Gerontology Program at Missouri State University

05/06/2026

Check out the featured story on the MSU Gerontology Program in the Reynolds College Blog:

Students find meaning and joy with careers that assist aging populations.

04/07/2026

🎉 Let’s meet the Best of Show winner from this year’s exhibition!

Meet Ron Reese, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Ron is from Marshfield, Missouri, and his pieces are “Crawford Tire Shop” and “Eight Yellow Roses” (not pictured). His piece “Crawford Tire Shop” was awarded Best of Show in this year’s exhibition.

“Crawford Tire Shop” was inspired by a local business that he feels represents “old school” values of trustworthiness, honesty, and dependability. His second piece, “Eight Yellow Roses,” was created as an expression of his affection for the people who commissioned it. Ron shares that he makes art both to continue building his skills and to express his ideas and feelings.

Tomorrow is the last day to experience the full exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open 10 AM–5 PM)! 🎨

04/07/2026

Meet James Lewis, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

James is from Ozark, Missouri, and his piece is “In the Deep” (woodburn). His second piece, “Going Home” (graphite drawing), is not shown here, but it was awarded the Sanders Memorial Award in this year’s exhibition! 🤩

James shares that he makes art because he loves it.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/06/2026

Meet Helen Long, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Helen is from Branson, Missouri, and her pieces are “Palette Splash” and “Dogwood Canyon” (both watercolor paintings). Her piece “Dogwood Canyon,” inspired by spring, was awarded the Dr. Bradley Fisher Founder’s Award in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

Helen shares that she has been making art most of her life.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/06/2026

Meet Dorothy Harsen, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Dorothy is from Springfield, Missouri, and her pieces are “Big Sky Country” (acrylic painting) and “A Satisfied Life” (graphite drawing). Her piece “A Satisfied Life” was awarded the Gerontology Student Award for Representations of Later Life in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

“Big Sky Country” was inspired by Dorothy's desire to learn how to paint clouds, and “A Satisfied Life” reflects her contentment with her life in retirement. Dorothy shares that she makes art to keep her mind sharp by learning something new.

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/05/2026

Meet Andi Snethern, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Andi is from Springfield, Missouri, and her pieces are “Golden Whispers” and “Echoes on the Wharf” (both watercolor paintings).

“Golden Whispers” was inspired by the beautiful golden flowers and the shadows on the wall, and it was awarded a Juror's Choice Award in this year's exhibition. 🤩 “Echoes on the Wharf” was inspired by a vacation photo from Juneau, Alaska.

Andi shares that she makes art because it is her passion - it’s relaxing, peaceful, and she loves creating.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/05/2026

Meet Marla Rush Parnell, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Marla is from Springfield, Missouri, and her pieces are “Sleepers” (pastel painting) and “Labniappe” (pastel & gouache painting). Both pieces were selected for a Juror’s Choice award (each by a different juror) in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

“Sleepers” was inspired when her daughter posted a photo of her granddaughters sleeping, and her first thought was, “That’s a painting!” The lighting and diagonal lines inspired her to paint. “Labniappe” was inspired by a photo her cousin posted of her dog sleeping in a patterned bedspread; the contrast of the soft white dog and blanket with the paisley pattern drew her to paint him. Marla shares that she creates art to celebrate the everyday images that surround her and to bring joy to others.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/04/2026

Meet Gail Attanasio, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Gail’s pieces are “Roots & Wings” and “Standoff” (both photography). Her piece “Standoff” was awarded the Photography Award in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/04/2026

Meet Kathleen Day, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Kathleen is from Springfield, Missouri, and her pieces are “Fonthill Castle Library” (quilted fabric and book spines) and “Palace Steps” (quilted fabric), which was awarded the Fabric Art Award in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

“Fonthill Castle Library” was inspired by finding this museum online, and “Palace Steps” is based on her forever piece, where she wanted to blend cubism and Alice in Wonderland. Kathleen shares that she makes art because she must - creativity is in her bones.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece(s) in this photo, please contact Dr. Maureen Templeman at [email protected].

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨

04/04/2026

Meet Olga Cordero Kilmer, one of the talented artists who submitted artwork for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Missouri State University.

Olga is from Springfield, Missouri, and her piece is “La Bota” (ceramics). Her piece won the Three-Dimensional Art Award in this year’s exhibition. 🤩

“La Bota” reflects Olga's Latina heritage, and the boot is based on her husband’s boot that he purchased in Mexico years ago. Olga shares that she makes art to continue exploring her skills and to reflect her life.

Come experience the full exhibition, on display at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (open M–F 10 AM–5 PM and during performances) on the Missouri State University campus from now through April 8! 🎨