Bethany Courtney practices painting fish on a Spiva window.

Bethany Courtney decorates a Spiva window with colorful fish.

Joplin, Missouri – August 13, 2004. Teams of artists and SpivaKids—children enrolled in classes at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts—will turn Main Street windows into a river of whimsical fish Saturday, August 28.

The event—“Fishing Main Street!”—will promote Spiva’s coming exhibit, “Fishing America: The Photos and Stories of Larry Stark.”

"The teams will meet at the art center Saturday morning to look at pictures and practice ‘fishing’ on Spiva’s windows," executive director Jo Mueller said. “By the time they get to Main Street they’ll be warmed up and the fish will be jumping!”

Approximately 15 artist/supervisors and 45 children grades 5 and above are expected to participate. “The Main Street merchants are excited about the project and nearly every window on Main between Third and Seventh will be decorated,” Mueller added.

Main Street Joplin is helping underwrite the event. The fish will remain on Main Street through the run of “Fishing America” at the art center.

“Fishing America” was intended to be a two-year conceptual work of art: photographer and printmaker Larry Stark would fish for a different fish and with a different person in every state in the Union. Thirteen years later Stark completed his quest.

The resulting portfolio of 50 prints and 50 stories will be on view at Spiva Center for the Arts September 17 through October 24. Some of the prints record the fish; others depict the landscape or people.

Stark will be on hand to share his stories during an opening night reception for Spiva members and their guests Friday, September 17.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The Center’s 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 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Financial assistance for “Fishing America” is provided by Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Now that's a whopper

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