Archives for February 2025

All School Exhibition finds temporary home at Missouri State’s Brick City Gallery

February 28, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design will host the Springfield Art Museum’s annual All School Exhibition Feb. 28-April 6.

The exhibition is on view Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. at the Brick City Gallery.

Showcases for middle and high school students are Friday, Feb. 28 from 5:30-7 p.m. The elementary school student showcase is Saturday, March 1 from 12-3 p.m.

Major renovation in the works

The Springfield Art Museum is using Brick City’s gallery space this year while it undergoes an expansive renovation ahead of its centennial anniversary in 2028.

Key improvements include a new west entry with an expanded lobby and visitors’ lounges, an east façade with high-ceiling gallery and the Family Learning Center with hands-on art-making activities. The renovation aims to enhance visitor experience and further showcase the museum’s role as a hub for creativity and education.

Celebrating a Springfield tradition

The All School Exhibition has been a Springfield tradition since 1932. By hosting the All School Exhibition, Missouri State supports that tradition through its commitment to fostering the arts and supporting community talent.

The exhibition celebrates the creativity of K-12 students and the hard work of talented area teachers. Families, friends and art enthusiasts are invited to view these exceptional works free of charge.

For more information on the All School Exhibition, contact the art and design department at 417-837-2330 or visit the Springfield Art Museum’s website.

Brick City Gallery, located at 215 W. Mill St, Springfield, MO 65806, is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Colorful mixed media image of girl with in field — Emilia Leighton, Cowden Elementary, “All About Me,” mixed media collage; Kara Risner, teacher.

Artwork on display at the All School Exhibition

Mia Whitney, Glendale High School, “Beta Fish,” pen and ink; Mrs. Blackburn, teacher.

Gulzada-Isayeva, Hillcrest High School, Graphic Design, screen print on t-shirt; Heather Weter, teacher.

InWorks fill both sides of the Brick City Gallery.

Malakai Lyles-Bowman, Cherokee Middle School, Self Portrait, Procreate digital print; Mr. Mostyn, teacher.

Salome Dordal Lujano, Mann Elementary, “Sweet Red,” still life; Mrs. Henningsen, teacher.

Sculptures, mixed media works by multiple students across district high schools.

Tynlee Mattix, Truman Elementary, “Snorkel Self Portrait,” watercolor; Mrs. Aubra George, teacher.

Photos provided by Vonda Yarberry.

News edited by the Reynolds College Communications Team.

Sam Barnette is a writer for the Department of Art and Design. She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film and is working toward an MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling at Truman State University.

MSU opera students shine in national competition

February 26, 2025 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Missouri State University’s Opera Theatre achieved an impressive milestone, qualifying for the 2025 Robert Hanson National Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in January.

Three sophomore standouts represented the university during the competition. Jb Love (music performance), Ryan McIntosh (music education) and Veronika Yerina (double major vocal performance and biology) are all members of MSU’s “Opera Bears” club.

MSU Opera director Dr. Ann Marie Daehn and Dr. Chris Thompson, both professors in the Department of Music, oversaw the students’ performances.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our students and speaks to their talent, dedication and hard work,” Daehn said.

Sending three sophomores was a deliberate choice, Daehn added. Most schools tend to send more experienced seniors or returning finalists.

“We focus on giving opportunities to all performers, even younger students,” she said. “This is about providing every one of our students the chance to grow.”

The National Opera Association (NOA) hosted the event at its national conference in Savannah, Georgia. The competition aims to recognize and promote artistic excellence in opera performance in college and university programs.

Paws to the Polls wraps up successful 2024

February 25, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Members of Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) organization spent the Fall 2024 semester in a whirlwind of activity, concluding with the 2024 presidential election.

The group oversaw a variety of outreach events dedicated to providing voting information and encouraging registration. They kept pace throughout the fall semester, attending conferences and fairs, giving talks and distributing information.

Civic engagement creates learning opportunities

In August, PTTP worked with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the League of Women Voters to present at the city’s Youth Civic Leadership Institute.

At the event, PTTP president Grace Wasson and vice president Amanda Gott ran a panel discussion and oversaw a voter simulation activity for high school students.

During September, PTTP continued its high school student voter information activities, collaborating again with the League of Women Voters. They held a voter registration information event for area high schools and registered 22 voters.

Also that month, the group coordinated a voter registration drive with the Springfield NAACP and the League of Women Voters at Springfield’s historic Washington Avenue Church.

For Gott and Wasson, working with the local community proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

“I found out very quickly that we not only register voters, but we [also] provide people with information on the voting process, upcoming elections, non-partisan resources for staying informed and much more,” Gott said. “I saw it as an opportunity to learn about voting and Missouri legislation, as well as an opportunity for engaging with my peers, my campus and my community.”

Gott, a sophomore double majoring in anthropology and modern language, joined PTTP in fall 2023.

Wasson had a similar reaction when first encountering PTTP. She joined the organization in fall 2022.

“I care deeply about local issues and civic engagement,” said Wasson, a sophomore political science major. “Paws felt like the perfect way to get involved and meet incredible, passionate people.”

Call for musicians for second annual “April at the Amphitheatre” concert series

February 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The “April at the Amphitheatre” concert series is once again calling for musician applications.

Now in its second year, the series is open to artists from across the Ozarks. Selected artists will receive a $300 honorarium.

During the month of April, artists perform on Wednesdays during the lunch hour for approximately 45 minutes.

Performances will be held at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA) in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park of Missouri State University.

All performances and are free and open to the public.

JGA and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities sponsor the event.

Contact Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations, for more information.

Apply

Performance dates

April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30

World-renowned choir to perform at Hammons Hall March 13

February 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Tuks Camerata, one of South Africa’s top choirs, will perform with Missouri State University’s Chorale at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. March 13.

High school choirs from Nixa and Republic will also perform. Daniel Gutierrez conducts the Nixa choir, and Chandler Cooper conducts the Republic choir. Gutierrez and Cooper are both MSU graduates.

MSU students, faculty and staff can receive up to two complimentary tickets by presenting their Bearpass ID at the box office. Tickets can also be purchased online.

Purchase tickets

Concert reflects range of musical styles

The Tuks Camerata and MSU Chorale will form a combined choir, said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and Director of Choral Studies.

“This concert encapsulates the power that choral music has to bring people together,” LaBarr said. “Our two choirs come from different backgrounds, yet we are united in our love for communal music making.”

They will perform pieces that showcase the wide range of musical styles from the USA and South Africa and will later feature on an album they will record in March, he added.

“Working with the MSU Chorale is a little like being at home. There is so much similar to our approaches and philosophies pertaining to choral music,” said Dr. Michael Barrett-Berg, conductor of Tuks Camerata and Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria.