"Butterfly" by Rylee Stovern

A silent auction for original, one-of-a-kind artist-made ornaments is underway at Spiva Center for the Arts, 3rd & Wall, Joplin, Mo. until Friday December 2.

Started in 1997, area artists create and contribute the distinctive hand-made holiday ornaments for this generous holiday tradition.

Currently the ornaments are on view in Spiva’s Third Street windows and online at Spiva’s website www.spivaarts.org where you may email your bids to Spiva until 4:30 p.m. Friday. Bidding will continue until 7:30 p.m. at Spiva, at which time the ornaments will go home with the highest bidder. If you are not there in person you will be notified by phone if you were the highest bidder.

All proceeds from the auction benefit the SpivaKids FunFund, a scholarship fund for area children who want to take classes at the center.

Friday, Dec. 2 also marks the opening of the center’s 58th Membership Show. Sponsored by Debra and David Humphreys, the 2005 exhibit will feature the work of more than 90 area artists. Both children and adults will vie for prizes provided by
Dr. and Mrs. John Windle.

The membership show is as much anticipated for its variety as for the chance to acquire original art by established or up and coming local artists. Every type of medium will be represented, from drawings to weaving, paintings to pottery, artwork created from found objects and everything in between.

Dec. 2 also marks the opening of the Regional Focus Gallery exhibit “Masters in Progress,”current works by MFA students from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. The two exhibits will run through January 13.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. Spiva 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. The center, which is funded through memberships, contributions and grants, is open to the public. There is no charge for admission. Donations are welcome.

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