Group announces art, essay winners
Friends of John H. Johnson Museum recently announced winners in the second annual Art and Essay Competition held at Dermott Elementary School.
The first place winner was Keyshaun Sanders; second place winner was Marcus Henry; third place winner was Cyndoria Johnson; and fourth place winner was Drew Briggs, according to a news release.
Students who participated in the competition were students in Julia Boatner’s sixth grade class. Each winner received a cash prize with first place receiving $30; second place receiving $25; third place receiving $15 and fourth place receiving $15.
Students were tasked with drawing or writing about John H. Johnson, who was the founder of Johnson Publishing Co. and Ebony and Jet magazines.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The students visited the John H. Johnson Museum and John H. Johnson Commemorative Plaza in Arkansas City on Nov. 1 on John H. Johnson Day.
Judging the competition was Maddison Toston, Anne Owens, Angelique Fickle and Zariah Hill. Details: www.johnhjohnsonmuseum.org.
UAPB slates Color Purple: The Musical
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Theatre Program, in partnership with the ARTx3 Campus, will present The Color Purple: The Musical.
The musical will begin at 7 p.m. April 9 at the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater of the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St.
Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the musical is a UAPB John McLinn Ross Players production.
This production is a collaboration between UAPB’s Department of Art and Design and the Arts & Science Center.
“This collaboration marks a thrilling moment in Pine Bluff’s cultural landscape, led by UAPB’s new Instructor of Theatre, Taijee,” according to a news release.
“This is an exciting and important moment for the UAPB Theatre Program and the ARTx3 Campus,” said Taijee. “The Color Purple is an iconic and deeply moving story, and I am thrilled to bring this production to life with such a talented cast and creative team. I hope this collaboration will continue to bring more arts opportunities to Pine Bluff, and I look forward to working alongside ARTx3 to make an impact in this community.”
Taijee, originally from Lonoke, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and a Master of Arts in teaching from Southern Arkansas University. Currently, pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, Taijee has dedicated his career to creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities through the arts, according to the release.
The Color Purple: The Musical will be held at 7 p.m. April 9-12; 2 p.m. April 12; and 3 p.m. April 13. Tickets are available for purchase at tix.com/ticket-sales/ARTx3Campus/4544.
In addition to public performances, ARTx3 Campus will host two special school performances on April 10. These performances are suggested for high school-aged students due to mature content, and students will have the opportunity to watch the show and participate in a question and answer session with the cast and crew. School tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more details, contact ARTx3’s theater and media assistant, Kayla Earnest, at kearnest@artx3.org.
4-H Day set at Capitol
More than 500 Arkansas 4-H members from 55 counties will participate in 4-H Day at the Capitol on Tuesday to see government in action.
They’ll meet with their respective legislators, tour the Capitol, attend sessions in the House and Senate, and tour the Arkansas Supreme Court building, according to a news release.
State constitutional officers will speak to the group in the Capitol Rotunda. A schedule of events includes:
10:30-11:15 a.m. — Tribute to 4-H — 2nd floor rotunda. Speakers include:
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge;
State Treasurer John Thurston;
Attorney General Tim Griffin;
Secretary of State Cole Jester;
Deacue Fields – Vice President-Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture;
John Anderson, Director of Cooperative Extension Service.
11:15 a.m. — Youth meet with their respective elected officials.
11:50 a.m. — Youth visit the State Treasurer’s office – get photo ops with money.
1 p.m. — Youth attend sessions in House and Senate / Visit Arkansas Supreme Court building.
2 p.m. — Group photo inside Capitol Rotunda.