The Rumjahn Gallery is hosting an art show by Stephanie Christian and Joanne Scott Massey.  The opening reception is this Friday, October 26 from 5-8 pm.  The public is invited to stop by the reception for a glass of wine and to enjoy some great art.    The show can also be viewed during business hours until November 12. The Rumjahn Gallery is located at 310 Main St. in Downtown Evansville.

Stephanie Christian began her education at Western Kentucky University with a major in Interior Design.  After moving to Nashville in the late 1980’s, she switched her major to Studio Art at Belmont University.  Her work has touched on many media- from wood sculpture, to charcoal, to mixed media before to evolving to her current focus.

Stephanie is an award winning Landscape painter.  She creates moody, textured scenes with a dream like quality.  Her work would remind one of some of the old masters works, but in a modern way.  To the viewer there is familiarness with the scenes as if there is a memory associated with each painting.  The color palate for her paintings is dark and moody with breathtaking illumination.  Stephanie captures mystery and  great depth, intriguing the viewer with a feeling of the scenes being lost in time.

Joanne Scott Massey is considered a floral painter by most.  When viewing one of her flowers, you suddenly notice that you are paying attention to things that are usually overlooked.  She draws you into the smallest details by blowing up and illuminating them.  Her florals have a gracefulness that makes one feel like they are swaying in the wind.

Joanne has created a new body of work for this exhibit which showcases her flowers and introduces new subject matter that will intrigue you.

The new interest is in painting fish.  Joanne handles this much the same way that she does her florals.  You will be drawn in with an experience of noticing details in an up close and intimate way.  After you see one, her style will be familiar to you.  In some of these paintings, she created compositions that include both fish and flowers which are very interesting and take on a modern style.  You will have the feeling that you are spying on the fish in some of these paintings.

St. Vincent Center for Children and the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions are helping to educate individuals about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by inviting students, healthcare professionals  and community members to the 4^th annual ASD Conference on October 26. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Evansville DoubleTree by Hilton, 601 Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47708.

The ASD conference will provide education through a series of expert speaker sessions, personal testimony and a panel discussion. The following topics will be explored:

Creative and innovative ways to use a child’s perseverations to achieve success

• The struggles and possibilities of living with autism
• The importance of the 10 unwritten social rules for those on the spectrum
• Teaching Self-Control to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Visit the conference website to register. The cost is $20 per person and $95 per person for professionals seeking CEUs. Healthcare professionals will receive six CEUs upon completion of the conference. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees.

For more information about group rates and registration fee scholarships, contact Brad Gant at 812-485-4616 or bradley.gant@ascension.org.

Youth First, Inc. honored former Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation educator and administrator Steve Fritz at its 11^th Annual Breakfast of Champions event on Tuesday, October 23rd at St. Vincent Manor in Evansville.

Fritz received the Dr. William Wooten Champion of Youth First Award at the event, sponsored by German American.  With over 300 attendees, the organization celebrated its hundreds of donors, supporters and volunteers in addition to recognizing Fritz.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke proclaimed October 23rd, 2018, as “Steve Fritz, Champion of Youth First Day.”

Through his 35-year career with the EVSC and tireless passion for helping young people thrive, Steve has impacted thousands of lives. The students he taught, the players he coached, and the teachers he mentored all credit him with contributing to their success.  As a founding Youth First Board Member, Steve has championed the continued growth and success of the organization for the past 20 years.

Proud to have been born and raised in Evansville, Steve is a graduate of North High School, the University of Evansville and Indiana State University. In addition to his involvement with Youth First, Steve was also profoundly impacted by his involvement with YMCA’s Camp Carson, where he served as a camp counselor and continues today as a Board member.

Breakfast of Champions attendees enjoyed remarks from EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith, YMCA of Southwestern Indiana CEO Derrick Stewart, Youth First President & CEO Parri O. Black and Founder Dr. William Wooten, as well as friends and family of Fritz.