The University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of UMSL faculty member Jim Widner, rehearses a number in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center’s Lee Theater the afternoon of April 6 as a group of special guests looks on.

Earlier in the day, each of the campus visitors was the recipient of a Creative Achievement in the Arts award as UMSL honored a total of 30 area high school juniors for their accomplishments in music, drama and visual art.

Following lunch in the Millennium Student Center, the young artists headed to the Touhill for several activities. In addition to the jazz practice session, they enjoyed an in-depth look at a unique comic book collection and a discussion of theater costumes with faculty members in the School of Fine and Performing Arts.

This campus photograph was taken by UMSL photographer August Jennewein and is the latest to be featured in Eye on UMSL.