The new kid on the St. Louis cultural block, Maturity and its Muse, is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to promote positive productive aging through the arts. It’s the brainchild of Lynn Hamilton, who explained, “The art of creativity, in its many manifestations, is one of the most important ways for adults later in life to enhance their physical health, enrich relationships and strengthen morale…Goals for each of the events and programs that Maturity and its Muse will present include developing innovative, stimulating and progressive programs in visual arts, music, dance and literature geared to the mature participant.”

Maturity and its Muse’s inaugural event will open Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 with a reception at the Nancy Spirtas Kranzberg Gallery of the Sheldon Art Galleries. This invitational exhibition, which will be on display through Feb. 12, 2011 is to feature work in all media by more than 30 St. Louis-area artists over 70 years of age. Coordinated by Hamilton, with the support of the Center for Aging at Washington University, the exhibit will feature weekly docent-led tours as well as on site workshops, panel discussions lunch and lectures. Accompanying the exhibit will be a 64-page full-color catalog featuring one work by each artist along with essays and interviews that examine the creative process of the community’s age 70-plus professional visual artists.

Lynn Hamilton, who some you know as Lynn Friedman or Lynn Plotkin, is ecstatic about this opportunity to foster understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and the quality of life for older people. She said that Maturity and its Muse has been invited to participate in the American Arts Experience-St. Louis, a new 17-day arts festival in October showcasing American dancers, playwrights, composers and musicians at the region’s concert halls, theaters, museums and galleries. To learn more about Maturity and its Muse call Lynn at 314-420-1444 or visit her online at [email protected].

BARBARA SHUMAN, one of my favorite people and a member of the St Louis Press Club, is touting Face the Nation — Tricks of the Trade, a fundraiser for the club’s Walter Cronkite Journalism Scholarship. I can’t imagine that journalists like Martin Duggan or Dick Weiss would attend, but for women it is an irresistible opportunity to learn beauty tips, create a flawless face, sip mimosas, munch on brunch bites and take home a special Neiman Marcus gift bag. The date is Saturday, March 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Neiman Marcus and the cost is $50 per person, which is all tax deductible. All proceeds from the event will benefit the scholarship fund for underserved students.

You may reserve your place for Face the Nation at www.stlpressclub.org or send your check to P.O. Box 410522, Creve Coeur, Mo. 63141.

THE SHIRLEEWOOD ACADEMY AWARDS GALA will not rival the Oscars but will include the huge televised awards ceremony at its big event on Sunday evening, March 7 at J. Bucks restaurant in Clayton. This is a fundraiser for Shaare Emeth’s Shirlee Green Preschool hosted by the school’s Parent’s Advisory Council. The preschool, over 45 years old, has provided the youngest in the community the opportunity to learn Jewish values and customs in the school’s play-based environment. With a faculty of nearly 30 professionals committed to creating a safe and loving atmosphere as well as self image, the kids learn to appreciate real life situations as they interact, communicate, make choices, problem solve and grow.

“No, there will not be any Shirleewood awards, but we will have a silent auction, raffle, live auction and dinner and maybe even Joe Buck,” Chair April Bloom said. Tickets are $40 before Feb. 15 and $50 after the deadline. For reservations call the preschool at 314-569-0048 or email April at [email protected].

BEETHOVENAHOLICS can get their fill of the great composer’s early works on Saturday, Feb. 20 when the Arianna String Quartet presents REVOLUTION! Beethoven’s complete Op. 18 quartets. This unusual concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Touhill Performing Arts Center’s E. Desmond & Mary Ann Lee Theater on the campus of the University of Missouri St. Louis. The Arianna Quartet is recognized as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. Be forewarned, this will be a long concert with two intermissions but also with hors d’oeuvres and wine and the artists will offer some insight about the composer. Tickets at $42 for this epic evening are available online at www.touhill.org or by phone at 314-516-4949.