“Layers” and “Upon Reflection,” traveling exhibits featuring 63 art quilts, are on display beginning today at the Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 W. Third St. in Joplin.

The art quilts are a bit different than the ones mom or grandma used to make to keep the family warm during winter. The quilts were 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 and “Upon Reflection” consists of 35 self portraits by KAQ members organized as a traveling exhibition of textile art. All the pieces are 36-inches square or smaller.

Similar to contemporary mixed-media artworks, the 63 art quilts presented at Spiva incorporate a wide range of visual-arts materials, media, and processes. Materials used by the artists vary from traditional sewn fabric scraps to hot glued “google eyes” and stone fetish embellishments. Techniques range from hand stitching 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.

The exhibits are sponsored by UMB Bank & UMB Asset Management, with additional support from Friends of St. Avips and The Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

“Art-rageous!,” a showcase of outstanding art by area high-school students, also opens today 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 Elaina Edman, Sandy Higgins and Jed Schlegel in the first round of competition. From the exhibit, a second panel of jurors comprised of Sandy Higgins, Nick Kyle, and Jorge Leyva will select individual students to receive awards. Awards were presented at 11 a.m. Saturday at Spiva See the competition winners online

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.

First place: McAuley Catholic High School — “The News Reflected;” second place: Avilla R-13 High School — “Globe News Travels! Find Out What’s Inside;” third place: College Heights Christian School — “Peace is of Love;” Globe special recognition: St. Mary’s Colgan High School, Pittsburg — “How Do You Get Your News?;” people’s choice: Webb City R-7 High School — “Open Your Eyes to the Globe with Esmerelda;” and Spiva/director’s choice: Carl Junction High School — “Transformer.”

See the newspaper racks online

All of the exhibits will be previewed from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today 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.

Spiva galleries and gift shop are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission to the Main Gallery is by voluntary contribution.
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