FAYETTE, Mo. – A special exhibition of art produced by alumni of Central
Methodist College was featured this fall (2001) at the Ashby-Hodge
Gallery of American art.
"Art From the Alumni," featuring paintings and pieces of sculpture by
former CMC students, opened Aug. 28 and continued through Oct. 7. A
reception for some of the artists was held from Oct. 7, in the gallery.
The Ashby-Hodge Gallery exhibition showcased art produced by CMC alumni
during the past 109 years. More than 60 works from 43 artists were on
display. The earliest piece dated to an 1892 graduate of Howard-Payne
College (merged with Central after the turn of the century) and the most
recent work dated to a 2000 graduate.
Also included in the exhibition were a series of cultural arts printed
programs by well-known performing artists going back to the mid-1930s.
Each carries the personal signature, an autograph, by the artist. These
include a Carnegie Hall program signed by soprano Montserrat Caballe,
for the 1886-87 season; a program for pianist Josef Lhevinne, who
performed at Central College (CMC) on March 7, 1939; and a program for
famous dancer and choreographer Martha Graham and her dance group, which
performed at Central College on April 1, 1938. The programs are from the
autographed collection of CMC alumni Nelson Clingenpeel of Woodbury,
Conn.
