Heide Messing

SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK: Women populate sculptor Heide Messing's world, women and children. The Montreal-area artist documents the many roles of women in contemporary society, including business professionals, mothers, romantics and free spirits. Messing also delights in childhood, showing kids at play and in awe of the world that surrounds them. Messing sculpts in both bronze and stone. You may see her monumental pieces in outdoor settings near Montreal, and she displays her smaller works in galleries and exhibitions in the Canada, the U.S., Japan and Europe. Although she enjoys attending art shows featuring her work throughout the world, the inspiration for her art originates closer to home. Her sculptures often depict people bundled up, ready to brave the chill of a Canadian winter. Her mother/daughter sculptures allow her to work through some painful issues found in her own family life. "Spotlight" airs on Mountain Lake Journal Extra this Thursday at 8pm on Mountain Lake PBS. Repeats include Friday at 6m and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 6am and 10:30am.

Plattsburgh Students Take Center Stage

SPOTLIGHT: A month ago, 35 choral students from Plattsburgh, New York never dreamed they would sing at a major concert venue before an audience of 10 thousand people, but Mountain Lake PBS helped make this unlikely scenario a reality. The adventure began when Andre Rieu, nationally renowned violinist and orchestra conductor, needed 35 local kids to back up one of his singers during a concert at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Mountain Lake PBS called Plattsburgh choral directors, who chose 35 talented kids to appear in the show. The students had three weeks to rehearse, and were thrilled to receive a standing ovation. More surprises awaited them the night of their performance. You can experience the elation with them during an in-depth "Spotlight" segment this week. The piece also features my third exclusive interview with Andre Rieu.

Watch "Spotlight" on Mountain Lake Journal Extra. Airdates: Thursday at 8:30pm, Friday at 6am and 12:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 6am and 10:30am on Mountain Lake PBS.