Native American symbol painting Oct. 18 at Van Meter park

The fifth of nine American Indian symbols to be painted for a permanent exhibit will be completed Saturday, Oct. 18, at Van Meter State Park.

Artist Sue Bellmard, from the Kaw Nation, will start the painting at 10 a.m. She will be working throughout the day, so progress can be viewed at different stages.

Bellmard is executive secretary to chairman CEO of the tribe. She is a charcoal and pastel artist, but will be working in acrylics to paint the Kaw symbol.

Sponsored by Missouri Department of Resources, this event is free and open to the public.

From October to April, Missouri's American Indian Cultural Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Van Meter State Park is located 12 miles northwest of Marshall on Highway 122.

For more information, contact the park at 660-886-7537.