SIDEBAR: Docents sought for exhibit

SKYE POURNAZARI/THE FORUM
Holly Kay Cronk and Nina Dewhirst look last week at the crates filled with pieces of the Voices and Votes – Democracy in America Smithsonian Exhibit at The Rose Theatre.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Rose Theatre is seeking people interested in serving as docents, or guides, for the upcoming Smithsonian exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.

The display celebrates the history of voting in the United States and the rights and responsibilities of citizens within that voting process, noted a news release.

Exhibit coordinator Nina Dewhirst told The Forum that potential docents don’t need to be experts in history or the voting process. They would be trained on the exhibit specifically and provided a script describing the exhibit.

During setup of the exhibit April 21 or April 22, when people from all over the state will be on hand to help put together the display and learn how it’s done, docents will be trained with help from Missouri Humanities staff.

Dewhirst also noted that while the exhibit will be open to the public, docents will not be left to fend for themselves. She or other exhibit coordinator Holly Kay Cronk will be on site to help provide tours or answer any questions.

According to the news release, volunteer docents are asked to serve a few hours per week for three to six weeks. Shifts would be set for three hours 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, for two four-and-a-half-hour shifts on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two four-hour shifts on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information or if interested in volunteering, contact Dewhirst at 660-582-8916 or by email at ndewhirst2004@ yahoo.com.