Final weeks of semester explode with culture

Classes may be winding down, but there are plenty of arts and entertainment events to attend during the next few weeks as the spring semester comes to a close.

On May 3, the Graduating Seniors BFA Art Exhibit will open at the River Campus Art Gallery. The biannual event will feature artwork created by graduating seniors pursuing art degrees at Southeast Missouri State University. It's an important event that serves as a capstone for student artists and offers the public a glimpse at the talent of the graduating class.

According to Emily Booth, Southeast art professor and director of the River

Campus Art Gallery, the show provides the graduating seniors with a transitional stepping-stone from student life to professional work.

"The BFA Exhibition helps lead [the students] to whatever is next in their

professional endeavors, whether they go on to a Masters Degree or they go out into the workforce or the gallery scene, [the exhibit] is really their big grand finale," Booth said.

The exhibit will hold a public opening reception and be featured as part of the "First Friday" arts event on May 6. The display will run through May 15.

In addition to the senior art exhibit, there are a number of other cultural events scheduled throughout the next few weeks.

April 28--"Psycho Beach Party" Second Stage Series: The Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Psycho Beach Party," a comedic mix of 1960s beach movies and slasher films of the 1970s. April 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. and May 1 at 2 p.m., Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre at the River Campus.

April 29--Russian National Ballet Theatre presents "Romeo and Juliet": The Russian National Ballet Theatre will present a full-length version of "Romeo and Juliet." April 29 at 7:30 p.m., Bedell Hall at the River Campus.

May 3--"Requiem" Concerto Movements Concert: The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Southeast University Choir and Choral Union will come together to present a night of music featuring John Rutter's "Requiem" on May 3. The concert will include a pre-concert talk headed by professor of music, Dr. Robert Fruehwald, at 6:45 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Bedell Hall at the River Campus.