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Proposed MHS glass art program to get boost from benefit dinner April 4

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
By ERIC CRUMP/Editor
(Photo)
Marshall High School art teacher and glass artist Shawn Harris displays a number of examples of glass art during a July 2008 interview. Harris hopes to make glass art a part of MHS's art programs and is raising money to pay for construction of a studio and support of a future program.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Two startup endeavors will attempt to give each other a boost Saturday, April 4.

Liz Huff, who has taken over as manager and chef of the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock, has been working for three months to revamp the menu and the ambiance of the historic establishment in preparation for the season opening Easter Sunday. But before the tavern's official opening, she will host "The Fine Art of Dining," a dinner and art auction benefit for the proposed glass art program at Marshall High School.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. A silent art auction will begin at 8:15 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 8:30 p.m.

(Photo)
MHS student Kelsey Hopkins shows the Marshall school board a bowl she created during a field trip to learn about glass art. Hopkins and Jacob Kerksiek told the board about their experiences on the field trip at the board's November 2008 meeting.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
All proceeds will benefit the MHS glass art program.

MHS art teacher Shawn Harris, announcing the benefit event at the November 2008 meeting of the Marshall school board, said he hoped the event would raise between $10,000 and $15,000 for the program.

Artwork up for auction has been donated by a number of artists from the region, including works of glass art by

Harris and by artists who have visited MHS in recent years.

For tickets, call 660-886-2244, extension 228. Tickets are $60 each and a limited number are available.

Harris has been lobbying for the creation of a glass art studio and development of a glass art program since he first presented the idea to the school board in April 2007.

He has gotten moral support from the school board but no funding from the district.

Harris has taken students, teachers, administrators and board members on field trips to a professional glass art studio in Springfield. One of those who made the trip, board member Kathy Green, is a strong supporter of the project.

Harris vowed to raise the money needed to get the project going and, as of November, had more than $50,000 in pledges. About a quarter of that has been placed in the project's account.

  

The Marshall Public Education Foundation is handling the money for the project, Harris said.

If the program is created, it would be the first glass art program at the high school level in Missouri, according to Harris, giving Marshall status as a pioneer in the state. There are glass programs at high schools elsewhere in the country, he said.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

Related stories:
Glass program update (video):
www.marshallnews.com/story/1487762.html
Glass art program proposal could bring 'a dance of light' to Marshall High School students:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1449547.html
New glass-blowing program gets nod:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1407137.html

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That would be great. I would definitely sign up for that class. YeeHaw, I'm the same way. I would never buy the supplies because I worry anything I make myself with no guidance would come out an ugly blob, but with an instructor who has experience, I would have more confidence.

-- Posted by speedfingers on Wed, Apr 1, 2009, at 10:59 AM

Sounds like a project the Marshall Booster Club should get behind.

Mr Harris I hope you get this done I think it is a great idea.

-- Posted by Gal66 on Wed, Apr 1, 2009, at 7:14 AM

When I first spoke with Mr. Harris regarding the glass blowing class at the high school, he had hopes of offering an Adult education class through the Career Center. If everything gets approved, you might have your chance to take that course. I think it would be fun.

-- Posted by writerintraining on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 10:26 PM

I wish we had glass blowing when I was in school. I'd even enjoy taking a class on it now.

-- Posted by speedfingers on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 4:20 PM

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