We’d like to celebrate a few “wins” with our followers, because in the last year and a half, our organization has committed itself to living the ideas that “Art is Love in Action” and that “Everyone Belongs Under the Sun”. These are not euphemisms. They are the credos of direct action that we dedicate ourselves to day in and day out. We intentionally seek grant opportunities and sponsorship opportunities that will impact the greatest number of SEMO residents, because that is our mission. We wholeheartedly believe that the visual, literary, performing, culinary, and healing arts are the basis for sustainable, equitable prosperity across the region. When you look at data related to our eclipse initiative, you will see that our vision was ambitious and sought comprehensive impact. Simply, when you invest in us, we invest in our community. 

As technology takes a stronger foothold, community engagement becomes essential to a free society. As corporations grow larger, a thriving local economy becomes integral to maintaining a middle class. Supporting local businesses and non-profit organizations results in stronger, more connected communities that are focused on family, education, service, and wellbeing. Each one of us has something meaningful to commit. 

This is your invitation to show up. 

Volunteer. Attend. Share. Donate. Believe. These are the modes of participation. 

You are essential.  

Dr. Joni Hand - Papa John’s Pizza

Didn’t get the merchandise you wanted? Don’t worry- you can order it right here and get it ordered to your doorstep! All of this merchandise is still available for purchase so you can commemorate your Great American Eclipse experience.

Please help us thank our friends at Gorgeousware Boutique for providing a T-Shirt Takeout experience to our guests! They took pre-orders during March, printed during our Red Light Paint Night, and served Downtown Cape during the day of the eclipse.

 Friday, April 5th, 2024

South Side Farms at May Greene
1000 Ranney Avenue
South Side Farms had an opening reception at May Greene for Reflections: An Exhibition on the Black Experience. This was the first exhibition to take place at May Greene so thank you to everyone who attended! Select artwork from the 2024 Children’s Arts Festival was on display as well.

Please congratulate our Reflections award recipients, 
Best in Show: Sorry by Kaiola Sooman
Second Place: New Attitude by Renee Neal
Third Place: Billie Holiday by DeSande R
Honorable Mention: Can I Touch Your Hair? by Chayli Richardson

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
16 B N Spanish St
An artist lecture series called Learning Things Is Cool! took place before at 4:00 PM. Classical guitarist, Jesse Steele, will played a unique composition in honor of the eclipse. He also discussed his practices as a musician, shared information on important composers, and more!

5:00 - 8:00 PM: The Arts Council hosted the opening reception of the Everyone Belongs Under the Sun eclipse exhibition in the main gallery. There was also artwork celebrating Autism Awareness Month in the Micro Galleries. The resident Visual Arts Cooperative Artists had all new artwork on display and available for purchase in their gallery as well. Jesse Steele provided live music throughout the night following his artist lecture.

Please congratulate our Everyone Belongs Under the Sun award recipients, 
Best in Show: Sun Spot by Bryan Bethel 
Second Place: Phase by Gabe Drueke
Third Place: Total Solar Eclipse by Dave Warren
Honorable Mention: Sun Mandala by Helen Towner

CoNEXTion
402 S Sprigg St
Mike Mills from The Gallery of Inspiration hosted a FREE collaborative project with tweens, teens, and young adults! Participants created an Everyone Belongs Under the Sun graffiti mural!

Artistically Ever After
16 A N Spanish St
Guests shopped for extended hours and kids were able to participate in a FREE eclipse themed hanging planter art project!

Yoga East Healing Arts
835 Broadway St, Suite 100
Hosted a FREE yoga class!

Painted Wren Art Gallery
620 Whitelaw Ave
Had extended shopping hours!

Board & Brush
20 N Main St
Hosted a special Make & Take workshop with eclipse projects! Check out their site for other project workshops.

The Well by Girly Nature
827 Broadway St
Offered extended hours and hosted a DIY bug repellent lotion bar!

Riverside Pottery Studio
121 S Main St
Opened their Under the Sun exhibition!

The Green Lady's Hermitage
111 N Main St
Hosted a FREE event with local artist, Jadzia Naida-Black. Jadzia is an international transplant from Italy. She worked for Disney Animation for many years and contributed to many of our favorite films. Fate brought her to Southeast Missouri, and here she continues to create in many ways.

Jadzia showcased her original collection of Moon Cards. Each card depicts the moon in one of its phases and tells of how we may harness the Moon's energy to live closer to the rhythm of nature. Jadzia conducted intuitive readings with her cards throughout the event. Decks of cards were available for purchase.

An Eclipse inspired tea blend featuring Black Tea and Jasmine was served.

Spanish Street Mercantile & Reclaimed Vintage Market
26 N Spanish St
Offered extended shopping hours and a new art exhibition upstairs!

Ebb & Flow Fermentations
11 S Spanish St
A Zac Nelson Art installation was on display, live music with Jason Heeter, and Blueberry Buckle de Funk (sour ale) and Retrophobia (porter) were released!

Spectrum Record Lounge
113 Broadway St
Spectrum couldn't think of a better act to have to kick off the eclipse weekend than local post-punk legend Gary Robert! Providing direct support were St. Louis garage rockers, The Bitter Ends.

Scout Hall
420 Broadway St
In the first of a new series, Scout Hall looked at live music in a new light as accomplished, globe-trotting musicians took the stage to pay a stringed tribute to The Starman- David Bowie. Sophia Han was joined by St. Louis Chamber Soloists Victoria Voumard, Ranya Iqbal, and Carolina Neves. Guests embarked on a cosmic journey with an original arrangement penned just for the performance.

Saturday, April 6th, 2023: Constellation Crawl Eclipse Kick-Off

The Unitum 573 constellation was discovered just in time for the Great American Eclipse! The stars of the constellation include,

1. South Side Farms
2. May Greene
3. Riverside Pottery Studio
4. The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
5. Ebb & Flow Fermentations
6. Spectrum Record Lounge
7. Scout Hall

These individual stars had exciting events during the weekend before the eclipse but they all came together as a constellation to remind us that:

EVERYONE BELONGS UNDER THE SUN.

Workshops & Openings

Star 1: South Side Farms
900 S West End Blvd
Bee keeping workshop with Flower Boys Brand supported by bee hotel creations with Artistically Ever After

Star 2: May Greene
1000 Ranney Ave
Viewing of Reflections exhibition

Constellation Crawl

Star 3: Riverside Pottery Studio
121 S Main St
Demonstration by Rob Lorenz on the throwing and construction of Korean moon jars and a Pottery Wheel Experience. Participants tried their hand (with assistance) at creating their own art on the pottery wheel. For those not interested in throwing, they hand built a magnet keepsake.

Star 4: The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
16 B N Spanish St
During an eclipse, our perception of light is temporarily skewed. What should be day seems like night and we feel as though we are in an alternate reality. Guests played with light in relation to art during the Arts Council’s Red Light Paint Night! Gallery lighting was altered to be red. With no other light source, artists weren’t able to discern what colors were on their paint palettes!

While the eclipse was an exciting event, April is also Autism Awareness Month! Local artist and comedian with autism, Thomas Shaner, joined the party for a special re-release of his comic book, The Adventures of Pizza Dog! Speaking of pizza- guests enjoyed a pizza party provided by Papa John’s!

Live music was performed by classical guitarist Jesse Steele throughout the event as well sound baths by Savitri Atma Kaur.

Friends at Gorgeousware Boutique also created custom eclipse tees in studio for a T-Shirt Takeout experience.

Star 5: Ebb & Flow Fermentations
11 S Spanish St
Art installation by Zac Nelson and music by Snowbird Street Band and Katt Holiday.

Star 6: Spectrum Record Lounge
113 Broadway St
Love a little metal music after dinner? Then the FISTER and DayWaster Block Out The Sun show was perfect for you!

Star 7: Scout Hall
420 Broadway St
Live music by FEEL! FEEL is an independent Rock band from St. Louis known for their dynamic sound that pays homage to the Classic Rock era while adding a modern twist. With influences ranging from 70’s British Rock to Laurel Canyon to mid-century jazz, FEEL has garnered attention for their high-energy performances and captivating songwriting.

On Monday, April 8th, guests joined us at South Side Farms to celebrate our motto, Everyone Belongs Under the Sun! The day was filled with art projects, sound baths, live music, and art installations, all taking place at a perfect viewing area for the 2024 Great American Eclipse! Could the weather have been any more perfect?

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted artwork for Everyone Belongs Under the Sun and Reflections! The opening exhibitions were wonderful and we are grateful to have worked with so many amazing artists.

Reflections Award Recipients
Best in Show: Sorry by Kaiola Sooman
Second Place: New Attitude by Renee Neal
Third Place: Billie Holiday by DeSande R
Honorable Mention: Can I Touch Your Hair? by Chayli Richardson

Everyone Belongs Under the Sun Award Recipients
Best in Show: Sun Spot by Bryan Bethel 
Second Place: Phase by Gabe Drueke
Third Place: Total Solar Eclipse by Dave Warren
Honorable Mention: Sun Mandala by Helen Towner