Flies in the Spider Web, 1974, Lithograph, Alexander Calder (USA, 1898 – 1976)

LaGrange, a small town in the heart of rural Georgia, is home to Wes and Missy Cochran and one of the finest private art collections to be found anywhere in the United States.

Over the past three decades the stonemason and his wife, a public school teacher, have collected some of the best examples of European and American works on paper from the last half of the last century.

Graphics by 20th Century Masters, a selection of works from the collection, is scheduled to open the 2005-06 season at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts July 8. The show will run through August 28.

The traveling exhibit features a variety of printmaking techniques among 61 graphic works by more than 50 renowned artists, many of whom are better known for their work in other media.

Included with works by Picasso, Chagall, Dali and others is an etching by sculptor Henry Moore, a mixed-media piece by sculptor Louise Nevelson and a lithograph by Alexander Calder, perhaps best known for his mobiles.

“We’re very excited to host this exhibit,” director Jo Mueller commented. “It’s extraordinary for work by such famous artists to come to a community this size.”

Joplin is the smallest city included on a thirteen city national tour that’s taking place over a period of two and a half years. The tour was developed and managed by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services, an exhibition tour development company in Kansas City, Missouri

“We couldn’t bring this exhibit to Spiva without the generous support of Debra and David Humphreys and The Friends of St. Avips who are sponsoring the exhibition,” Mueller continued.

According to Spiva President and St. Avips member Sharon Beshore, The Friends of St. Avips is a separate, 43-year-old volunteer organization that raises funds and supports the center in a variety of ways.

St. Avips chose to sponsor Graphics by 20th Century Masters “because it’s a world class show. We feel it’s a great opportunity for people to see an amazing exhibit and at the same time, notice what a terrific art center we have right here in Joplin,” she said.

In addition to the helping sponsor the exhibit, The Friends of St. Avips also will host the opening reception Friday, July 8. Pianist Kevin Costley will entertain.

Closing day activities include a gallery talk with New York educator/artist Donita Ellison. The Art in the Afternoon seminar “We Begin With Surface – 20th Century Prints from the Cochran Collection” is scheduled for 2:00–4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 28. The gathering is open to the public. Reservations and a $5 contribution at the door are requested.

Spiva’s Regional Focus Gallery also opens a new exhibit Friday, July 8. Steven Wise and Cynthia Brown: Paintings and Ceramics will feature two- and three-dimensional work by the two artists.

Wise is an educator from Rogers, Arkansas whose paintings have been included in numerous solo and juried group shows, national traveling exhibitions and most notably, selected for the the 2002 issue of New American Paintings: Southern Edition. Mr. Wise received his MFA from the University of Iowa.

Ms. Brown’s whimsical, hand-built ceramic inhabitants of the fictional town of Fork in the Road, Oklahoma also will be featured. The cast of female characters—girlfriends, cousins and sisters— will be accompanied by entertaining excerpts from their “biographies.”

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. Gallery and gift shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.

The center, which is funded through memberships, contributions and grants, is open to the public. Admission is by voluntary contribution.

Additional assistance for Spiva programming is provided by The Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. 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. Admission is by voluntary contribution.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. Gallery and gift shop hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

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