Jason Parrott traveled to three regional art galleries for this week’s program to spotlight current exhibits and to preview the year ahead.
Fort Madison, IA
Brian Riggs is the Executive Director for the Fort Madison Area Arts Association.
He says 2012 is starting out as it has for years with the annual Budding Artists Showcase.
The show features more than 100 pieces from elementary and middle school students from Central Lee, Fort Madison, and Holy Trinity.
The reception for the Budding Artists Showcase is scheduled for Saturday from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at the FMAAA gallery at 825 Avenue G.
Riggs says it is nice to see the development of the young artists over time.
He says a couple of other unique events take place later in the year.
The month of May will feature a new exhibit focusing on bird-related artwork from multiple artists while October will showcase a California photographer originally from Fort Madison.
Burlington, IA
The Burlington Art Gallery at 301 Jefferson Street is currently empty as some painting and other maintenance work is underway.
Jim Hilkin with the Burlington Art Guild says the first show of the year will focus on Mississippi River waterfowl.
A reception will be held on February 19 to open the exhibit, which runs through March 18.
The idea for the waterfowl show came out of an Earth Day gathering.
The event will also feature a French wildlife artist making his first display in the United States.
Hilkin says the month of March will feature a stained glass display from a local organization.
There will also be an art and artifact sale at the downtown gallery on January 28 from 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Canton, MO
Debra Scoggin-Myers is the new director for the Mabee Art Gallery at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.
She says her goal is to bring a variety of works to the two-story gallery inside the Herrick Foundation Center.
Scoggin-Myers says the current exhibit features the works of six current and retired staff members. It includes photography, handmade books and paper, watercolors and collage.
Scoggin-Myers says the yearly schedule not only features student and faculty works, but also exhibits from out-of-town artists.
Senior Studio Art Major Melissa Moon of Colchester is one of seven seniors taking part in the next show, which opens in March.
It showcases book illustrations, photography, and graphic design.
Moon says she has always grown up with art, but she does not know where it will take her.
The final exhibit of the year is another student show, though it is open to more than just seniors.
