SIKESTON - You've heard about it. Maybe wondered about it. Now come and see what it's all about.
In a few weeks Artrain USA will make a four-day stop in Sikeston and organizers hope local and area residents will take advantage of the opportunity it brings.
To make it even more exciting, there is an opportunity to take a sneak peak. From 5-7 p.m. Jan. 23 a patron party will be hosted at the Depot. For $100 a couple, guests are treated to refreshments and a private tour of the Artrain, a cargo of creativity.
The Nation's only art museum on a train, Artrain USA is made of five rail cars which house a fine arts exhibition, interactive area, artist studio, gift shop and staff administrative space. It is sponsored by DaimlerChrysler.
Although there will be various opportunities for residents to go through the Artrain at no cost, those who are able to attend the patron party are encouraged to do so. Elizabeth Wilson pointed out the private tour allows for more time to look and avoids the long lines and crowds.
Invitations were sent to those who have previously shown interest in the arts but Wilson stressed everyone is welcome. The money will be used to help offset the cost of bringing the train here.
"It's more of a showing in that there won't be as many people going through," said Wilson, who's in charge of the upcoming party. "It will give you more time than when you're actually going through it because they have to schedule so many minutes per tour and I would say it's a more fast paced situation. Whereas if you're able to go more leisurely through it you can spend more time with a certain artist that you really love. We're going to offer this to the first 100 patrons. We'll just have a little cocktail buffet and then they'll be able to go through the train that evening."
For those unable to attend the reception, the Artrain will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 27.
For more information contact Elizabeth Wilson at 471-8122.
"All of us are really excited and I think the reason why is that in researching the Artrain and becoming familiar with the different artists and all that they send it's something that is really exceptional for Sikeston to be able to have the opportunity to have the Artrain here," she said. "They will send paintings by Andy Warhol and lots of artists that we probably are familiar with by name but don't have an opportunity to see their art work because it's usually kept in large museums in different parts of the country. It will be just be a fabulous educational experience for everyone."