For the first time ever, "The Experience," hosted by Southeast MIssouri State University student Janessa Jenkins, Southeast will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri located at 16 N. Spanish St.

The mission of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is to provide a forum for residents and artists of the Southeast Missouri region to explore, experience and share in the diversity and excitement of the arts.

The theme of the show is Young Black St. Louis Talent. This show will be free to the public.

The event is an opportunity for artists within the St. Louis and Cape Girardeau communities to come together and share creative styles of urban art.

Visual artists include Shea Guy, Rage Ross, Janae Norman, Charles Brown, Tyler Harris, Nkosi Wan and Indigomoon Photography.

Poetry will performed by Law the Poet, The Oracle and Lyrical Therapy and there will be a fashion show by Black Clothing. There also will be live music by Collective Failure throughout the event.

"Everyone in the show is either someone my fiance or I am close to who have been enraptured in the black art community in St. Louis.

"These ties started leading us to more artists, which resulted in a show that everyone just wanted to be a part of and thought it was a great idea," Jenkins a Southeast graphic design student, said.

Jenkins hopes to attract a large turn-out of students and Cape Girardeau residents who will come to see the artists and will continue to support them after the show.

Jenkins sees the show as a big career move and plans to continue finding artists and performers for a similar show in St. Louis.

"I like to tell people the idea came to me like a Jimmy Neutron brain blast. I had an idea I couldn't shake so I took that as a sign that I needed to create this event," Jenkins said.

His taste in music is how Tyler Harris, an alumnus of Southeast, got the inspiration behind his collection of oil paintings, Fine as Wine, that he will be presenting at the showcase.

"Ever since I was a small child I adored the arts. I love everything art and this is a great way for me to market my skills and work outside of St. Louis," Harris said.

Purchasing an artist's work at the event provides the chance for people to support them and the event. Harris plans to sell his work at the show.

For the full story, visit SoutheastArrow.com.