"She's the One" by Del Thomas

The art quilts that viewers will be treated to at Spiva Center for the Arts beginning October 21 are a bit different than the ones your mother or grandmother made to keep the family warm during winter.

Layers and Upon Reflection are traveling exhibits featuring the art quilts created by members of the Kansas Art Quilters (KAQ), an organization of quilt artists from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and California. Layers features art quilts submitted to the Kansas Art Quilters membership show in 2003, while Upon Reflection consists of 35 self portraits by KAQ members organized as a traveling exhibition of textile art. All the pieces are 36" square or smaller.

Cathy White, Assistant Vice President of UMB Bank expressed her delight in having UMB Bank and UMB Asset Management provide supporting funds for Layers/Upon Reflection. “We are pleased to partner with Spiva Center for the Arts in bringing this appealing art quilt exhibit to the greater Joplin area.”

Similar to contemporary mixed media artworks, the 63 art quilts presented at Spiva incorporate a wide range of visual arts materials, media, and processes. “This presentation of art quilts,” notes Spiva Director Jo Mueller, “is one that will interest quilt makers as well as artists.”

Materials used by the KAQ quilt artists vary from traditional sewn fabric scraps to hot glued “google eyes” and stone fetish embellishments. Techniques range from hand stitching and applique to computer generated transfers. Likewise, subject matter and intention are unique to each artist and quilt, with some artists exploring purely aesthetic interests and others revealing personal concerns and life experiences.

Layers/Upon Reflection is sponsored by UMB Bank & UMB Asset Management, with additional support from Friends of St. Avips and The Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. 
 
The same evening, Art-rageous!, an exciting showcase of outstanding art by area high school students, opens in Spiva’s Regional Focus Gallery. Art-rageous! is a regional high school art competition sponsored by The Joplin Globe, Future Artists of Carthage, and Spiva Center for the Arts. The artworks on display were selected by jurors Lowell Davis, Sandy Higgins, and Jed Schlegel in the first round of competition. From this exhibit, a second panel of jurors comprised of Sandy Higgins, Nick Kyle, and Jorge Leyva will select individual students to receive awards. Awards will be presented at 11am, Saturday, October 22, at Spiva.

Additionally, The Joplin Globe is sponsoring a companion event—a newspaper rack decorating contest. The Globe will award cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 to the top three schools for the purchase of art supplies.

Contenders for Art-rageous! include students from McAuley, Southwest, Thomas Jefferson, Avilla R-13, Carl Junction, Joplin, Diamond, Nevada, Webb City, Carthage, Jasper, Northeast Vernon County R-1, Greenfield R-IV, College Heights, Cassville, Southeast (KS), St. Mary’s Colgan (KS), Pittsburg (KS), Girard (KS), Vinita (OK), and Picher (OK) high schools.

Layers/Upon Reflection and Art-rageous! preview Friday, October 21, 5:30–7:30pm, at a reception for the artists, guests, sponsors, and Spiva members. The opening will be hosted by Deli du Jour, Susan and Bill Tuohy, owners. Members of the Ozark Wilderness Dulcimer Club will entertain. The exhibits continue through November 27.
 
Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The Gift Shop and galleries are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m. Admission to the Main Gallery is by voluntary contribution.
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