When bidding ends on Thursday, September 8, sixty-seven square feet of art will leave Spiva Center for the Arts in the hands of new owners.

Nearly six dozen original works, each measuring 12 inches by 12 inches, are being auctioned to benefit the art center. Sixty-two area artists, all Spiva members, are participating in this year’s event. (Full list of participating artists follows.)

The annual 12 x 12 Auction takes its name from the format: each artist begins with a piece of plain hardboard, 12 inches by 12 inches. Any media is eligible as long as the square foot requirement is met in some way.

Watercolors, ceramics, acrylics, oils, metal, wood, silk, collage—just about every media is represented, even the dried orange peels used by Justin Hale.

Hale’s piece captures his memories of Haitian orange merchants. “They peel the fruit for you and string the rinds up to dry. They’re too beautiful to throw away,“ he says.

“The variety in this year’s auction is terrific,” Spiva director Jo Mueller said. In addition to works by emerging artists, bidders will find 12 x 12s by established artists such as Andy Thomas, Jim Bray, Nick Kyle and Margaret Wheeler.

“The auction is a great way to acquire an original piece of art, and a great way to help support the center,” Mueller added. “Many pieces are starting as low as $20.00, and will go for very modest amounts. This means it’s possible to purchase an original piece by an up-and-coming artist, or participate in the fun, final bidding for works by the well-known artists.”

Bidding opened at the Center in late May. All 67 pieces are on display in the lobby and bidding is open to everyone.

For those who can’t make it to the Center, or who prefer Internet auctions, there is another option. All the pieces are online at spivaarts.org –The site is sponsored by the Joplin Globe.

The auction will close at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 8. Online bidding will end at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon.

As the bidding closes, two exhibits will open. “Binary Articulations,” a celebration of exceptional digital photography, will open in the Main Gallery. The Regional Gallery will feature works of art from the personal collections of Spiva’s Board Members and staff. Both exhibits run through Friday, October 14.

The galleries and gift shop will be closed August 29 and re-open at 5:30 p.m. September 8. The lobby and 12 x 12 Auction will remain open Monday through Friday 10-5 p.m.

Normal gallery and gift shop hours—Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 5 and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00—resume September 8 with the special Thursday opening of “Binary Articulations”

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. Donations are welcome. There is no charge for admission. For more information please call 417-623-0183.

Participating Artists: 2005 12 x 12 Auction

Joplin MO — David Alsenz, Dorothy Alsenz, Kevin Bowman, Jim Bray, Trish Courtney,Tom DeCleene, Linda Dishman, Tucker Fenix, Bill Fowks, Ruth Ann Gentile, Justin Hale, Joy Hensley, Susan Howard, Jessica Johnson, Brad Kleindl, Jane Kleindl, Ann Leach, Paige Lewis, Mary Margaret Meacham, Hiram Mesa, James E. Miller, Wendy Milliman, Audrey Mitchell, Moreland, Margie Moss, Mark Norris, Bill Perry, Debbie Reed, Donna Roberts, Helen J. Ryan, Russell B. Ryan, Richard Sachan, Mary Ann Sorries, Laura Van Buren, Margaret Roach Wheeler, Megan Whited and Randy Wright
Anthem, AZ — Suzi Higgs Harrison
Carl Junction, MO – Carol Adamec, Tyler J. Boatright, Mark A. Cole, Jana Dahmen, M. F. Dahmen and Linda S Teeter
Carthage, MO — Daria Jackson, Nicholas Kyle and Andy Thomas
Galena, KS — Theresa Rankin and Stan Weaver
Jasper, MO — Dan McWilliams
Miami Shores, Fl — Janet Davis and John Van Beekum
Monett, MO — Carol E. Shipman
Mt.Vernon, MO — Terri Balden
Neosho, MO — Mary Ellen Pitts
Pittsburg, KS — Terry Nowell, Rhona Shand and Andy Super
Sarcoxie, MO — Verneill Roper
Webb City, MO — Leloni Boatright, Andrea Brown and Rebecca Perry

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

spivaarts.org