West Newsmagazine 2-21-24
Local news, local politics and community events for West St. Louis County Missouri.
Local news, local politics and community events for West St. Louis County Missouri.
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Creve Coeur takes first steps in<br />
launching Plein Air Art Festival<br />
By JEFFRY GREENBERG<br />
The world-famous Barbizon Impressionists<br />
held their first Plein Air Art Show in<br />
1874. Fast forward exactly 150 years and<br />
Creve Coeur is hoping to do the same.<br />
On Feb. 12, the Creve Coeur City Council<br />
unanimously approved hosting the festival<br />
in Millennium Park on Thursday, July<br />
11 in conjunction with the city’s Summer<br />
Concert Series. That is if all the park’s<br />
improvements have been completed.<br />
(Source: Adobe Stock)<br />
“This is a way to engage the community<br />
in cultural art and to celebrate Creve<br />
Coeur,” explained Public Information<br />
Officer Melissa Bradford, who is also<br />
staff liaison for the city’s Art Committee.<br />
“Artists show up in the morning (on Saturday,<br />
July 6) at Dielmann Recreation Complex<br />
with their blank canvas that would<br />
be stamped on the spot. They would have<br />
nearly an entire week up until the following<br />
Thursday to pick a location outdoors<br />
within our city boundaries and paint a<br />
scene outdoors.<br />
“The artists would bring their artwork<br />
back (on Thursday, July 11), put it on<br />
display, and have a reception open to the<br />
public. The Tappmeyer House could be<br />
the place for that. With the concert ongoing,<br />
the public could view the paintings.<br />
They would be available for purchase and<br />
it would be a great way to kick off our concert<br />
series in our newly-renovated park.”<br />
Bradford added that there would be a<br />
judging process where first and second<br />
place would receive cash prizes. To that<br />
end, she asked permission from the council<br />
to solicit sponsorships from local businesses<br />
and individuals. An entrance fee<br />
paid by participating artists, would cover<br />
event marketing and food and drink for<br />
artists and volunteers.<br />
Arts Committee Chair Robert Morrissey<br />
noted that the expected entrance fee is $50<br />
per artist.<br />
“If we make it a higher fee, these artists<br />
can expect a really nice event and we can<br />
also make it a better purse,” Morrissey<br />
said. “The higher the purse we can offer,<br />
the better quality of artists. But this being<br />
our first event, we’re trying to be modest<br />
and look toward a long horizon. So, we’re<br />
going to start off within budget.”<br />
Bradford added that looking at other<br />
cities, first prize is normally $500 to $750.<br />
It was also indicated that while this event<br />
is for entrants 18 and older, Creve Coeur<br />
may also have a category exclusive to high<br />
school students.<br />
Award categories could include Best in<br />
Show, First RunnerUp, People’s Choice<br />
and High School Best in Show. The event<br />
would be judged by local and regional artists<br />
and experts, according to Bradford.<br />
“The Arts Committee would also like<br />
to request from the city council an additional<br />
$1,000 to help support the costs of<br />
this event,” Bradford said. “This is the first<br />
time we’re hosting it, and we want to make<br />
sure it goes off with a bang. It could be a<br />
really successful community event, show<br />
respect to the artists, and ultimately, lead<br />
to additional participation in future years.”<br />
According to organizers, the Plein Air<br />
Art Festival supports one of the organizational<br />
goals outlined in the city’s 2023-25<br />
Strategic Plan to help promote cultural arts<br />
within the city and encourage connections<br />
with other local art organizations.<br />
February <strong>21</strong>, 20<strong>24</strong><br />
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE<br />
I NEWS I 13<br />
ROCKWOOD, from previous<br />
when law enforcement and the Department<br />
of Social Services were notified, court filings<br />
say.<br />
The suit goes on to say that, “Rockwood<br />
and SSD were consciously aware<br />
that members of the mentally disabled<br />
community, special needs community and<br />
especially the Down syndrome community,<br />
are more susceptible to sexual abuse and<br />
violations of their physical body.”<br />
The suit alleges that neither Rockwood or<br />
SSD took the necessary action to prevent<br />
the abuse, harassment and discrimination<br />
of the student, or put a stop to it. The suit<br />
goes on to say that as a result of this, Doe<br />
was subjected to repeated abuse and had to<br />
transfer schools as a result. The suit alleges<br />
that Doe is also suffering from emotional<br />
distress and economic damages, including<br />
treatment costs incurred for treatment<br />
related to the abuse, are being sought.<br />
Both cases are requesting a jury trial.<br />
Rockwood cannot comment on any pending<br />
litigation involving the district, according<br />
to Mary LaPak, Rockwood’s chief<br />
communications officer.
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