or check out the Discovery Center Website at www.discoverycenter.org.

Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors and $5.00 children (3-12).

June 2008 Calendar of Events
June 6, 2008 - Parent's Night Out - Need to do some shopping or just have some time alone? Take advantage of chaperoned play for ages 4-6th grade at Discovery Center while you enjoy an evening out. Pre-payment and pre-registration required by Wednesday, June 4th . Cost is $25 for Discovery Center Members and $30 for non-members for 1st child. Additional children are $10 each. For availability information and to register, contact 417.862.9910 x706.

The week of June 10th - Discovery Center Summer Workshops begin - Kids ages 4 through middle school will learn that science is fun through hands-on activities, exploration of our exhibit halls, and field trips. We're especially excited about our new workshops for students entering grades 6-8. Classes are Tuesday - Thursday from 8:30 am - 12:00pm. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

For availability and information and to register, contact 417-862-9910 x 706.
Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors and $5.00 children (3-12).


Springfield’s Own Selected for Reality Show on ABC

Thu 5/8/2008 10:16 PM

“High School Musical: Get In The Picture”

(Springfield, Mo…May 8, 2008)…At ArtsFest performances by Springfield Little Theatre’s Y.E.S. Troupe and cast of the upcoming production of Seussical, talents scouts from ABC’s “High School Musical: Get In The Picture” announced Nikki Calloway as a semi-finalist for final auditions.

Nikki Calloway is a senior at Central High School and an active participant in Springfield Little Theatre’s Y.E.S. Troupe. Nikki got her start as Pepper in Annie, when she was in 6th grade. Other memorable roles include Joy, a step-sister in Cinderella, and Genie in Disney’s Aladdin Junior.

Nikki will be leaving for Orlando on Saturday, May 10. Her friends at Springfield Little Theatre will be sending her off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning from the Landers Theater, 311 East Walnut. Doors will open at 9:00a.m. The media is welcome to attend.

Executive producers of "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" are Jay Blumenfeld and Tony Marsh (both of "Here Come the Newlyweds"). The production company is The Jay and Tony Show. Hosts and judges will be announced at a later date. For more information about the show:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/highschoolmusical/.


Collage Series Starts Off The Summer At The Creamery

Thu 5/8/2008 5:37 PM

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will offer two collage workshops featuring “Watercolor Collage” with published, nationally-known watercolor artist, Hiroko Shikashio and “Mixed-Media Collage” with local artist and educator, Carol Chappell both at The Creamery Arts Center across from Hammons Stadium, June 5 & 6, 12 and 13.

Watercolor Collage Workshop: Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Taught by Watercolor USA National Honor Society recipient, Hiroko Shikashio, this workshop will help artists discover new and interesting ways to integrate watercolor and collage from everyday materials. Artists are invited to bring in an old painting or start anew! Shikashio is a resident of Rhode Island and her collage works are published in the book, “New Art International”. Cost is $50 per day or $80 for two-day workshop. For teen and adults, 15 and over. Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 20.

Mixed Media Collage: Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Learn to create stunning collage paintings by studying several collage techniques, including different materials and surfaces on which to work. Students can choose their own style and theme and are invited to use their own paper and/or 3D objects. Other materials will also be provided by the instructor. Instructor, Carol Chappell is a local artist and educator having taught with Springfield Public Schools and at Missouri State University. She currently works with fellow artist Joan Gentry on art furniture and floor art. Cost is $50 for both days for adults, 18 and over. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 29.

For more information or to register, please call the Arts Council at 417-862-ARTS (2787).


Vandivort: Open audition call for the role of Susannah in the musical TINTYPES

Wed 5/7/2008 2:29 PM

Monday, May 12, at 7 PM. Vandivort Center Theatre, 305 E Walnut St, 4th Floor.

Auditioning female African-American, 30-50 year old age range, with strong, uplifting alto range singing voice. This character sings “Nobody,” “Fifty-Fifty,” “Smiles,” “Bill Bailey” and “Electricity” among other songs from the 1895-1918 period.
Please prepare a short 16 measure song to sing at the audition.

This summer musical will play at the Vandivort Center Theatre July 3-19. 2008.
Gary Lyons, director; Ned Wilkinson, musical director; Gretchen Teague, choreographer.

Call the theatre office, 417-831-8001, for more information.

The growing pains of a nation will be chronicled in TINTYPES, a red, white and blue musical featuring “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Hello, Ma Baby,” “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “The Yankee Doodle Boy” and a cavalcade of music from pre-WWI America. Return to turn of the century America, when the innocent, slower-paced days of ice cream socials and hoop skirts are giving way to a bustling world of automobiles, electricity and the telephone. The story of these changing times brings tintypes to life in a tuneful, high-spirited brew of popular songs from 1895 to 1918. Our 2008 summer salute to America!


Vandivort Center Theatre On-Line News

Wed 5/7/2008 2:35 PM

Louis H. Schaeffer, Executive Producer
Gary Lyons, Production Associate/Director
VCT Directors: Robert Bradley, Richard Dines, Gretchen Teague
Guest Director: Shawn Teague

Our Lucky 13th Season Continues
5-7-08

The Box Office is open this week, Tuesday-Friday 12-5 PM, Saturday 3-5 PM, Sunday 12-2 PM and one hour prior to all evening performances.The theatre is located at 305 E. Walnut Street, 4th floor, in downtown Springfield MO. Call 417-831-8001 (out of town 888-452-0930) for tickets or more information. Tickets may be purchased over the phone, using a credit card or in person, at our box office.Volunteer ushers are needed for most performances. Call to sign up a receive complementary seating for that performance. Ushers need to report to the theatre 45 minutes before each performance.

Final weekend for ART OF MURDER

Will Jack, the eccentric painter, kill Vincent, his flamboyant art dealer? Will Annie, Jack’s reluctant wife, help her husband? Or, is something else going on?
Try to solve the mystery in ART OF MURDER, by Joe DiPietro, directed by Shawn Teague, featuring Nicole Boldt, David Logan, Dawn McClain and Clancy Parks.

ART OF MURDER, the 2000 Edgar Award Winner for Best Mystery Play, is “A scintillating hit with thrills and chills and some wonderful humor…It will have you laughing and guessing who is to be murdered and who is the murderer.” —Suburban News. “It is hilarious, suspenseful, surprising and dazzling in every way.” —Equinox News.
Performances: May 8-10 at 7:30 PM, May 11 at 2 PM
Tickets: Thursday Evenings and Sunday Matinees: $16 Adult, $14 Student/Senior. Friday and Saturday Evenings: $18 Adult,$16 Student/Senior. Group Rates Available for 12 or more. Student Rush Tickets $8 (if seats are available) 30 minutes before each performance, with I.D. All prices include 7.1% sales tax and a $1 theatre renovation fee. A $2 handling charge is added to all mail orders.

Open audition call for the role of Susannah in the musical TINTYPES

Monday, May 12, at 7 PM. Vandivort Center Theatre, 305 E Walnut St, 4th Floor.

Auditioning female African-American, 30-50 year old age range, with strong, uplifting alto range singing voice. This character sings “Nobody,” “Fifty-Fifty,” “Smiles,” “Bill Bailey” and “Electricity” among other songs from the 1895-1918 period.
Please prepare a short 16 measure song to sing at the audition.

This summer musical will play at the Vandivort Center Theatre July 3-19. 2008.
Gary Lyons, director; Ned Wilkinson, musical director; Gretchen Teague, choreographer.

Coming Attraction Tickets going ON SALE June 3

TINTYPES tickets go on sale June 3, performances are July 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 at 7:30 PM, July 6 & 13 at 2 PM: $10-$20. All seats are $15 on July 3 & 4 for this red, white and blue American musical.
(Our Box Office will be closed May 12 through June 2, 2008)


Arts Adventurers Bound for Botanical Delights

Wed 5/7/2008 1:22 PM

Springfield mosaic artist Christine Schilling will join the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s May 24th Arts Adventure to the Missouri Botanical Gardens and will give a tour of the Gardens' featured exhibit of some 40 monumental mosaic sculptures by the late Niki de Saint Phalle. Created in rainbow colors and with a variety of materials, some stand18-feet tall and others weigh over a ton. Niki de Saint Phalle, a prolific self-taught artist influenced by the Spanish artist Gaudi, was known in the ‘60s for her oversized female figures called Nanas that became a symbol of female empowerment and were referred to by many as the “heralds of a new Matriarchal Age”. (Google Images)

De Saint Phalle, the only female member of Europe's New Realist Art movement, a contemporary of American Pop Art, collaborated with Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns and first gained fame for her "shooting paintings" which she created by firing a 22-caliber rifle at cans of paint mounted onto canvases. Born in Paris, educated in New York, and a world traveler, she spent the last 20 years of her life creating a gigantic sculpture park in Tuscany called the Tarot Garden.

On the trip up to St. Louis, the group will enjoy an en-route lecture by William Bowman, an associate of the Arts Council who is familiar with the history of the Gardens and its incredible variety of flora and fauna. A dutch-treat lunch will be taken by the group in the Gardens’ Sassafras Café. After strolling the lush Botanical Gardens, exploring Buckminster Fuller’s climatron filled with exotic tropicals and desert plants, and browsing the large collection of plant specimens in the gift shop, adventurers will enjoy Champagne and chocolates followed by a dutch-treat dinner stop at Sybill's Restaurant in St. James. Coffee and muffins will be served at the Arts Council offices in the Creamery Arts Center at 6:30AM and the group will depart in a 15-passenger van promptly at 7:00AM with a 9:30PM return to the Creamery. Cost is $80/person.

Other Arts Adventures lined up and open for reservations are: June 21 – OKC Museum’s “Roman Art Of The Louvre”; July 19 – Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (Kansas City) AND the Liberty Memorial (Overland Park); Aug. 16 – Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa; Sept. 27 – Sprint Center and Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City; Oct. 25 – Gilcrease Museum of Art, Tulsa.

Call the Arts Council for reservations to the May 24 adventure or to any others, 417-862-ARTS(2787). For further details, go to www.SpringfieldArts.org


Jessica Bebout of Clever High Wins Blunt’s 2008 Congressional Art Competition

Fri 5/2/2008 8:40 PM

Springfield, Missouri – Jessica Bebout of Clever High School in Christian County took top honors in the 12th Annual Seventh Congressional District High School Art Competition held at the Springfield Arts Council Creamery Center tonight—a contest sponsored by Congressman Roy Blunt. Bebout’s self portrait in computer generated photos was judged the best of a dozen works submitted. Art faculty members from seven Southwest Missouri colleges and universities lent their expertise in scoring the paintings.

Bebout’s winning entry will hang in the U.S. Capitol complex starting in July, and remaining there for the entire year. The piece will take the place of the 2007 winner submitted by Derek Kelly of Springfield Central High School.

"Without fail, the challenge of picking a winning painting from the many exceptional works of art submitted by students from Southwest Missouri gets more and more difficult,” said Congressman Blunt, who quickly added that he himself was not a judge. “These gifted students were guided by the skills and inspiration of Southwest Missouri’s best art instructors. I’m impressed by the level of artistic achievement our Southwest Missouri high school students produce,” Blunt said during award ceremonies.

Blunt made special note of Monett art teacher John Bremer in his remarks, who is retiring after 41 years in the classroom--the last 27 years at Monett. His student, Amy Hall, won one of the two honorable mentions in the competition. Clever High School art teacher, Mark Schmidt, a mentor of Bebout, was a student under Bremer at Monett. Hall, who is also Monett High School’s valedictorian this year, submitted an untitled acrylic that will be on display in Congressman Blunt’s Constituent Services Office in Joplin’s NorthPark Mall for the next year.

Judges awarded an honorable mention to Springfield Glendale High School senior Kyla Byers. Her collage will be displayed in Congressman Blunt’s Springfield Constituent Service Center on East Sunshine Street over the next 12 months, replacing the Glendale High School magazine collage that also won honors last year. It is the fourth year for Glendale High School to win one of the three prizes. It is the first top prize for Clever High School in the 7th Congressional District High School Art Show.


Springfield Symphony's final concert for the season

Fri 5/2/2008 5:07 PM

Tickets are going fast for the Springfield Symphony’s final concert for the year – “Route 66: A Trip Down Memory Road.” Join us as we take you on a rollicking musical journey through time and across this great land.

Highlights will include:  
● Springfield Little Theatre’s The Taffeta’s singing “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)”
● The Sho-Me Statesmen singing “In My Merry Oldsmobile”
● A hip-swinging Elvis medley swung and sung by the King “himself”!
● Excerpts from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma”
● The nostalgic and poignant “Shenandoah – The Wide Missouri”
● The world premiere of a specially commission DVD chronicling the “Mother Road” throughout Springfield over the years projected above the Orchestra as it plays
● And of course the Bobby Troup classic “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” with a sing-along

So don’t miss this opportunity to get your kicks with the Springfield Symphony as we take you on an unforgettable trip down memory road – it promises to be fun for the whole family!

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Springfield Symphony’s Final Pops Concert of the Season…
“Route 66: A Trip Down Memory Road”

For Single tickets - please contact Hammons Hall Box Office at
(417) 836-7678
1-888-476-7849
www.missouristatetix.com
Ticket prices range from $8.00 to $31.00
(Including Senior and Student Discounts)
Juanita K. Hammons Hall
7:30pm – Performance

Contact: Ron Spigelman, Music Director, Springfield Symphony (417) 299-4232
Lisa Spigelman, Marketing Manager, Springfield Symphony (417) 864-6683

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and is an EOE. Additional funding for all Springfield Symphony Orchestra programs and projects is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.


Artsfest 2008 Presented by CoxHealth and the Springfield Regional Arts Council

Wed 4/30/2008 6:51 PM

“Art Goes Green

The 28th annual Artsfest Fine Arts Festival, a celebration of visual and performing arts, will be held May 3 & 4, 2008 on Historic Walnut Street. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 3; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Artsfest will be held on Historic Walnut Street, from National Avenue to west of John Q. Hammons Parkway.

More than 140 artists, from across the country, will participate in this year’s festival. Hector Salgado, Artsfest’s second international artist, also will be featured at this year’s fine arts festival showcasing his world-renowned jewelry. Artsfest artists’ mediums include clay, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography and printmaking. Artsfest also will feature five performance stages throughout the festival grounds.

In conjunction with this year’s theme “Art Goes Green”, Artsfest is partnering with the James River Basin Partnership to promote Rain Barrel Reveal 2008; a project promoting a good way to utilize rainwater, conserve water, and avoid excess pollutants picked up from yards and streets. A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams. A number of rain barrels, designed by local and regional artists, will be on display to the public during this year’s festival. The professionally designed rain barrels will be located at the various event entrances, as well as in the Art Garden area of the festival.

Things to Look For in 2008:

Art Gardens
Don’t miss the Artsfest Art Gardens that are a new addition to this year’s festival. Located south of Walnut Street on John Q. Hammons Parkway, this area will feature a number of the rain barrels designed by local and regional artists, as well as art gardens created by local and regional art students and organizations using recycled materials.

Art-Town Downtown
Art-Town Downtown is back offering a number of hands-on activities for kids. Located on Walnut Street, just west of John Q. Hammons Parkway, this area will feature several projects including “Chalk it Up”, foam fun children’s hats, painting rain barrels, musical instrument creations and more.

Win $500 by Voting for Your Favorite Artist – Saturday, May 3
On Saturday, festival attendees can vote for their favorite Artsfest artist. Participants will have a chance to win $500 in Artsfest Art Bucks to be used at Sunday’s festival.

“An Evening at Artsfest” With the Springfield Symphony Under the Stars – Saturday, May 3
On Saturday evening, enjoy a live performance by the Springfield Symphony in Jordan Valley Park. This FREE event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Advance $3 Artsfest discount tickets are available at all area McDonald’s Restaurants now through Friday, May 2, 2008. Gate admission is $5 for adults; children 10 and under are free.

Artsfest 2008 sponsors include: CoxHealth, Hoover Music Company, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, McDonald’s Restaurants, Ozarks Coca-Cola/ Dr Pepper Bottling Co., Brewer Science, Reliable Toyota, Historic Walnut Street Association, Walnut Capital Management, 95.5 Alice, 100.5 The Wolf, 105.9 KGBX, Springfield News-Leader, OzarksMoms.com, Ozarks Signature, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, The Coffee Ethic, American Family Insurance, Merrill Lynch, The Center for Plastic Surgery, Liberty Bank, Ebbet's Field, Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law, LLC, Boyd Aluminum, Cliff Cottage Inn – Eureka Springs, Candy House Gourmet Chocolates, Wickman’s Garden Village, Vino 100, Springfield Cardinals, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, UniFirst, City of Springfield, Springfield Greene-County Parks & Recreation.

In conjunction with Artsfest, the Springfield Sister Cities Association and American Family Insurance present ArtsFiesta!, a Cinco de Mayo celebration of Mexican art, culture and music with an authentic Mariachi band from Springfield’s sister city, Tlaquepaque, Mexico. ArtsFiesta! will be held Friday, May 2, 2008 from 6 to 10 p.m., in Founders Park in Downtown Springfield. Gate admission is $3; children 10 and under free.

For complete Artsfest information, download the pdf at www.SpringfieldArts.org


Evangel Professor to lead Writers Workshop discussion

Thu 5/1/2008 2:38 PM

Springfield Regional Arts Council will feature Marilyn Quigley as the presenter at its May 8 Creamery Writers’ Workshop, 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Creamery Arts Center. For more than 20 years, Quigley has served as director of Freshman Composition at Evangel University where she teaches all levels of writing from basic grammar to advanced exposition including creative writing in which she emphasizes fiction, poetry and drama. Her topic will be “Sentence Style: Writing By Choice, Not Chance”.

Quigley has published short stories, a children’s musical based on the Biblical story of Joseph, and poetry and has written two novels yet unpublished. She also published a book entitled, “Hell Frozen Over” detailing the experiences of 12 soldiers in the Battle of the Bulge. Her uncle, who spent time as a prisoner in Germany, is the focus of the book.

The Creamery Writers’ Workshop is free and open to all writers regardless of age or level of expertise. For more information, call the Arts Council, 417-862-ARTS(2787).


CALL FOR MURALISTS - Deadline May 15 - From Missouri Arts Council - Fabulous Opportunity!!!

Wed 4/30/2008 5:43 PM

Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking artists or artist teams to create murals for one of two Welcome Centers. Located in the lobby/entranceway, the artwork should inspire visitors to explore the local/regional cultural, historic, and/or scenic points of interests.

Budget: The project budget is $30,000 per location and includes all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: artist's design fee, travel, materials, fabrication costs, documentation, transportation, and installation.

Eligibility: The project is open to all professional artists and artist teams residing in the U.S. and that have at least five years of public art experience or can demonstrate ability to successfully complete a project of this type and scale. Preference will be given to artists residing in Missouri. Applicants must be able to work effectively within the project timeline and budget and collaborate with the multiple government agencies.

Deadline: Submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on May 15, 2008.

For more information, review the Request for Qualifications.


ArtsFiesta! May 2, 2008

Wed 4/30/2008 3:35 PM

Springfield, MO – The Springfield Sister Cities Association will present ArtsFiesta! Cinco de Mayo celebration from 6 – 10 p.m., Friday, May 2, in Springfield’s Founders Park, 330 E. Water Street, located one block north of Park Central Square. Public parking is available adjacent to the park, at the corners of Olive Street and Boonville Avenue.

The evening schedule is as follows:
6:00 p.m.
Gates open; recorded mariachi music
6:10 – 6:20 p.m.
Performance by Central High School Azúcar Latin dance group, and salsa lessons for the crowd.
6:20 – 6:30 p.m.
Grupo LatinoAmericano dancers - “Cerro La Silla.”
6:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America”.
7:30 – 7:35 p.m.
Grupo LatinoAmericano dancers – “El Vuelo y La Paloma.”
7:35 – 8:05 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America”
8:05 - 8:10 p.m.
Grupo LatinoAmericano dancers – “El Sauce y La Palma.”
8:10 - 8:45 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America”
9:00 – 9:10 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America” with Grupo LatinoAmericano dancers – “Las Alazanas” and “La Negra”
9:10 – 9:15 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America” with Eric Morelo.
9:15 – 9:20 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America” with Grupo LatinoAmericano dancers – “Jarabe Tapatio”
9:20 - 10:00 p.m.
Mariachi “Sol de America,” finale with Mayor Hernan Cortes.
10:00 p.m.
Conclusion.

This event includes music; art; children’s activities; a performance from an authentic mariachi band from Springfield’s sister city of Tlaquepaque, Mexico; traditional dancers from Grupo Latinoamericano; Central High School Azúcar Latin dance group; Mexican food from La Hacienda Restaurant; and a visit from a delegation of elected officials and business people of Tlaquepaque, including Mayor José Hernan Cortés Berumen.

ArtsFiesta! admission is $3; children 10 and under are free.

Sponsors include: presenting sponsor American Family Insurance as well as Kraft Foods, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Webster University, Murney Realtor Debbie Morrow, Alice @ 95.5, La M Grande 97.7, KSFX Ozarks Fox, KOLR 10, Springfield Regional Arts Council, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, City of Springfield, and the Urban Districts Alliance.


Fair Trade Fayre at Christ Episcopal Church during Artsfest

Tue 4/29/2008 3:12 PM

Downtown Springfield’s Christ Episcopal Church will host a Fair Trade Fayre Sunday, May 4, during Artsfest.

Springfield merchants Anna Sophia's and Global Fayre will offer beautiful and affordable fair trade merchandise from economically disadvantaged producers in Asia, Africa and South America. Purchases help farmers and artisans maintain steady work and a sustainable income so they can provide for their families.

A portion of proceeds from the Fair Trade Fayre will benefit Christ Episcopal Church’s Outreach Committee, which provides support to local and international projects and agencies. Anna Sophia’s and Global Fayre, along with volunteers from Drury University, will also coordinate a free children’s poster painting contest during the event.

The Fair Trade Fayre is Sunday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside Christ Episcopal Church, 601 E. Walnut St., Springfield, rain or shine. Parking for this event and Artsfest is available in the church parking lots.


Well Fed Head Books, Potatoes and You

Mon 4/28/2008 9:01 PM

Man has only a thin layer of soil between himself and starvation.
- Attributed to Bard of Cincinnati (Unverified).

C O N T E N T S

1) The Strange But True Tale of the Potato Leaf Vote
2) Dallas Jones and Venus vs. Mars Poetry Slam - Friday, May 2nd
3) The Dagger Key - Author Signing, Saturday - May 3rd

1. The Strange But True Tale of the Potato Leaf Vote
We are so looking forward to telling you about the fun things that are - literally - in store for you at Well Fed Head Books over the next few weeks. But first, we have a confession to make: just about every Spring we send out an email newsletter about gardening. Well this year, horror of horrors, Beth and I have taken a very relaxed approach. With "relaxed" being a euphemism for "not even so much as putting a potato in the ground, a seed under a fluorescent light or turning over a spadeful of dirt." Typically, Beth and I begin thinking about green things in January around the time we receive our Baker Creek Heirloom Seed catalog ( http://rareseeds.com/ ). We love their seeds and enjoy hearing their thoughts on the politics of food. Anyway, our lackadaisical approach to gardening changed at 10:39 PM last Thursday.

On a whim, we pulled out last year's partially-used seed packets and realized we had a supermarket in a box. There was lettuce and cauliflower and broccoli and melons and cucumbers and tomatoes -- and basil, rosemary, corn, radicchio, radishes and on and on. There were even beets in there! You know, until a few years ago, I wouldn't give a beet the time of day. Beets reminded me of a pre-sliced, de-flavorized Thanksgiving side dish that is simply wrong, wrong, wrong. I'll I have to say now is that you might not want to insult a beet in my presence. Fresh beets, grated up with a few herbs and pan-fried are absolutely delightful. As a matter of fact, I remember feeling particularly depressed when our fresh beet supply ran out. Seriously. Ask Beth if you don't believe me.

But back to the garden. So with rake, fork and shovel in hand, I went out to our small planting patch and was astounded to see a long row of volunteer potatoes growing quite nicely. Either we have a resident population of garden gnomes who decided to go ahead and get us started this year, or I missed more than a few last year when digging them up. We'll see how they do growing in the same spot two years in a row, but still, I find seeing potato leaves in the spring to be a special gardening moment.

Please, don't walk away from this thinking that I'm going to start telling you about our root cellar or some such tale. First of all, I don't have a root cellar. And second, potatoes don't have leaves because they grow underground. Right? At least that's what a chef friend of Barbara Kingsolver said in the book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Living Locally. This book - just released in paperback - is one of our June Book club picks. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a chronicle of one family's decision to, wherever possible, use produce and meats either grown by their own hands or purchased from farmers within their county. Kingsolver mentions her friend's comment about potato leaves to illustrate a point, namely, that many Americans have lost connection with where their food comes from (besides the grocery store), when it is truly in season and even what it looks like. Is that true? Well lets find out.

I've decided that we are going to test Barbara Kingsolver's theory. I am asking you, dear Well Fed Head Newsletter reader, to place a vote on whether you can identify the potato leaf. This vote will involve you visiting a page on the Well Fed Head web site and then sending me an email with your selection of which leaf is a potato leaf. And there is one other piece of information I would like -- please tell me the decade you were born in. NOW DON'T GO AND GOOGLE POTATO LEAF FIRST. I'm working on the honor system, people. Here's what you should do right now:

A - Visit http://wellfedhead.com/detail.php?id=173
B - Click the plant you believe is a potato from the three available.
C - Send your email vote to us.

We will let you know how it all shakes out. Now get over there and
vote and then come back and read on...

2) Dallas Jones and Venus vs. Mars Poetry Slam, Friday, May 2nd From 7:00 to 9:00 PM on Friday you can catch some great music by Dallas Jones (http://dallasjones.mayapplerecords.com/ ). We love having Dallas (and Friends) at the Well Fed Head. I believe Ms. Molly Healey will be sitting in on this set so swing on by if you're in the neighborhood. This Friday in downtown should not be missed.

And then after Dallas gets done we'll kick off our summer slam season at 9:00 PM with a Venus vs. Mars Poetry Slam. This slam will be a man vs. woman, poet-to-poet matchup with two names randomly drawn from a hat. The winning man or woman wins a trophy and bragging rights. May the best man win.

3) The Dagger Key Author Signing with Daniel Ferguson
Please join us Saturday, May 3rd at 2:00 PM for an author reading/signing by local writer and artist Daniel Ferguson. Daniel's recently published book, The Dagger Key, is a wonderful adventure fantasy book that he has been working on for many years. An MFA graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, this is Daniel's first novel and we are pleased to welcome him to the Well Fed Head.

Michael Sowers & Beth Buczynski
Well Fed Head Books, LLC
info@wellfedhead.com
www.wellfedhead.com


Symphony Performs at Evening at Artsfest

Thu 4/24/2008 3:22 PM

The Springfield Symphony will give its regards to Broadway with a free public performance at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May, 3, at Jordan Valley Park, 735 E. Trafficway, to celebrate the annual Artsfest weekend of activities.

The Symphony will perform popular Broadway selections from artists like Cole Porter and Rogers and Hammerstein in a production featuring singers from Springfield Little Theatre. This is the first Broadway-themed performance and the third year the Symphony has performed the free concert at Jordan Valley Park for "An Evening at Artsfest."

The sponsors for this year's program include the Springfield Regional Arts Council, the Missouri Arts Council, Ozarks Public Broadcasting, the Springfield Cardinals, and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

The public is invited to come early and bring picnics or purchase refreshments on site. Blankets and short lawn chairs are encouraged. No glass bottles or alcoholic beverages are permitted at Jordan Valley Park, which is also a non-smoking venue.

 
Photo courtesy of Preston Dial Studio

This event and the annual Firefall Concert in the Sky are the Symphony's largest free public performances for the Springfield community.

Artsfest weekend has grown over the past several years from the activities on Walnut Street to a larger celebration of visual, performing, interactive and cultural arts in downtown Springfield. The weekend kicks off with ArtsFiesta! and the First Friday Artwalk from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, May, 2. It continues with two days of the Artsfest on Walnut Street activities on May 3-4, including the free Symphony performance at Jordan Valley Park on Saturday evening.

The rain date for the Symphony concert is 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 4, at Jordan Valley Park.

For more information on any Artsfest activities, call (417) 862-2787 or visit: www.springfieldarts.org. Discount Artsfest tickets are available through May 2 at area McDonald's.


Area artists invited to Artsfest Paint Out!

Thu 4/24/2008 2:36 PM

A fun feature to this year’s Artsfest event will be a Paint Out! On Saturday, May 3, from 10:30am to 3:00pm and artists may choose any area of the festival on historic Walnut Street as their outdoor “studio”. A $15 registration fee includes free admission to Artsfest and lunch on the Artworx Studio Porch located at 938 E. Walnut Street.

Artists are required to pre-register with the Springfield Regional Arts Council, either by returning the registration form with check, to Council offices in the Creamery Arts Center, or they may register on May 3 at the Arts Council’s booth located at the northeast corner of Walnut Street and JQH Parkway by 10:30AM. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three places for artwork produced on site. Artists from all levels of experience are welcome to participate.

All participants are required to check in Saturday at 10:30AM at the Arts Council booth. Once checked in, artists will be free to spread out throughout the festival grounds to complete a painting or drawing of Historic Walnut Street. At 3:00pm, all registered Artsfest Paint Out! Artists will gather on the back porch of the Artworx Studio for the judging portion of the event.

Artists are required to provide all supplies needed to complete their painting or drawing, including easels, if needed. A boxed lunch will be served on the Artworks Studio back porch beginning at noon for all registered “Paint Out!” artists.

The $15 registration fee is payable by check to Springfield Regional Arts Council or you can call the Council, 417-862-ARTS with your visa or mastercard – a $2 handling fee will be added for credit card registrations.

Artsfest, a program of the Arts Council, is managed by the Urban Districts Alliance and anyone wishing to volunteer may contact UDA’s Sharyn Wagoner, 417-827-3657. A volunteer form (pdf) can be downloaded here which can then be faxed to Sharyn at 417-831-6217.


Art Walk - Springfield rolls out all the easels!

Thu 4/24/2008 2:13 PM

Go to www.ffaw.org and click on the link inside for May Newsletter and you’ll see all the neat things happening for May 2 Art Walk in downtown Springfield. The Creamery has a huge list of things for Friday May 2nd including U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt’s reception from 5 to 6pm for the U.S. Congressional Competition for High School Artists which will be held in the Creamery Arts Center Board Room. Come out and support these young artists!

And don’t forget….April 27th is Arf-Fest on Commercial St. at Jefferson with dog parades and a guaranteed doggone good time! May 3 & 4 is Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street with more artists than we’ve ever had! GO, ARTS!

We are truly turning Springfield into Art Town USA! For more information, call the Arts Council, 862-2787.


Classic Brass performs at Evangel University

Thu 4/24/2008 1:05 PM

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Music Department presents Classic Brass in concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 25, in the Barnett Fine Arts Recital Hall.

There is no charge for admission, and the public is invited to attend.

The program will feature classical music by Bach, Praetorius and Maurer as well as modern classical compositions such as Animal Ditties by Anthony Plog.

Classic Brass, founded in 1995, is a quintet comprised of these professional musicians:

Tim Wootton, on trumpet, is an adjunct faculty member at Evangel University where he teaches beginning brass and directs the trumpet studio and brass ensemble. He is a prizewinner of regional and international solo competitions, having performed in the U.S. and Thailand.

Jeff Nall, also on trumpet, is the founding member of Classic Brass and has performed in Branson with a number of shows including Mannheim Steamroller, Bobby Vinton and Shoji Tabuchi. He was also the national anthem soloist at the 2006 inaugural St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.

Darrel Barnes, on horn, spent most of his musical career as a violinist and is a former member of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in Branson. He has also performed around the globe and recorded two works on the Vox label. He is adjunct professor of violin and viola and instructor of horn at Drury University.

Bob Swanson, on trombone, is a member of several local groups and is a published arranger. He has played for numerous musicals at Landers Theatre and performed at Disney World, on Alaskan and Caribbean cruise ships and as a member of the Bobby Vinton/Glenn Miller Orchestra in Branson.

Kelly O’Bryant, on tuba, has held the position of principal tuba player for the U.S. Naval Academy Band and currently holds that position in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared at numerous music conferences as performer, adjudicator and clinician. In addition to appearing as guest artist at more than 30 universities, he has also performed in Europe and Russia.

For additional information, visit www.SpringfieldClassicBrass.com.


Brian Koschak at The Art Station

Wed 4/23/2008 9:01 AM

The Art Station proudly presents:

"Creative thinking, be open to whatever comes your way, listen to what your life is trying to tell you, collaborate,
share what you know, be flexible, then just do it."

This exciting exhibit features images from the attitude you just read. We bring the audacious, out of the box, original cartoon drawings of Brian Koschak for your entertainment and study. Brian's cartoons are far out!

They be cool, as one observer said under her breath. Even Koschak admits the drawings don't look like anybody else's and do not have a reference to previous cartoon god's style. Of course visual influences are there but where he comes up with the diagonal twist or sharp, angled, bold pointed line is beyond our mental mold. Brian makes women look...well let's just say we shouldn't say right here. And men get exaggerated to fit a theme from bad boy to not so handsome hero.

The gallery will hang Koschak's drawings in a free form style because he illustrates that way on any piece or kind of paper that works or is just handy at the moment of his stream of consciousness. Please join all of us for this show, have some refreshment, and feel free to step on the floor cartoons.

opening: First Friday Artwalk, MAY 2, 6pm-10pm. (continuous through May. M-F 10am-5.30pm)
sponsor: Pickwick Underground Framing, 863-9770
host: The Art Station, Josh Mitchell Gallery, 1427 E. Cherry St. (pickwick) 860-2121


Meet The Cast of The Area Premier of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom!

Tue 4/22/2008 4:09 PM

(Springfield, Missouri…April 22, 2008) Springfield Little Theatre is proud to present from the creator of RENT!, The Area Premier of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom!, May 2-18,at the historic Landers Theater, 311 East Walnut, Springfield, Missouri.

Under the direction of Chuck Rogers, vocal direction of Leah Hamilton Jenkins and the musical direction of Aaron Smith, the cast is comprised of the dynamic triple combination of Ryan Thomas King, David DePriest and Ashley Rose Smith.

Meet the cast

RYAN THOMAS KING as JON
Ryan Thomas King is originally from Oologah, Oklahoma. He has a Musical Theatre degree from Northern Oklahoma College and attended Missouri State for Theatre Direction. Ryan has been seen at Springfield Little Theatre in The Full Monty as Malcolm and as Judas in Godspell; at the Vandivort Center Theatre in Urinetown as Bobby Strong and in Over The River… as Nick. He has also been seen at the Skinny Improv’s: Mainstage Utility, Snowball Effect and Tour Company.
DAVID DEPRIEST as MIKE
David DePriest lives in Marshfield with his wife Sandee and sons, Eli and Brenden. He studied at SMSU on vocal music for 3+ years before dropping out his senior year to go to Radiology school and get a job where you actually “make money.” Fast forward 23 years, he’s the Radiology Night Supervisor at Cox North. David has performed in numerous productions at Springfield Little Theatre and Vandivort Center Theatre. He has also played an integral part in the newly formed Marshfield Performing Arts Society, both as an Actor and Director. In his spare time, David sings lead in the Springfield cover band “The Revenge”.
ASHLEY ROSE SMITH as SUSAN
Ashley Rose Smith is a freshman at Drury majoring in Finance and Business. She was last seen in Beauty and The Beast at SLT, Sweet Charity at Drury and Godspell at Glendale High School. Ashley was a member of SLT’s Y.E.S. Troupe through out her high school career. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys caving and is an avid spelunker.

Tick, Tick…Boom! is Larson’s autobiographical tale of a young composer about to turn 30 and falling into oblivion. His girlfriend wants to get married, (TICK), his best friend is making big bucks (TICK) yet Jon is still waiting tables and trying to write the great American musical. The show takes you on the playwright/composer’s journey that led to the Broadway blockbuster, RENT. This youthful, endearing and thoughtful piece which embraces the universal ideal of holding onto your dreams through life’s most difficult challenges. Tick, Tick…Boom! is not appropriate for children under 13.

Tick, Tick…Boom! is underwritten by Mercy Health Plans, 417 Magazine, Q102.1and the Missouri Arts Council.

For tickets call 869-1334 x4 or online at www.springfieldlittltheatre.org
The box office is open Monday through Friday from 11am-5pm.

Ticket prices are as follows: Individual tickets are: Adults Tickets: $25, Seniors and Students $22, Children 14 and under: $15.

CONTACT: Rachel Peacock-Young, Director of Marketing
Phone: 417-869-3869, ext. 16
Email: rachely@springfieldlittletheatre.org


Vandivort Center Theatre On-Line News

Tue 4/22/2008 3:36 PM

Louis H. Schaeffer, Executive Producer
Gary Lyons, Production Associate/Director
VCT Directors: Robert Bradley, Richard Dines, Gretchen Teague
Guest Director: Shawn Teague

The Box Office is open this week, Tuesday-Friday 12-5 PM. The theatre is located at 305 E. Walnut Street, 4th floor, in downtown Springfield MO. Call 417-831-8001 (out of town 888-452-0930) for tickets or more information. Tickets may be purchased over the phone, using a credit card or in person, at our box office.Volunteer ushers are needed for most performances. Call to sign up a receive complementary seating for that performance. Ushers need to report to the theatre 45 minutes before each performance.

Tickets are now on sale for ART OF MURDER

Will Jack, the eccentric painter, kill Vincent, his flamboyant art dealer?
Will Annie, Jack’s reluctant wife, help her husband?
Or, is something else going on?

Try to solve the mystery in ART OF MURDER, by Joe DiPietro, directed by Shawn Teague, featuring Nicole Boldt, David Logan, Dawn McClain and Clancy Parks.

ART OF MURDER, the 2000 Edgar Award Winner for Best Mystery Play, is “A scintillating hit with thrills and chills and some wonderful humor…It will have you laughing and guessing who is to be murdered and who is the murderer.” —Suburban News. “It is hilarious, suspenseful, surprising and dazzling in every way.” —Equinox News.

Performances: May 1-3, 8-10 at 7:30 PM, May 4 & 11 at 2 PM
Tickets: PREVIEW May 1: all seats $10, Friday and Saturday Evenings: $18 Adult,$16 Student/Senior. Thursday Evenings and Sunday Matinees: $16 Adult, $14 Student/Senior. Group Rates Available for 12 or more. Student Rush Tickets $8 (if seats are available) 30 minutes before each performance, with I.D. Tickets go on sale April 15, 2008. All prices include 7.1% sales tax and a $1 theatre renovation fee. A $2 handling charge is added to all mail orders.

Plan to attend the Friday night, May 2 opening of ART OF MURDER and stay for lobby reception, following the performance. Meet the cast and production staff and enjoy light refreshments.

Special discount for Artsfest On Walnut Street attendees: wear your street admission badge, to the theatre, May 3 and 4, and receive a $3 discount on ART OF MURDER tickets. Vandivort Center Theatre is an organizational member of Springfield Regional Arts Council, the organization that sponsors the annual Artsfest On Walnut Street event.


Theatre suggestion for this weekend

Katie Schirmer, our theatre management intern last semester, is producing a play as part of her final degree requirements at Drury University.

STOP KISS, a provocative and compelling play by Diana Son, will be performed April 25-26 at 8:00 PM in the Creamery Art Center’s board room. Stop Kiss is the poignant story of two women who meet and discover a deeper relationship than either had expected. As their friendship grows and sexual tensions start to rise, both women are uncertain about making the first move. On the night tension turns to action, the women become victims of a brutal hate crime, leaving them asking the age-old question: Is love worth overcoming hate? An unusual timeline that combines past and future events enhances Diana Son's witty, emotionally charged, and painfully bittersweet script.

For more information:515-321-6016.

Coming Attraction Tickets going ON SALE June 3

TINTYPES tickets go on sale June 3, performances are July 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 at 7:30 PM, July 6 & 13 at 2 PM: $10-$20. All seats are $15 on July 3 & 4 for this red, white and blue American musical.
2008-2009 Season Tickets and Flex Passes go on June 3.
(Our Box Office will be closed May 12 through June 2, 2008)


City Employees Invited to Show Artwork at Creamery

Mon 4/21/2008 3:01 PM

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will join forces with the National Arts Program to provide an accessible outlet for all City of Springfield employees and families to express artistic talents. Participation in this program is open to all artists at any level and any age. The show will open at the Creamery Arts Center with a reception and Awards Ceremony on June 6 and will remain until June 30. Deadline to register is May 12.

Artists can enter artwork from five medium categories: painting (oils, acrylic), works on paper (pencil, ink, watercolor, marker, pastel, crayon, charcoal), photography (black-and-white, color), sculpture, and craft (pottery, jewelry, wood carving, mixed media, weaving, etc.).

The exhibit will be juried and artists will be given a chance to win several awards. A Best of Show award will be given for the top piece overall and three cash awards will be given for each artistic level: amateur, intermediate, professional, youth (12 and under), and youth (12-18 years).

For more information about this exhibit or to receive a registration brochure, call the Springfield Regional Arts Council at (417) 862-ARTS (2787). For more information about the National Arts Program visit www.nationalartsprogram.org


Discovery Center celebrates DNA Day Friday, April 25th with a Sneak Peak of 22 new exhibits

Sun 4/20/2008 2:56 PM

Discovery Center of Springfield celebrates DNA Day 2008, Friday, April 25th. The anniversary of the discovery of DNA's structure is celebrated by opening the Cruse Charitable Trust ChromoZone Gallery. This gallery has hands on exhibits for all ages including a lab for visitors and 22 new exhibits.

Plan to give blood that day from 12:00-6:00pm. Community Blood Center Blood Mobile will be parked in the Discovery Center parking lot.

The new Cruse Charitable Trust ChromoZone Gallery includes the ChromoZone Lab where you can check out a microscopic view of you.

Visitors can try their hand at real science while doing the first steps that any research lab in the world uses to study DNA. Learn how to use a microscope as you observe paramecia. Study your own cells at the cheek cell staining station. Check out the next station and look at some of your own DNA.

Get a sneak peak of a new collection of 22 permanent exhibits developed by the Exploratorium and underwritten by an Anonymous donor. These exhibits will help visitors of all ages understand the characteristics of all living things; life needs energy, life uses common materials, life makes new life, and life changes over time. Visitors can explore these traits of life by watching glow-in-the dark worms, looking inside a termite's gut, watching the beating heart of a chicken embryo, and observing beetles completing the circle of life.

General admission to the center applies. Admission hours are 9:00am-8:00pm. DNA hands-on activities available from 9:00 am - 4:00pm. For more information check the website at www.discoverycenter.org or call 862-9910 x 706.

Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors and $5.00 children (3-12).


Poets Host Picnic in the Park

Fri 4/18/2008 3:47 PM

Poetry in the Park, annual potluck picnic featuring live music by Terry Armes and poetry readings by local poets, will be Sun., April 27, 1-6 p.m., in the Northwoods Pavilion at Lake Springfield. The non-alcoholic family event celebrating National Poetry Month (April) is hosted by Poets & Friends chapter of co-sponsor Missouri State Poetry Society.

The outdoor festival features an open mic. Poets of all ages and genres, ranging from student slammers performing poetry to veteran song writers singing their lyrics, are invited to participate, as are all ages and categories of poets in between.

Presenting poetry is not necessary. Those who like to listen are welcome. The event is free. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket, beverages, and an entree, side dish or or dessert for eight people. Reservations are not required. Come for the afternoon or just for an hour.

For details and directions, contact David Thomas, dthoma03@yahoo.com, 417-883-3884. For information about Poets & Friends membership and meetings, call Bob Franklin, president, at 417-725-5016.


Arts Council's Upcoming Free Art Day Goes Green!

Fri 4/18/2008 1:06 PM

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will offer its next Free Art Day, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. - noon at The Creamery Arts Center.

In celebration of the Arts Council's upcoming festival, Artsfest and its theme "Art Goes Green", all activities will be based around recycled materials. Bring your entire family to make puzzle-piece jewelry, Cinco De Mayo noisemakers, Origami Koi fish and bubble-wands.

New this month is a storytelling station with story times every thirty minutes starting at 10 a.m. until noon.

The event is free and open to the public, no registration required. For more information on Free Art Day as well as other Arts Council programming, call 417-862-ARTS(2787) or visit www.SpringfieldArts.org.


Rep. Dixon’s Fine Arts Education Initiative Passes House

Thu 4/17/2008 12:17 PM

Jefferson City, MO — Yesterday, the Missouri House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution 26, sponsored by Rep. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield). The concurrent resolution outlines the importance and benefits of fine arts education in public schools, and urges action by the executive branch to seek additional funding.

HCR 26 was a student-driven initiative done in collaboration with the Logan-Rogersville High School. With plans to have future classes build on their work, the Logan-Rogersville students selected a resolution as the appropriate first step. During eight meetings, over the course of sixteen weeks, the students conducted research and worked with Rep. Dixon to draft the language of HCR 26.

“From my perspective, this initiative was also about providing an educational experience for the students involved,” pointed out Rep. Dixon. “Those who participated are living examples of the effect fine arts education has on their development. As we prepare legislation for next year, these students will be involved in the process, serving as their own best advocates.”

HCR 26 received the support of numerous organizations: Missouri Citizens for the Arts; Missouri National Education Association; Gifted Association of Missouri; Missouri Music Educators Association; Missouri Fine Arts Academy; and Springfield Regional Arts Council.

Before consideration by the full House, HCR 26 received the unanimous approval of the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education. Several of the Logan-Rogersville High School students who had helped drafted the resolution traveled to Jefferson City to testify about the project. The resolution now awaits final adoption by the Senate.


Local Director To Discuss Playwriting at Creamery

Wed 4/16/2008 10:47 AM

Jon Herbert, faculty member of Ozarks Technical College’s new Fine Arts department, will speak on playwriting at this Thursday’s meeting of the Creamery Writers’ Workshop, 7 to 8:30pm, in the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway.

Herbert, who most recently directed OTC’s first theater production, “Picasso At The Lapin Agile”, will discuss writing playwriting and share about the various challenges the writer may encounter writing for the stage versus writing for the reader. He will discuss writing techniques for dialogue, how to keep the play moving, and will touch on various other aspects of scriptwriting.

The Creamery Writers’ Workshop, sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council, is free and open to all writers, regardless of age or level of expertise. For more information, contact the Arts Council, 417-862-ARTS(2787).


ArtFiesta!

Wed 4/16/2008 9:50 AM

Springfield, MO - May 2, 2008 – Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching and Springfield Sister Cities Association is finalizing plans for ArtsFiesta! The event runs from 6 – 10 p.m., Friday, May 2, in Springfield’s downtown Founders Park, 330 E. Water St. The evening includes music, art, children’s activities, a performance from an authentic mariachi band, and Mexican food from La Hacienda Restaurant.

Presented by Springfield Sister Cities Association, ArtsFiesta! is a Cinco de Mayo celebration of Mexican art, culture and music. Mariachi group Sol De America will travel from Springfield’s sister city of Tlaquepaque, Mexico to perform at both at ArtsFiesta! and Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street.

ArtsFiesta! admission is $3; children 10 and under are free. Advance “Artsfest Weekend Super Pass” tickets can be purchased at all area McDonald’s restaurants through Friday, May 2 for $10. The “Super Pass” includes one Springfield Cardinals general admission ticket for the weekend; two-day entry to Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street; one entry to ArtsFiesta!; and free entry to the Springfield Symphony concert in Jordan Valley Park.

A visiting delegation of more than 20 members also will make the trip from Tlaquepaque. Members include civic, governmental, and organizations who will meet with their counterparts in Springfield. The newly-elected Mayor of Tlaquepaque, José Hernan Cortés Berumen also will travel with the delegation.

The Mexican festival will include authentic music and dancing featuring performances by Grupo Latinoamericano and the Central High School Salsa/Merengue dancers. ArtsFiesta! also will feature children’s arts and crafts, a soccer shoot-out area and giveaways, and market area.

Sponsors for this event include presenting sponsor American Family Insurance as well as Kraft Foods, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Webster University, Alice @ 95.5, La M Grande 97.7, KSFX Ozarks Fox, KOLR 10, Springfield Regional Arts Council, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, City of Springfield, and the Urban Districts Alliance.

ArtsFiesta! celebrates not only the relationship with Tlaquepaque, but also is a way to recognize the Hispanic influences in the Springfield metropolitan area. Similarly, the Japanese Fallfest event held annually at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Nathanael Greene /Close Memorial Park celebrates the relationship with Springfield’s other sister city of Isesaki, Japan.


Discovery Center Free Family Fun Day

Tue 4/15/2008 12:56 PM

April 19, 2008 10am - 5pm Earth Day - Discovery Center Free Family Fun Day -Presented by Springfield/Greene County Choose Environmental Excellence and Underwritten by J Howard Fisk Limousines, Inc.

Celebrate Earth Day by enjoying educational displays and hands on activities and demonstrations from a variety of community organizations. Some vendors include Springfield Astronomical Society, National Weather Service, Ozarks Clean Air Alliance, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, James River Basin Partnership.

Plus enjoy the Discovery Center of Springfield's hands-on exhibits and walk through the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in SW Missouri. This public "green" building allows visitors to understand what it takes to be sustainable and how you can make a difference at home. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information check the website at www.discoverycenter.org or call 862-9910.

Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors and $5.00 children (3-12).


Discovery Center of Springfield Summer Enrollment Reminder

Tue 4/15/2008 12:55 PM

Discovery Center offers summer enrichment classes for age 4 through 8th grade. These unique, educational experiences will cover a wide variety of exciting science, health, environmental and engineering topics.

Beginning the week of June 10th, these workshops will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:30am - Noon each week.

Cost per week is $40.00 members and $50.00 for non-members. Some workshops may have additional supply fees.

Check the website for the full list of classes. Summer Workshops

New this year is 4 different weeks with 4 different workshops designed especially for students entering grade 6-8. Middle school workshops are offered the weeks of June 17-19, July 8-10, July 22-24, August 5-7.

To sign up for these workshops call 862-9910 Ext. 706.

Discovery Center of Springfield
438 E St. Louis St.
Springfield, MO 65806
www.discoverycenter.org


Vandivort Center Theatre On-Line News

Tue 4/15/2008 11:37 AM

Louis H. Schaeffer, Executive Producer
Gary Lyons, Production Associate/Director
VCT Directors: Robert Bradley, Richard Dines, Gretchen Teague
Guest Director: Shawn Teague

Our Lucky 13th Season Continues
4-15-08

The Box Office is open this week, Tuesday-Saturday 12-5 PM and one hour prior to all evening performances. The theatre is located at 305 E. Walnut Street, 4th floor, in downtown Springfield MO. Call 417-831-8001 (out of town 888-452-0930) for tickets or more information. Tickets may be purchased over the phone, using a credit card or in person, at our box office.Volunteer ushers are needed for most performances. Call to sign up a receive complementary seating for that performance. Ushers need to report to the theatre 45 minutes before each performance.

Final three performances of JACQUES BREL...this weekend

Don’t miss “Robert Bradley's elegant new staging of the ever-popular revue at the Vandivort...The show consists of 26 tunes, performed as solos and in various combinations by a talented cast of three men (Tim Caldwell, Jeff Carney, Sean Spyres) and three women (Liz Carney, Judy Luxton, Carol Reinert).”–Larry T. Collins, Springfield News-Leader

Click here to read the full review: Enjoy going around with 'Jacques Brel' cast

With original production conception, English lyrics, additional material by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman, based on Jacques Brel's lyrics and commentary, music by Jacques Brel.
Directed by Robert Bradley, musical direction by Noah Karrash, choreography by Ruth Barnes, set and costume design by Louis H. Schaeffer, lighting design by Gary Lyons.

Featuring Tim Caldwell, Jeff Carney, Liz Carney, Judy Luxton, Carol Reinert and Sean Spyres.

Come on a musical marathon journey through the last half of the twentieth century with Jacques Brel’s songs on love that is rich but fleeting, life that is a mad but dangerous waltz, laughter tinged with cynicism, jaunty whimsy, and despair of war. Hear songs that you will long remember such as “Madeleine,” “Jackie,” “Amsterdam,” “Carousel,” and “If We Only Have Love.”"Brel's music…remains glorious!" –New York Post.

Final performances: April 17-19, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Tickets: Fri & Sat: Adults: $20, Seniors (55 and over) and Students: $18; Thurs: $18/$16. Student rush tickets $10 (if seats are available) 30 minutes before each performance, with I.D. Group rates available for 12 or more ($2 discount, per ticket for 12-23; $3 discount, per ticket for 24 and more; not available on preview and opening night.

All prices include 7.1% sales tax and a $1 theatre renovation fee. A $2 handling charge is added to all mail orders.

Tickets are now on sale for ART OF MURDER

Will Jack, the eccentric painter, kill Vincent, his flamboyant art dealer? Will Annie, Jack’s reluctant wife, help her husband? Or, is something else going on?
Try to solve the mystery in ART OF MURDER, by Joe DiPietro, directed by Shawn Teague, featuring Nicole Boldt, David Logan, Dawn McClain and Clancy Parks.

ART OF MURDER, the 2000 Edgar Award Winner for Best Mystery Play, is “A scintillating hit with thrills and chills and some wonderful humor…It will have you laughing and guessing who is to be murdered and who is the murderer.” —Suburban News. “It is hilarious, suspenseful, surprising and dazzling in every way.” —Equinox News.

Performances: May 1-3, 8-10 at 7:30 PM, May 4 & 11 at 2 PM
Tickets: PREVIEW May 1: all seats $10, Friday and Saturday Evenings: $18 Adult,$16 Student/Senior. Thursday Evenings and Sunday Matinees: $16 Adult, $14 Student/Senior. Group Rates Available for 12 or more. Student Rush Tickets $8 (if seats are available) 30 minutes before each performance, with I.D. Tickets go on sale April 15, 2008. All prices include 7.1% sales tax and a $1 theatre renovation fee. A $2 handling charge is added to all mail orders.

Plan to attend the Friday night, May 2 opening of ART OF MURDER and stay for lobby reception, following the performance. Meet the cast and production staff and enjoy light refreshments.

Coming Attraction Tickets going ON SALE June 3
TINTYPES tickets go on sale June 3, performances are July 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 at 7:30 PM, July 6 & 13 at 2 PM: $10-$20. All seats are $15 on July 3 & 4 for this red, white and blue American musical.
2008-2009 Season Tickets and Flex Passes go on June 3.
(Our Box Office will be closed May 12 through June 2, 2008)


Limeliters Perform Benefit Concert at the Gillioz Theatre

Tue 4/15/2008 8:26 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Limeliters, one of the true legendary American folk music groups, are performing a benefit concert at the Gillioz Theatre Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will aid the theatre in its restoration. Known for great harmony, humor and contemporary satire, The Limeliters present a very entertaining show that will showcase the wonderful acoustics of the Gillioz Theatre. Tickets are now available at the Gillioz Theatre box office 417-863-9491 ($25 general admission; $20 student/senior).

The Limeliters launched their career in 1959 at San Francisco's famous Hungry i and before long, founding members Alex Hassilev, Lou Gottlieb and Glenn Yarbrough emerged as one of the dominant voices of the early 1960's folk music scene. For three years they were the musical representatives for Coca-Cola, and their rendition of the jingle “Things Go Better with Coke” became a national hit. A string of best selling albums for RCA Records and frequent appearances on every major TV show quickly made them a household name.

Time Magazine summed up their appeal with the following memorable quote: "If the button down scrubbed looking Kingston Trio are the undergraduates of big-time folk singing, The Limeliters are the faculty."

In the ensuing years, the lineup has featured several spectacularly talented new members, but The Limeliters have never deviated from the integrity of the fabulous sound that they pioneered. With their energy and enthusiasm undiminished and undaunted, current members Mack Bailey, Andy Corwin, and Gaylan Taylor, remain as exciting an act as the genre has produced. Now more than ever, the surging vocals, thrilling harmony and whacked out sense of humor of this unique trio continue to earn them their title as The Fabulous Limeliters!

The Gillioz Theatre was a grand movie palace built in 1926 to coincide with the opening of Route 66. This ornate theatre was home to a number of world premier movies including several films starring Ronald Reagan who attended the premier of “The Winning Team” in 1953 in Springfield. In 1956 Elvis Presley attended a movie in the Gillioz Theatre. Over the past 15 years the theatre has undergone meticulous restoration bringing this magnificent 1,130-seat theatre back to its opening-day glory.

Andy Corwin, bass player and singer with The Limeliters, said, “It is a pleasure to perform in this wonderful place. We’re glad to be able to help the restoration fund, and to bring our music to our many fans in the Ozarks.”


The Mike Vax Big Band

Tue 4/15/2008
   
The Mike Vax Big Band
April 22, 7:30pm
Logan Rogersville Highschool Auditorium, 4700 S. State Hwy 125, Rogersville. Concert featuring alumni of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and ticket sales will benefit the LRHS Concert and Jazz Band Programs. Admission: $10 adults; $8 students/seniors. Tickets available at: Citizens Bank of Rogersville, The Percussion Shop, and Hoover Music. For more information call Greg James at 417-827-5960 or the LRHS band office.

Operazzi to Feature Tenor, Jeff Carney

Mon 4/14/2008 10:04 PM

Springfield Regional Opera's Operazzi will feature tenor, Jeff Carney Sunday, April 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Nonna's Italian American Cafe in downtown Springfield.

Carney, a local favorite, has appeared in concerts, operas and musical theatre in Springfield as well as roles with the San Francisco and Connecticut Opera. He is currently featured in the Vandivort Center Theatre's production of "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris".

Operazzi is free and open to the public and is featured as part of Nonna's Cast Party the third Sunday of every month. Reservations are recommended by calling 417-831-1222.


Dogs will be a-bloomin’ at first annual Arf-Fest!

Mon 4/14/2008 3:42 PM

On Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 6pm, the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Plaza area on Historic C-Street (Commercial Street) will be teeming with dogs of all sizes, shapes and varieties as the Springfield Regional Arts Council presents its first annual Arf-Fest. Teaming up with the Arts Council will be the Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation (SAAF), a new animal advocacy group formed recently with the goal of eliminating homeless pets in Springfield.

Area rescue and pet welfare groups invite the community to learn more about efforts to eliminate pet abuse and homeless pets. Animal Abuse Council, CARE (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort), Laws for Paws, Pet Connection, SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program), and SW MO K9s announce the initiation of an SAAF fund at Community Foundation of the Ozarks where the various groups’ efforts can be rewarded with contributions to help in their collaborative works.

Arf-Fest begins at 1pm in the "Pet Pavilion" in the C-Street Market area which will be filled with booths of more than a dozen pet vendors representing pet products, services and care purveyors of the area. At 2pm, contestants in the ever-popular "Beauty Show & Parade" will compete for fabulous prizes in categories like largest/smallest, most like owner and other equally whimsical categories.

The event will include "Pets of the Past," a competition for the most interesting historic pet/owner combination, potentially a lavish costumed extravaganza with participants parading across the historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge to be judged by a panel of judges. Arf-Fest committee members say the costumes don’t have to be “historically correct” – anything fanciful or whimsical will qualify towards the cash prizes to be awarded.

Also featured will be "Plein Aire Pets," where a variety of local painters, sketch artists and photographers will be set up doing canine creations and many of whom will be on site to do pooch portraits. Any artist wishing to participate is invited to call the Arts Council.

Admission is $3, children 10 and under free. A $5 admission includes entry into either or both competitions as well. For more information, to serve as a volunteer or to book a vendor space, contact the Springfield Regional Arts Council, 862-ARTS (2787).


Spring is here! Reserve Your Creative “Nest” Now!

Mon 4/14/2008 4:26 PM

Springfield Regional Arts Council has two openings in its Storefront Studios program beginning May 1, just in time for your Springtime creative ideas. The studios are located in a large “warehouse” on N. Main Street which is divided into 12 separate work areas,

***“You can’t beat the price,” says Sandra CH Smith, director of the Arts Council. “Terms on these studios are very favorable: $50 monthly covers rent and utilities. The first and last month rent is due when the monthly lease is signed and an additional $50 security deposit is required as well – the security deposit is returned when you move out provided all terms of the lease have been met. All you need to pay upfront is $150 and you have your own studio en ville.”***

One of the terms of the lease is that participants must spend at least 10 hours a week working on their art in the studio space.

“We usually have a waiting list for these spaces and so we’re not just offering storage space…it’s to help artists and writers create,” explains Smith.

These prime spots will be available on a first-come, first- served basis. Interested artists or writers may contact the Springfield Regional Arts Council for an application, 417-862-ARTS(2787).


28th Annual Artsfest Seeks Volunteers for May 3rd & 4th Event

Mon 4/14/2008 11:00 AM

Springfield Regional Arts Council is seeking volunteers to help with the 28th annual Artsfest. a Fine Arts event on May 3rd and 4th. .

The event, which features over 100 artists from around the country, will be held along historic Walnut Street, from National Avenue to John Q. Hammons Parkway. Besides visual artists, there will also be stages set up along Walnut Street featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment.

Volunteers are needed to keep the event running smoothly and as festival manager Erin Lurvey says, “It will be a ton of fun!”. Everything from manning soda stands or running messages to artists, to manning the entrance gates…there’s something for everyone. Three-hour shifts are set up beginning at 9:30am and ending at 6pm each day.

Artsfest, a program of the Arts Council, is managed by the Urban Districts Alliance and anyone wishing to volunteer may contact UDA’s Sharyn Wagoner, 417-827-3657. A volunteer form (pdf) can be downloaded here which can then be faxed to Sharyn at 417-831-6217.

For further information about Artsfest, contact the Arts Council, 417-862-ARTS(2787).


May First Friday Art Walk Description - Creamery Offers Kaleidoscope of Art

Thu 4/10/2008 12:42 PM

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will feature artwork by Rolla artist Paula Turney Brewer and Anne Meese as well as eight elementary and middle school art teachers from the Southwest Missouri region.

Paula Turney Brewer has been drawing since the age of 10. Most of her work is done in graphite on canvas and woodblock prints. Her work resides in private, corporate and university collections and is carried by the Orval Reeves Art Gallery in Rolla and Meramec Vineyards Bistro in St. James.

Anne Meese, artist-in-residence for the Springfield Regional Arts Council, will feature her paintings created while visiting over 40 elementary and middle schools throughout Southwest Missouri. Anne spent a day at each of these schools demonstrating painting tools and developing a painting throughout the school day. Eight art teachers from the schools Anne visited will also include a piece of their work in the show.

Art teachers exhibiting at the Creamery are:

Alison Simmons—Ash Grove & Bois D’Arc

Rebecca Saylor—Dadeville Elementary

Ronda Baldwin—Fair Grove Elementary

Alice Schofield—Forsyth Elemen