Some old-school inspiration

Even with its doors padlocked, Lincoln-Hubbard School continues to be a source of inspiration to some Sedalians.

For years, the facility served as a beacon of light for African American families, brightening the path as they journeyed toward a better life. In 1980, the school closed its doors as an educational institution. Within a few months the building will begin a new life as an affordable housing complex for senior citizens.

When Cindy Morris, president of the Sedalia Visual Art Association, saw a photograph taken by Terry Kelly of the padlocked door, it brought to mind a project engineered the previous year by member Shirley Horacek.

For that undertaking, Horacek had taken a photo, enlarged it and cut it into two-inch squares. She then gave each of the artists in the association a section of the photo and asked them to complete a rendition of their section in their preferred medium. When the artists were finished they put the sections together like a puzzle. The finished work won an Excellence Award at the Missouri State Fair.

Acting on the success of that project, Morris distributed copies of Kelly’s photo this year to each member artist and asked them to create a work based on his or her interpretation of the photo in their medium of choice.

The results of the Visual Art Association’s efforts, along with other artwork by  members, went on display at Katy Depot on Sept. 15 and will be exhibited through Friday. At that time, the exhibit will move to the upstairs gallery at Liberty Center where it will remain through Nov. 28.

Artists represented in this show are: Madge Gressley, Janice Hargrave, Shirley Horacek, Kathy Menefee, Donna North, Linda Rhoads, Peggy Applequest, Marcia Azan, Laurie Bell, Jo Dey, Cindy Mason, Cindy Morris and Myrna Ragar, all of Sedalia; Suebet Beck, Janis Burgin and Evette Joyce, of Jefferson City; Rebecca Limback, Warrensburg; Linda Hoover, Houstonia; Pat O’Hanlon, Marshall; Connie Jo Foster, Liberty; Jodi Harsch, La Monte; Mary Hayden,Versailles; Neil Heimsoth, Cole Camp; Colleen Kauble, Lincoln; and Glenda Miller, of Tipton.

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All across the country, cities and towns have been devastated by hurricanes, floods, tornados and forest fires. As result, the coffers of the American Red Cross are emptying fast.

When major tornados struck Sedalia in 1977 and 1980 we witnessed firsthand the Red Cross as first responders in disaster relief efforts. Since 1881, when the organization was founded by Clara Barton and her cohorts, it has provided invaluable service to the nation in times of war and peace. 

Its major contributions are in offering relief and serving as a communication channel between members of the American military services and their families and providing disaster relief both domestically and internationally. Its civilian blood program is also a much-welcomed service.

While the effects of Hurricane Ike have taken a heavy toll along the Gulf Coast, the evacuation efforts associated with Hurricane Gustav cost the Red Cross millions in helping to shelter victims. Since it relies heavily on voluntary donations, the American Red Cross needs all the help it can get.

The Sedalia office, at 112 W. Fourth St., is headed by Valerie Swanson. If you would like to help the victims of the recent disasters, that’s a good place to start.