Education
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Whether you want to make your own art or explore local artistic constructs, look no further.
Instructional crafting sessions and information on local artistic events can be found at the Crisp Museum. View the activities and lectures offered through the museum and enroll in a class today.
Activities, Workshops, Presentations and Demos
Museum program details are below. Some activities have pre-registration, age limits, and possible fees. If you can't find your answer, please call (573) 651-2260 or email museum@semo.edu to speak with a person during work hours or leave a message.
Noon - 3 p.m. on Mondays / free
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16
December 7, 14, 21
Local artists can gather here to socialize and create in our space. In fair weather, a small group will meet at an off-site location for plein air painting. For more details, contact Ellen Flentge at (573) 651-2260.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. / free / drop in
A game with 8 jokers can't be bad. The goal is to make a hand with 14 tiles so you can say, "Mah Jongg!" before the other players. This event is free. Participants can play in their own group or meet others who have found the joy of Mah Jongg.
Art for Adults 9 a.m. - Noon or 2 - 5 p.m.
Tuesdays or Wednesdays
August 4 - December 16 (may attend when you can)
Fee $5 / Pre-register online and click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
This is a small group. Beginners will learn to mix the colors that they need and how to arrange a palette, use the brushes, and clean them correctly. You may use the museum’s supplies or bring your acrylics, oils, soft pastels, or watercolors. Color theory works for all media, and once you learn it, you can try them all. Paint from pictures you take or find to make works to keep or gift—mini lessons taught by Ellen Flentge.
Questions: (573) 651-2660.
Portrait Painting
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. First and third Thursdays, January-June
Fee $5 / Pre-register online and click "Enroll in Class" and follow the prompts.
Learn the most important steps related to facial features to make a successful likeness of someone.
Paint from pictures you take or use examples to practice color mixing, skin tones, and clothing in light and shadow. Use various values and intensities of colors to create the convex and concave forms that represent a person's image. Participants may share tips and tricks with others. Mini-lessons are taught by Ellen Flentge.
Questions: (573) 651-2660.
November 6 or 7, 2026
9am-4pm
Adults / Preregistration and $15 Fee due one week prior / Some supplies provided, list given after sign-up
Join Gahada Sultani-Hoffman for a one-day felting workshop on November 6 or 7 from 9am-4pm Learn to create beautiful works art using the unique process called Felting, which is also known as Painting with Wool.
The processes Sultani-Hoffman will teach are based on the techniques by Moy Mackay, an award winning Scottish artist who is regarded as the leading authority of this art form. Participants will learn carding, arranging wool fibers with a wet-felting process to turn the work into a solid piece. A second technique will use needle-felting to add detail and additional elements to make a beautiful work of art. Other additions can involve hand stitching on your piece.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO. Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu.
November 10, 2026
Bands of Color Basket Weaving with Laura Klaus
9 a.m. until finished
Provide your own refreshments/lunch.
Reserve your spot https://semo.edu/museum Click Enroll in Class and follow prompt
Fee $85 must be paid by Nov. 3 online or in person at the museum.
Follow step by step with Laura Klaus to create your 11" x 11" x 9" Bands of Color basket with colored middle bands in a matter of hours. Natural fibers are dampened and woven to create an attractive finished piece in one session.
Questions: Museum (573) 651-2260 Em: museum@semo.edu
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum will host Brady Wolf, Curator of Indigenous collections Missouri Historical Society Library & Research Center for a presentation on November 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Please check back for more details soon.
Questions: Museum (573) 651-2260 Em: museum@semo.edu
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Paint NIght: Colorful Fall
November 12
6-9 p.m.
Preregistration due by November 10 / $10 Public fee required or Free to SEMO students
Register online https://semo.edu/museum Click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Follow step by step to create your colorful sky and add a tree with fall leaves that are swirling all around. Extra details to add may be harvest items like pumpkins and apples, or sunflowers, birds, and more.
Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu.
Preregistration required by one day before, online https://semo.edu or drop in the museum.
Participants will solve problems and discover clues to escape the room before time is up.
More details coming soon, please check back.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 Em: museum@semo.edu
This event is free and open to the public.
In this book, Cape Girardeau & Jackson: Past & Present, author Tom Neumeyer presents a photo-documentary of how these communities have changed through the years, comparing the sights of landmarks from yesteryear and how they look in the 21st century.
The photos are complemented with a detailed narrative to convey the life story of these cities, a chronicle of two centuries of life. Tom Neumeyer has worked in print media as an author, photo journalist, writer, and newspaper editor. He is author/photographer of the book "Cape Girardeau Then and Now" published in 2010 with Dr. Frank Nickell. He and Dr. Robert Hamblin published the book "A Momentary Stay: Photographs and Poems," in 2025 and several other books.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.
Author Tom Neumeyer will give a talk on his recently published book, Cape Girardeau & Jackson: Past & Present at Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum on November 14, at 2 p.m.
In this book, Cape Girardeau & Jackson: Past & Present, author Tom Neumeyer presents a photo-documentary of how these communities have changed through the years, comparing the sights of landmarks from yesteryear and how they look in the 21st century.
The photographs are complimented with a detailed narrative to convey the life story of these cities, a chronicle of two centuries of life.
For families and long-time residents of the region, Cape Girardeau and Jackson: Past and Present will be an excellent source for reflection and remembrance to the place you call home, as well as a wonderful historical record for visitors and historians new to the region.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu or eflentge@semo.edu
Paint Night: Snowman & Hot Cocoa
December 12
6-9 p.m.
Pre-registration due by December 10 / $10 Public fee required or free for SEMO students
Register online: https://semo.edu/museum. Click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts.
Follow the steps to create a marshmallow snowman floating in a cup of hot cocoa with acrylic paints. Add details like a candy cane, sparkling lights, and holiday greenery. Supplies are provided.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO.
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Email: museum@semo.edu
December 12, 2026
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Free
Preregister online http://semo.edu click "Enroll in Class" and follow prompts or come by the museum.
Let your creativity spiral! Come to Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum coil some paper and make your own holiday themed quilled ornaments. Create a shape and fill the inside with designs using one color or several.
Crisp Museum is located inside the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus at 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Questions: (573) 651-2260 or Em: museum@semo.edu
Contact Us
Phone
Location
Office
River Campus
175 Cultural Arts Center
518 S. Fountain
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Mailing Address
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701