"Around & Around & Around" by Donna Gilbreth

"Eggplant" by Donna Gilbreth

"Untitled" by Donna Gilbreth

Donna Gilbreth

An exhibition of works by the late Donna Gilbreth will open to the public Saturday, September 18 at Spiva Center for the Arts and will run through Sunday, October 24.



Donna Gilbreth Remembered, in the second floor Regional Focus Gallery, includes pastels and watercolors loaned to Spiva by the artist's family.



Gilbreth, a Chicago native, lived most of her life in the Joplin area. A graduate of Missouri Southern State College, she worked for the Joplin R-VIII School District as an elementary art teacher from 1984 to 1990.



Although she resigned to establish a studio and pursue a full time career in fine art, Gilbreth continued to teach, offering workshops and private instruction for children and adults at all skill levels.



She taught a variety of children’s classes for Spiva, and taught watercolor classes through the continuing education program at Franklin Technical Center.



“It seemed like she was on a million committees at Spiva,” says daughter-in-law Cathy Gilbreth. Gilbreth served two terms on Spiva’s Board of Directors, and was President of the Board from 1999–2000.



By the time of her death in 2002, the award-winning artist had completed consignment works for many Joplin area businesses and organizations.



Working mainly in pastels and watercolors, Gilbreth’s theme usually was derived from nature. She wrote, “I am concerned with what the future may hold for our environment and feel it important in my works to depict the natural beauty of the Ozarks.”



Running concurrently with the Gilbreth retrospective is Fishing America: A Work of Art in Spiva’s Main Gallery.



The exhibits open to Spiva members and guests at 5:30 p.m. Friday, September 17. The opening will be hosted by Red Lobster, Robert W. Albright, General Manager.



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. The 12 x 12 Auction online 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 will reopen Friday, September 17. Hours are 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.



Donna P. Gilbreth

(1936-2002)



Donna graduated from Missouri Southern State College in 1984 with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in Art.



She worked as an elementary art teacher from 1984 to 1990 for the Joplin R-VIII School District, resigning to pursue a full time career in fine art and establish a studio. She offered workshops and private instruction to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Donna also taught watercolor classes through the continuing education program at Franklin Technical Center.



Working mainly in pastels and watercolors, Donna’s theme was usually derived from nature. She wrote, “I am concerned with what the future may hold for our environment and feel it important in my works to depict the natural beauty of the Ozarks.”



Donna’s affiliations included:



• Charter member of Joplin Metropolitan Art League, Joplin, MO



• Founding member and President of Big Springs Art Gallery, Neosho, MO



• Member and Board President of Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO



• Member of Art Central, Carthage, MO



• Signature member of the Ozark Pastel Society



She won many awards in Four State Area competition and completed consignment works for many Joplin area businesses and organizations.



Donna’s love for art took a backseat only to the love she had for her family and friends. She lives on through the beautiful art she has left behind for all of us to enjoy and treasure.


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