The Missouri State University (MSU) Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Gerontology announces the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. This juried fine arts exhibition allows visual artists aged 60 or older to submit up to two original entries completed in the last three years. Jurors select the pieces that will appear in the exhibit, and they select the awards that are presented at the opening reception. After the jurying process, the selected pieces are hung on the 4th and 5th Floor walls by a team of volunteers. Most art may be purchased.
Because of another Juanita K. Hammons Hall event that had to be rescheduled to Monday, March 9, art drop off for the Senior Art Exhibit is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 from 9-noon in the lobby of Juanita K. Hammons Hall. The opening reception for the 2026 exhibition remains scheduled on Thursday, March 12, 2026 (6:30-8 p.m., with awards at 7 p.m.) on the 5th floor of Juanita K. Hammons Hall.
This year, artists are being offered the option to submit their information online before dropping off their piece(s). You can access that registration here. If you do not wish to register online, there will also be paper registration forms available at the drop off location in the lobby of Juanita K. Hammons on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 9-noon.
In addition to awards presentations, the reception includes refreshments and a performance of ten songs by Theatre North of 60, a social organization composed of local actors and singers who are primarily aged 60 and over. Earlier this year, that group presented the musical “Annie” at National Avenue Christian Church in September, and they also performed at
the Gillioz Theatre in October. The cornerstones of Theatre North of 60 are community building, advocating for accessibility, visibility, and performance opportunities.
The exhibition is being organized this year by Dr. Maureen Templeton, Associate Professor in the Gerontology Program, and Diane Denton, an instructor who teaches Intergenerational Artistic Expression through a collaboration with Gerontology and the Art and Design Department at MSU. “It is important for artists of all ages to feel seen,” Denton said. For some artists, this annual event is a tradition that they participate in each year, but for many others, this may be the first opportunity to display art in an exhibition. Denton explained that the Exhibition “creates a community in which these artists can tell their story.”
Questions may be directed to Diane Denton at gerontology@missouristate.edu. or (417) 399-8520.
29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition