On August 28, 2004, SpivaKids armed with brightly colored glass markers transformed Main Street windows into a ‘river’ of whimsical fish. “Fishing Main Street! was a great opportunity for community involvement in the arts,” Jo Mueller, Spiva director, said. “The downtown merchants were excited to see what the children created for them.”

The event—“Fishing Main Street!”—promoted Spiva’s exhibit, “Fishing America: The Photos and Stories of Larry Stark.”

Approximately 15 artist/supervisors and 45 children grades 5 and above participated. “The Main Street merchants were excited very pleased about the project and nearly every window on Main between Third and Seventh was decorated,” Mueller added.

Main Street Joplin helped underwrite the event. The fish remained on Main Street through the run of “Fishing America” at the art center.


Watch a slide show of Fishing Main Street

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“Fishing America” was intended to be a two-year conceptual work of art: photographer and printmaker Larry Stark would fish for a different fish and with a different person in every state in the Union. Thirteen years later Stark completed his quest.

The resulting portfolio of 50 prints and 50 stories will be on view at Spiva Center for the Arts September 17 through October 24. Some of the prints record the fish; others depict the landscape or people.

Stark was on hand to share his stories during the opening night reception for Spiva members and their guests Friday, September 17.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The Center’s 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. Admission is by donation.

Now that's a whopper

Financial assistance for “Fishing America” was provided by Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. “Fishing Main Street!” was made possible by Main Street Joplin and downtown merchants.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The Center’s 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. Admission is by donation.

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