This year's Community Day event promises to have more in store for everyone who attends.  In addition to the annual OTC Car and Motorcycle Show and the popular Welding Day, visitors will also find helpful demonstrations and information about a variety of subjects from landscaping to food preparation.

Community Day will be April 30 on the Springfield campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Admission and parking is free.

The car show promises to be one of the largest ever with entry categories in a variety of styles, from original cars and trucks to street rods and mods along with truck mods.  The entry fee is $12 before the show and $15 on the day of the show.  Rat Rods can be displayed for $8 but will they will not be judged.  For registration information, contact Terry Pridgeon at 447-8293 or pridgeot@otc.edu.

Visitors who need welding repairs can bring their items to the north side of the ITTC building, located near the southwest corner of Central Street and National Avenue.  Donations are being accepted in exchange for the repair work, with the money going to charity.

The annual Turf and Landscape program's Plant Sale will also take place that day, with plenty of quality flowers and vegetable plants available for purchase.  The program will conduct a water-gardening demonstration and offer lawn mower blade sharpening.  Visitors should just bring the blade, not the entire mower.

Students from the Allied Health dental program will be giving away toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss.

The OTC Fine Arts Department's songwriting students will be performing, as well as students from the guitar program.

Culinary Arts students will be an ice-carving demonstrating as well as a program on home grilling and smoking.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Steve Koehler at 447-2666.

The OTC Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the historic Gillioz Theatre complex in downtown Springfield, has a busy month ahead!  The Gallery will feature work from a variety of local printmakers, and will also serve as host for a juried high school exhibition later in the month. 

The Gallery will hold an opening reception during the First Friday ArtWalk on April 1, from 6 to 10 p.m.  This month's exhibition features artwork from printmaker Cynthia Moore, as well as a collective exhibition of prints from the "Unnamed Printmakers at the Creamery."  Refreshments will be provided.

The artwork on display from Cynthia Moore, collectively titled "The Smallest Room in the House," is a series of linoleum block prints based on scenes set in the bathroom.  The artist explained, "By focusing on one room I have sought to discover what is hidden, what is revealed, what is seen in reflection or through a veil of water. These prints are intended to evoke the memories, grace and mystery of everyday activity."

Cynthia Moore explores black and white media in printmaking, drawing, typography, collage and book arts.  Her work has been included in solo and national juried exhibits and is in the United States Information Agency's International Embassies Collection.  She teaches at Missouri State University.

The Unnamed Printmakers at the Creamery consists of a core group of about 10 artists meeting each Monday at the Creamery Arts Center, home to the Springfield Regional Arts Council.  The artists started meeting in late 2009 without any real structure, other than an intention to "show up and play."  The group has volunteered during the Creamery's Free Art Day in December 2010, and at the YMCA during First Night 2011, helping area kids and families to experiment with the art of printmaking.

Later this month, the Gallery will host the Central Ozarks Conference High School Juried Art Exhibition.  The works will be on display from Friday, April 22, through Friday, April 29; there will be a reception and awards ceremony at 4 p.m. on April 29.  Participating high schools include Logan Rogersville, Bolivar, Buffalo, Springfield Catholic, Hollister, Marshfield, and Reeds Spring. 

The Gallery's hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.  For more information contact Kat Allie by calling (417) 447-8977, or by emailing alliek@otc.edu  or finearts@otc.edu .

(Pictured: a piece from Cynthia Moore's collection.) 

Describe what you do in 50 words or less.

I plan curriculum, teach, and evaluate our theatre courses and programs.  I direct OTC's theatre production each spring at the Gillioz Theatre.  I also serve students with academic advising.

How long have you been at OTC, and where were you immediately prior? 

This is my fourth year at OTC.  Prior to this, I was a graduate student at Missouri State.  Prior to that, I worked in Cleveland and Los Angeles as an actor, director, teacher, bike messenger, office temp, and many other things.   

What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year?

Some important goals are 1) to recruit more students to our growing program; 2) to create a dramatist's lab in which student playwrights, actors, directors, and designers will create original new plays for production; 3) increasing theatre productions to two or more per year (one being a musical); and 4) fostering a relationship between the Fine Arts Department and Electronic Media Production.

What is your favorite thing about working at OTC? 

I like the community.  Ever since I came on board, I have felt valued - not just as a worker, but as an OTC family member.  Also, I feel that OTC shares my personal mission - to inspire, and to be inspired by our students each day.  I am humbled and honored to work for such a dynamic institution.

What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks?

This region has some of the most topographically diverse land in our nation, right in the middle of our country.  As someone who likes to travel, this makes the Ozarks a good place to call home base.  Aside from that, there is a great mixture of Ozark folk heritage and contemporary progressiveness, making this region rich with cultural texture.  In short, this area is much more diverse than many people give it credit for.   

Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice. 

How about three?  My mentors Suzanne Burgoyne and Clyde Ruffin (University of Missouri-Columbia) taught me that theatre has an intrinsic relationship to society, and that we theatre artists have a grave responsibility to that relationship.  They taught me that we are more than merely scholars or practitioners of theatre.  We are both.  They taught me that theatre is more than an amusement or entertainment.  It is also a social guide and can even change the world.  And my mentor David Donkor who inspired my passion in performance studies.

What do you have on the walls of your office?

Posters of OTC's past productions, art work from my son Henry and from past students, my Master's Degree certificate, a poster about gender inequality, some of Jerry Uelsmann's photography from an old calendar, last year's calendar, and a San Damiano crucifix (a replica of the one that spoke to St. Francis of Asisi).

If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be?

Bobby McFerrin, Anna Deavere Smith, and Jesus (the Christ).   

If you were to write a book, what would it be about?

Well, I am actually in the process of writing a collection of short plays based on true stories from the Ozarks during the Civil War.

What were the last three songs played on your iPod (or what was the last music you listened to)?

"Broken Boy Soldier," by the Raconteurs, "Mothers of the Disappeared" by U2, and "Jigsaw Falling into Place" by Radiohead.

• The April Professional Development Schedule is now available.  To view the seminars, online programs, webinars and more that are available this month, click here and select the PDF for April 2011.     

• The OTC Fine Arts Department's spring production, Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," is scheduled for Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1, and for Saturday, May 7.  Performances will be held at the historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield.  Tickets for this timeless play are FREE to students and employees of OTC!  Get your tickets at the Student Help Desk in the Information Commons Atrium in Springfield, the Student Services offices at the Richwood Valley campus, and at the administrative offices at the Branson, Lebanon and Waynesville Education Centers.

• The SGA-sponsored Spring Picnics are coming up!  Be sure to come out for free food, games, music, prizes and more.  The picnics will be held on the following dates:   

Springfield - Fri., April 29

Richwood Valley - Thu.,  

April 28

Branson - Wed., April 27

Lebanon - Tue., April 12

Waynesville - Thu., April 21 

(For times and exact locations of each picnic, check the campus calendar.) 

• A message from Practical Nursing Instructor Pam Carpenter, following the loss of her family member, Aileen Witt: "Thank you so much for your kind expression.  I truly appreciate the sincere kindness of my OTC family."

• A message from Secretary for Institutional Advancement Kristin Farish and Adjunct History Instructor Neil Pittman following the passing of Pittman's mother (Farish's grandmother):  "Thank you to the OTC Family for the kindness you showed following the loss of our mother and grandmother."  

• April 11:  Star Trek Live, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.  Mad Science Productions presents a show filled with cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction, and on-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock. For ticket information, call 836-7678 or visit www.hammonshall.com.  

• April 15-16:  Rock'n Ribs BBQ Festival, Bass Pro Shops.  Celebrate at the Rotary Clubs' 12th annual festival featuring BBQ cooking teams from across the country.  Enjoy live entertainment, children's activities and much more.  For details, call 887-7334 or check out www.rocknribs.com.  

• April 16-24:  Fee-Free Days at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.  The National Park Service is waiving admission fees periodically throughout 2011 to encourage all Americans to visit a national park this year.  Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about our local Civil War history at Wilson's Creek.  For more information, call 732-2662.

• April 23:  Party for the Planet and Enrichment EGGstravaganza, Dickerson Park Zoo.  come celebrate Earth Day with green activities, and see the animals "hunt" for Easter eggs!  For park hours and admission prices, call 833-1570 or check out www.dickersonparkzoo.org.  

• April 29-30:  Monty Python's "Spamalot," Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.  This hilarious musical has been a hit on Broadway - now is your chance to see it right here in Springfield!  For show times and ticket information, call 836-7678 or visit  www.hammonshall.com.  

• April 30:  Spring Dollar Day and St. John's Teddy Bear Rally, Dickerson Park Zoo.  Admission is just one dollar!  Enjoy special bear-themed and health-related activities and booths sponsored by St. John's Children's Hospital from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, call 833-1570 or see  www.dickersonparkzoo.org. 

• April 30:  13th Annual Community Wide Play Day, Fassnight Park, Springfield.  Bring the family to this fun and free event, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Kids ages 0-12 will enjoy positive, interactive activities - and every child receives a free book!  For more information, call 888-2020 or visit  www.commpartnership.org.