"Dragon", mixed media by Rhett Johnson

"Car Hauler (9 cars)", pop art by Ron Mosbaugh

"Cigarette Lighter", mixed media by Scott Murray

"Some Maintenance Required", mixed media by Michele DeSutter

"Yes we have a banana", mixed media by Judy Onofrio

"Klingon Necklace", gas line, machine parts by Marv Dahman

"Room #14" Rooms of the Mind Series, mixed media by Roger Hines

The George A. Spiva Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the opening of A Confederacy of Objects: Art from Odds and Ends in the Main Gallery, and Variations on a 3--D Theme in the Regional Focus Gallery. Both exhibits open to the public Saturday, February 28, and run through Sunday, April 4.

A Confederacy of Objects: Art from Odds and Ends features assemblages by sculptors Judy Onofrio, Roger Hines, Rhett Johnson, and Marv Dahmen. “This exhibit is going to be vibrant,” Jo Mueller, Spiva’s executive director said. “Judy Onofrio exhibited here in 1999. These pieces date from 2001 and carry her signature sense of whimsy and humor.” Central figures in Onofrio’s work are created primarily of wood and then embellished with a myriad of objects. “I have been a fanatic collector of objects all my life,” she says, “ceaselessly stockpiling junk, images and ideas.”


Hines, a native of Tulsa who now lives in New York City, received top honors at the 2003 Berlin International Assemblage Artist Exhibition. His award-winning piece, Room #12 from his “Rooms of the Mind” series, is one of three that Spiva will display. Hines creates sculptures consisting almost entirely of found objects – old chair legs, door moldings, clock faces, wires, and usually, doll faces that add a human element to his work.

Rhett Johnson of Dearborn, Missouri, makes extensive use of familiar, discarded items: coffee pots, shovels, ironing boards, TV trays, doors and saws, not to mention an assortment of small items he found in excavations throughout the state. “We’re very excited to bring Rhett’s work to Joplin,” Mueller said. “His work is funny, thought-provoking, and in one outstanding piece, quite poignant. We’ll have a piece at Spiva that’s never been exhibited before. It’s Rhett’s response to the events of 9/11, a very powerful fallen American hero image.”

Marv Dahmen, a prolific sculptor and assemblage artist from Carl Junction, has created a completely new series for the exhibit. Each piece from “Variations in Brass and Copper” contains found objects with paint and metallic elements. Hines, Johnson and Dahmen will be on hand opening night to meet the public and answer questions.

Variations on a 3-D Theme features the paintings of Michele DeSutter, “pop” can art by Ron Mosbaugh, and sculpture by MSSU student Scott Murray.

The exhibits preview Friday, February 27, at a reception for the artists, their guests and Spiva members. The Ridpath Study Club will host the event. The MSSU Jazz Combo, featuring Joel Thomas, Matt Godsey, Tom Smith, Seth White and Robert Terry, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. The galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Donations are welcome; there is no charge for admission. Financial assistance for A Confederacy of Objects is provided by Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

For more information, please call 417-623-0183.

George A. Spiva Center for the Arts
222 W. 3rd Street
Joplin, Mo 64801
Tel: 417-623-0183
Fax: 417-623-3805
www.spivaarts.org

Jo Mueller, Director

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