Challenge III: The Teapot Form is Spiva’s third annual area artists’ challenge. It is also the largest: 73 regional artists submitted 82 entries for the challenge. Entries poured in from as far away as Point Lookout, Hollister and Springfield, as well as from nearby communities Carl Junction, Carthage, Webb City, and Mt. Vernon.

The challenges began in 2003 as a way to raise money for both the art 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.

Each participating artist was invited to submit one or more pieces for the auction in addition to one or two pieces of the “usual” work. These pieces are identified by gallery tags which list the artist, medium, and sale price of additional works.

Auction items are identified by number. Numbers may be matched to bid sheets posted in each room in the gallery. Bid sheets display the artist’s name, title of the work, minimum (or starting) bid, and a brief biographical sketch. Artists set the amount of the opening bid. Bidding ends at 5 p.m., Friday, April 8.

Two awards will be given in this year’s challenge. The Artists’ Choice Award for Best of Show will be determined by popular vote of participating artists. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by tallying votes of Spiva’s visitors. Winners in both categories will be awarded one-year family memberships to the art center.

Our thanks to all the artists who participated in this year’s challenge. Huge or petite, traditional or completely non-functional, these pieces represent beautiful, strange, humorous, and amazing worlds for all of us to explore. On behalf of everyone at Spiva, thank you!

Teapot Exhibit


People's Choice: Jessica Miner - "Under the Sea"
Artists' Choice: (Tie) Marv Dahmen - "Teapot" & Wendy Milliman - "Aunt Tea" Congratulations


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

Cyndee writes:
"The pictures of the tea pots are wonderful. Very creative!"