Perspectives Gallery of Fine Art will be a gallery with a difference. The gallery opens at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, and closes a mere 32 hours later at 6 p.m. May 8.

Perspectives will present the work of 56 artists from five states in a one-of-a-kind weekend public art show and sale Mother's Day weekend. The gallery will be situated on the Terrace Level of the Joplin Holiday Inn at 3615 South Range Line Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

The gallery is an offshoot of the annual St. Avips Art Auction. The auction, traditionally a one-night affair, is held in conjunction with the St. Avips Ball, a fundraiser benefiting George A. Spiva Center for the Arts.

"The weekend Perspectives Gallery extends the sale and offers the public a chance to see the art and meet the artists," said Sue Dixon, art auction director. "We'll have a tremendous variety of artwork available for purchase in the gallery — original works in oil and watercolor, stone carvings, pottery, photography and jewelry. Any of them would make wonderful Mother's Day gifts."

Dixon said the Perspectives Gallery grew from requests by artists and the public to create an open event similar to Brushstrokes, a fine art sale that was held in Joplin for several years during the mid- to late 1990s.

"When Brushstrokes was discontinued, it left a void for both the artists and area residents. Perspectives Gallery will host some of the most talented, best known artists from our area, artists who have been very loyal to the idea of a Joplin event like this," Dixon said.

Participating artists include Carol Adamec, Dorothy Alsenz, Phyllis Bia, Karolee Blanchard, Diana Bray, Jim Bray, David Burt, Garnet Buster, Cleo's Picture Framing & Design, Barbara Courtney, Tricia Courtney, Jana Dahmen, Marv Dahmen, Lowell Davis, Thomas DeCleene, Eloise DeLaval, Jerry Ellis, John Fitzgibbon, Annabelle Seelye Fuhr, Ann Fuller, John Good, Michael Gory, Heather Grills, Doug Hall, Greg Huff, Tom Jones, Nick Kyle, Jeff Legg, Pam Leisenring, April Leiter, Dan McWilliams, Mary Margart Meacham, Jason Miller, Wendy Milliman, Patricia Moline, Becky Moore, Margie Moss, Mary Ellen Pitts, Theresa Rankin, Debbie Reed, Richard Reed, R. J. Roberson, Donna Roberts, Richard Sachan, Rhona Shand, Mary Ann Soerries, Jack Sours, Linda Teeter, Andy Thomas, Bob Tommey, Laura Van Buren, Margaret Roach Wheeler, Todd Williams, David Winward, Marilyn York, and Michael Walmsley.

Sixty percent of the proceeds from the sale will go to the artists with the remainder benefiting Spiva Center for the Arts. The center offers a wide variety of classes for area residents of all ages, and provides access to the fine arts through year-round exhibits in two galleries.

Spiva programs are financed through fundraisers, memberships, foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, and gift shop sales.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The 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. Contributions are welcome; there is no set fee for admission.

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