Sixty works from artists across Missouri are represented in a traveling exhibit to commemorate Missouri’s 200th year of statehood. Among them is a piece created by artist Fred Schollmeyer of Chamois entitled “Eat Rite Diner at Dawn,” which was until COVID-19, an iconic landmark business in St. Louis.

“My son got us tickets to a Cardinals game in the summer of 2019, and after the game, we were walking back and saw this diner,” Schollmeyer said. “I took a bunch of photos with my phone.”

That’s the start of his process in the photorealism style of painting he learned while attending college at Lincoln University. “I went back and brightened the colors a little, and made a few other adjustments.”

This diner has been painted by other artists before Schollmeyer took his turn, but he’s pleased with the result. “I typically do street scenes and this is one of my favorites,” he said.

Schollmeyer’s piece is part of the exhibit making a stop from April 9 to May 15 at the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Art Gallery located at the Center for Missouri Studies in Columbia.

Missouri Art Now, A Bicentennial Celebration is a juried exhibit that showcases the state’s dynamic visual arts culture and diversity. Artists ages 18 and older who reside in Missouri were eligible to enter the show. Among the nearly 400 entries, 60 works were chosen for the exhibition, 15 from each of four regions.

“We wanted to make sure the art represents works from each region of the state, so locale played a significant role in selecting art for this exhibition,” said Post Art Library Executive Director Jill Sullivan, who helped oversee the exhibition.

The types of work selected also vary, including acrylic and oil paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed-media, ceramics, and watercolor. Subject matter ranges from abstract to landscapes, portraiture, and more.

Sullivan sees the exhibit as a snapshot of what’s happening right now in Missouri arts during the 200th year as a state. “Missouri has had a rich history in art,” she said. “It’s also important to recognize Missouri’s strong, vibrant visual arts culture and artists today. I think it accomplishes what we set out to do for this traveling exhibit during the bicentennial.”

Schollmeyer published a book in January 2020 entitled, “Photorealism in the Heartland: The Acrylic Paintings of Fred Schollmeyer.”

During his career, he taught at all three public schools in Osage County, and after retirement, has continued to help students whenever he can. He joined the effort a few years ago to paint the anti-drug mural at Chamois.

While he enjoys traveling with his wife, Diane, to art shows across Missouri and into neighboring states, Schollmeyer has been limited due to COVID as several events were canceled.

However, this year he hopes to travel to as many as possible this summer, and his work is on display at the Adult Fine Arts show in Jefferson City and is scheduled for display at the Room for Art Gallery in Washington. He also hopes to participate in an Art in the Park event in Columbia, the Qfest in Illinois, and the Sugar Creek Art Festival in Normal, Ill.

Mainly though, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
“I don’t rely on my artwork for income,” he said. “It’s fun, and when people admire it, and I get into shows, it’s just icing on the cake.”

Schollmeyer added that it’s the creative process he most enjoys. “A professor told me once that doing commercial art is painting wings on birds and roofs on buildings,” he said, noting that only in Fine Art does the artist have complete control of their creativity. “It’s just something I enjoy, and going to these shows with my wife is special.”

Schollmeyer’s website, www.fredschollmeyer.com, has original pieces and prints for sale. A lot of his paintings are small because it makes them more practical to ship.
Following its stop in Columbia, the Bicentennial exhibit will be at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin from May 29-July 17, Hannibal Arts council in Hannibal from July 24-Sept. 4, and will finish with a run at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph from Sept. 18-Nov. 7.

Missouri Art Now, A Bicentennial Collaboration is a partnership between The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau, the Hannibal Arts Council, Hannibal, Post Art Library, and Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, and the Albrecht-Kemper Museum, Saint Joseph.

Missouri 2021 is a statewide initiative of the State Historical Society of Missouri to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities, and people. Keep updated on all Missouri 2021 happenings at missouri2021.org and by following the bicentennial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @missouri2021.