Teresa Dirks is a native of Dunklin County and grew up in Kennett and Malden. She first began to study art in the 1980s, focusing her efforts on photography. Her artistic progression led her to abstract painting, collage and hand-made paper. During this time she also raised two sons on the family farm in Stoddard County where she and her husband, Dave, built their geodesic dome family home. Dirk's studio is in the dome's loft. Dirks is a 1995 graduate of Three Rivers. She also received a bachelor of arts from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree from William Woods University. She's taught fine art in the Gideon and Malden public schools, and been involved in environmental education projects throughout the Bootheel. [Click to enlarge]

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Tinnin Fine Arts Center Gallery at Three Rivers Community College is featuring the work of Southeast Missouri artist Teresa Dirks through Feb. 15.

Dirks is a native of Dunklin County and grew up in Kennett and Malden. She first began to study art in the 1980s, focusing her efforts on photography. Her artistic progression led her to abstract painting, collage and hand-made paper. During this time she also raised two sons on the family farm in Stoddard County where she and her husband, Dave, built their geodesic dome family home. Dirk's studio is in the dome's loft.

Dirks is a 1995 graduate of Three Rivers. She also received a bachelor of arts from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree from William Woods University. She's taught fine art in the Gideon and Malden public schools, and been involved in environmental education projects throughout the Bootheel.

"Good stewardship is a priority in my life and has been for many years," Dirks said. "My latest works include handmade paper, mixed media collage and acrylic painting all with emphasis on color design and abstract textures. From the environment, I devise visual qualities and inspiration. With me, color has power: Color evokes emotion, color evokes a primal urge, color evokes energy. Plugging into that power is what I do."

Dirks has been featured in a number of art shows in Southeast Missouri and in the Mid-South region. Her work was featured in a solo exhibit at the City House Salon and in the Arts Festival on the River in Memphis, Tenn., and she received an award for her work in a special exhibit in Warrensburg, Mo. Her work has been featured with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau, the Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden, and she receive first place in mixed media in November 2007 at a show at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff.

Dirks wlll be the guest of honor at an Artists Reception from 6 - 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center Gallery on the Three Rivers campus. The reception is free and the public is invited to attend.

Following the reception, the Annual Three Rivers Jazz Festival will feature the music of the Arkansas State University Jazz Band in concert in the Tinnin Center Theater. The Three Rivers Jazz Festival will include three nights of exciting jazz music, Feb. 14, 15 and 16. On Thursday, Feb. 14 the Festival will feature an evening of jazz with the Three Rivers Jazz Band under the direction of Buddy White joined by the best high school jazz bands in the region. On Saturday, Feb. 15 the Three Rivers Jazz Festival will feature a concert by the Southeast Missouri High School All-District Jazz Band. Tickets for the concert will be available in the Tinnin Center Box Office prior to the concert. For additional information on the 2008 Three Rivers Jazz Festival contact the college Music Department at 573-840-9639.

The Tinnin Center Gallery on the Three Rivers campus is open from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; the gallery is also open prior to all Tinnin Center performances. The center and gallery are handicapped accessible and open to the public at no charge. For information on the gallery or other Tinnin Center events, call (573) 840-9170.