Gerontology Program at Missouri State University

🎉 Let’s meet the Best of Show winner from this year’s exhibition!

Meet Ron Reese, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Ron is from Marshfield, Missouri, and his pieces are “Crawford Tire Shop” and “Eight Yellow Roses” (not pictured). His piece “Crawford Tire Shop” was awarded Best of Show in this year’s exhibition.

“Crawford Tire Shop” was inspired by a local business that he feels represents “old school” values of trustworthiness, honesty, and dependability. His second piece, “Eight Yellow Roses,” was created as an expression of his affection for the people who commissioned it. Ron shares that he makes art both to continue building his skills and to express his ideas and feelings.

Tomorrow is the last day to experience the full exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open 10 AM–5 PM)! 🎨

Meet Helen Long, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Helen is from Branson, Missouri, and her pieces are “Palette Splash” and “Dogwood Canyon” (both watercolor paintings). Her piece “Dogwood Canyon,” inspired by spring, was awarded the Dr. Bradley Fisher Founder’s Award in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

Helen shares that she has been making art most of her life.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

Meet Marla Rush Parnell, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Marla is from Springfield, Missouri, and her pieces are “Sleepers” (pastel painting) and “Labniappe” (pastel & gouache painting). Both pieces were selected for a Juror’s Choice award (each by a different juror) in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

“Sleepers” was inspired when her daughter posted a photo of her granddaughters sleeping, and her first thought was, “That’s a painting!” The lighting and diagonal lines inspired her to paint. “Labniappe” was inspired by a photo her cousin posted of her dog sleeping in a patterned bedspread; the contrast of the soft white dog and blanket with the paisley pattern drew her to paint him. Marla shares that she creates art to celebrate the everyday images that surround her and to bring joy to others.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨