Jo Mueller, Spiva Executive Director, stands back to admire a painting montage of Darral Dishman. "Darral Dishman: A Retrospective," will be on display in the Regional Focus Gallery on the second floor at Spiva Center through June 20.

"House Barn" by Darral Dishman

"Echoes of Keystone" by Darral Dishman

An exhibition of works by the late Darral Dishman will open to the public Saturday, May 22 at Spiva Center for the Arts and will run through Sunday, June 20.

"Darral Dishman: A Retrospective," in the Regional Focus Gallery on the second floor, includes drawings and watercolor, oil, and mixed media paintings loaned from private collections and the artist's family.

Dishman was director of the art department at Missouri Southern State College from 1966 to 1981 and director of Spiva Art Center from 1966 to 1976. At the time of his death, July 29, 1984, he was an assistant professor, concentrating on teaching and his own painting.

Dishman's influence extended not only to college students but to artists attending his two-week watercolor workshops at Missouri Southern. He also judged many art competitions.

In his artist's statement in a catalog for a group watercolor exhibition at Spiva early in 1984, he wrote, "My personal involvement with the transparent watercolor medium is extremely possessive and demanding. The medium's pure nature has a verve, vigor, and elusiveness which I admire."

While the exhibit includes diverse subjects, many works such as "Ozark Explorers," "Scared Crows," and "Tipton Ford," show Dishman's appreciation for area landscapes and history.

"For the many people who knew Darral, this will be a rare opportunity to enjoy his art again," said Jo Mueller, Spiva's executive director. "For those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing this artist's work before, it's a chance to become acquainted with his insight and technique."

Two other exhibits will run concurrently with the Dishman retrospective:

People's Lives: A Photographic Celebration of the Human Spirit," by photographer Bill Wright will be in the Main Gallery and the

Seventh Annual 12 x 12 Auction, a silent auction of work by Spiva members to benefit the Center, will be displayed in the lobby.

The exhibits open to Spiva members and guests at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 21. Hosts for the opening reception are The Thai Restaurant and Take-Away Café. Pianist Joel Thomas will entertain.

Financial assistance for Spiva programs is provided by the Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. Galleries and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00. Donations are welcome; there is no charge for admission.

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