SIKESTON — The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation, or DAEOC, will unveil a new era of community engagement as its regional community and cultural center, Malone Park Center for the Arts, officially opens Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The new Center, located at 132 W. Center St. in Historic Downtown Sikeston, will also begin its first-ever course: “Learning the Elements of Painting.” Starting Dec. 12, the eight-week group course for adults will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Center. Participants in the course will learn from local artists Lynn Lancaster and Cleda Curtis.

DAEOC received $1,089,295 in funds in March to transform a vacant downtown Sikeston building into a regional community and cultural center.

The $2.2 million-center was designed to provide residents of its six-county service area with individual and family-oriented activities as well as age-appropriate educational and recreational growth opportunities. 

According to Joey Hayes, director of the Malone Park Center for the Arts, programming will include: music educational production and recording; photography and visual arts training, seminars and exhibits; dance, theater and performing arts programs and performances; and academic tutoring.

Joel Evans, CEO of DAEOC, said the idea for the project came from DAEOC Board Chairman Mike Marshall, who is a music fan and a firm believer in the talent that exists among the community’s youth. 

“Mike is very much a music enthusiast and was interested that all kids, regardless of income levels, have the opportunity to learn music and envisioned a center,” Evans said. 

Evans said his belief in making fine arts more accessible to all expanded the scope of the project, resulting in the formation of the academy of art center.

“We will have painting and drawing and voice and instrument lessons of all types, both group and individual,” Evans said. 

According to Evans, they hope to collaborate with homeschooling groups and smaller private schools so that students can come over during the day. Evans said they also plan to have after school programs for all children in the future.

“We are really excited about this project because it’s looking at the quality of life,” Hayes said. 

Evans agreed.

“Not only quality of life — but quality of place, and giving people of all ages the opportunity to have programming that you normally might only be able to find in a bigger city,” Evans said.

Evans said the Malone Park Center for the Arts building will continue to be renovated in stages over the next year in order to continue offering classes.

He also mentioned a guitar and piano class will begin after Jan. 1, 2024.

The registration fee for the “Learning the Elements of Painting” course is $80 and includes all necessary supplies. Call 573-931-8400 to register.