Larry Stark

Larry catches a big one

Wisconsin artist Larry Stark figured it wouldn’t take long. Starting in 1990, the photographer and printmaker would fish every state for a different fish, with a different person, as a work of art.

Instead of the two years he envisioned, Fishing America: A Work of Art took 13 years to complete. The resulting portfolio of 50 prints and 50 stories will be on view at Spiva Center for the Arts September 17 through October 24.

Each print documents a fishing experience in a different state. Some record the fish; others depict the landscape or people Stark encountered.

Stark’s work has been purchased by nearly 100 public institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Gallery of Canada. Spiva joins the Chicago Institute of Art as one of more than 50 institutions to grant Stark a solo exhibition.

“We’re pleased to exhibit Fishing America at Spiva,” Jo Mueller, executive director said. “In fact, we’re welcoming Stark to Joplin with our own ‘hook’ for his exhibit. We’re calling it Fishing Main Street!”

On August 28, teams of children armed with brightly colored glass markers transformed Main Street windows into a ‘river’ of whimsical fish. “Fishing Main Street! is a great opportunity for community involvement in the arts,” Mueller said. “The downtown merchants were excited to see what the children created for them.” Main Street Joplin is sponsoring the event.

Larry Stark will share his stories with Spiva members, guests, and Fishing Main Street! teams at the opening reception Friday, September 17 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The opening will be hosted by Red Lobster, Robert W. Albright, General Manager.

Along with Fishing America, another exhibit opens at Spiva the same evening. Donna Gilbreth Remembered features pastels and watercolors by the late artist. “Donna was a gifted artist and a dedicated Spiva Board Member,” said former director Darlene Brown. Much of Gilbreth’s work depicts the natural beauty of the Ozarks. The exhibit will be displayed through October 24 in Spiva’s second floor Regional Gallery.

To add to the opening night events, Spiva’s Seventh Annual 12 x 12 Auction, a silent auction of 65 works by Spiva artists to benefit the Center, will close at 7 p.m.

Online bidding for the pieces at:

4statearts.com will end at 4:30 that afternoon.

Financial assistance for “Fishing America” is provided by Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. “Fishing Main Street!” is made possible by Main Street Joplin and downtown merchants. The 12 x 12 Online Auction is sponsored by The Joplin Globe.

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.

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