The exhibit features a wide range of selections from the Museum's permanent collection, including drawings, paintings and prints from a variety of cultures; wooden objects and statues; functional masks such as gas masks and for sports such as hockey and fencing; Japanese theater masks; and African and Native American ceremonial masks. The exhibit is on display through Aug. 9.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Museum is holding a summer workshop July 13 and 27 for youths who will enter grades 4-6 this fall. The workshop is titled "Masks and Faces: Making Faces with Art." This workshop will begin in the Museum galleries, where children will see the Museum's temporary exhibit, and they will make their own masks to take home.

The Museum also will offer a second interactive experience for youth this summer called "Ways of the Past: Native American Tools and Weapons." In this workshop, also scheduled for July 13 and 27 and for youths entering grades 4-6 in the fall, children will see examples of Native American tools and weapons in the Museum's Beckwith Collection and then use reproductions of those objects. They will get to try their hands at a bow and arrow, an atlatl (spear-thrower), a blow gun and a pump drill. They also will finger-weave a bracelet to take home.

"Both workshops are interactive experiences that begin in the Museum galleries," said Andrea Morrill, curator of education. "Children will have fun looking and talking about art and artifacts and will participate in a variety of activities that encourage creative thinking."

The schedule for the workshops is as follows:

July 13

10:30 a.m.-noon: Masks and Faces: Making Faces with Art

1-2:30 p.m.: Ways of the Past: Native American Tools and Weapons

July 27

10:30 a.m.-noon: Ways of the Past: Native American Tools and Weapons

1-2:30 p.m.: Masks and Faces: Making Faces with Art

Cost of the workshops is $5 per person per workshop. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants, and advance registration is required. To hold a spot, send a check payable to the Southeast Missouri University Museum. For more information or to register, call (573) 651-2260.

University Museum hours are 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Museum is open from noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.