Blytheville fine arts students to be showcased

"All That Jazz," a celebration of the students in the Blytheville School District's fine arts programs, will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Delta Gateway Museum on Main Street.

This will be the second time that the celebration will be held in the museum, located in the old Kress Building, which Rachel Redican believes is an ideal spot.

"This is a really unique way to enjoy all the artwork and to celebrate the youth of this community," said Redican, who is coordinating the "All That Jazz" event. "We could have this celebration in any one of a number of locations, but there's something about having it in downtown Blytheville, at the Kress Building, that creates a more intimate setting for the performances."

The lineup of student performers for "All That Jazz" includes the Blytheville Elementary School Select Choir, Blytheville Middle School Choir, Blytheville High School Choir, BMS Band, BHS Band and Jazz Band, and students who will perform for "Dancing with the Chickasaws."

Artwork will be on display from each of the 12 grades and the kindergarten center at Blytheville Primary School.

Dr. Siamak Shahriari, one of the supporters of the district's fine arts efforts, will judge each of the grades' artwork and provide the "Greatest Artist" awards to deserving students.

The students will be led by art instructors Redican, Angela Menne, Charlee Predmore, Jackie Burns and Betty Gawthrop, and band/music instructors Ken Dumond, (district's director of bands) Harriett Jumper, Michelle Green, Carla Wells, Melinda Williams, Janet Rooney and Marilyn McNear

In addition to the artwork and musical performances, Redican said local history, including such things as Native American artifacts and old photographs and memorabilia from the city of Blytheville and then-Eaker Air Force Base, will be on display at the museum.