George A. Spiva Center for the Arts has issued a call for entries for Challenge III: The Teapot Form, the Center’s third annual area artists’ challenge.

The challenges began in 2003 as a way to raise money for the center and participating artists. Entries are exhibited in Spiva’s main gallery, and are sold to the highest bidder in a silent auction. Proceeds are split 50/50 between the artists and the center.

During the first two challenges, artists embellished furniture. Have a Seat (2003) was restricted to chairs; Artcessories, The Fun Art of Furnishings (2004) included any piece of furniture that weighed less than 100 pounds.

“This year the challenge goes beyond decorating existing items to creating original work. We’re expecting some terrific, non-traditional teapots in addition to two-dimensional representations,” said Spiva director Jo Mueller.

Spiva officials have heard about an 80-lb. welded steel teapot under construction in Carl Junction, and a collaborative 50-lb. clay teapot work taking shape in Carthage.

According to Mueller, the 100-pound limit still applies, as does the Center’s 72” x 72” size limit for two-dimensional work. “Functional or not, anything goes!” she added.

Participating artists will be invited to display one or two pieces of their ‘usual’ work in addition to their entries. “This gives area artists an opportunity to exhibit their work in the Main Gallery, which is normally restricted to nationally-known artists,” Mueller said.

Completed entries for Challenge III: The Teapot Form must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, March 4. The challenge is open to all area artists. Interested artists should contact the Center before February 28.

To warm up to the teapot challenge, adults and high school students age 16 and above are invited to participate in “Not Yet… Anything but, Open Studio Teapot Day” at Spiva, Saturday, January 22, 1–4 p.m.

Participants are invited to bring mixed media odds and ends to create “crazy, fun, non-traditional teapots” with PSU art instructor and Spiva staff member Rhonda Shand. The class fee is $15. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Challenge III: The Teapot Form opens Friday, March 11 with a reception for the artists, their families and Spiva members, and runs through April 8.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. The galleries will be closed for renovation Monday, January 17 through Thursday, January 27. Spiva offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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