With only one more full weekend of holiday shopping left, finding that "perfect something" for someone on your list may seem a daunting task. However, the Gallery Gift Shop at Spiva Center for the Arts may be just the source for the splendid, fun, useful, or eclectic gift you are seeking.

Located on the second floor of Spiva Center for the Arts at Third and Wall, the Gallery Gift Shop features originals created by regional artists and artisans ranging in price from $1 for a Jane Kleindl notecard to a few hundred dollars for a luxurious hand woven jacket by Margaret Roach Wheeler. In between is a wide range of fine arts and handsomely crafted unique items in all media and prices, with much in the very affordable range of $20–$50.

Fans of prints, pastels, photography, watercolor, acrylics, or oil paintings will be pleased with framed artwork and giclees by artists such as Lari Clark, Richard Courtney, Darral A. Dishman, Annabelle S. Fuhr, Heather Grills, Linda Teeter, Mary Ann Soerries, Tricia Courtney, and Marilyn York. Potters Jed Schlegel, Al Letner, Genii Kress, Brent Skinner, John Good, and others offer a variety of creations from mugs to high art ceramics.

Jewelry artists Nicole Hughes, Laura Van Buren, Tami Persson & Dee McCormick, and Marv Dahmen offer a plethora of handcrafted adornments incorporating materials such as stone beads, colorful fused glass, and precious gemstones. Perhaps a lovely hand-dyed silk scarf by Connie Knudtson, a hand-woven scarf by Jean Jack, or a fun Gracie’s Gear Do-Rag will fill the bill.

For the practical minded on your list, check out the glass cutting boards and tiles featuring original artwork images by Jesse McCormick, the hand-carved wooden spoons by Samantha Thompson, wooden bowls by Michael Ton, or the fancy lidded boxes by Michael Walmsley. And for the musically inclined, look for CDs by local band Kufara as well as Africa-inspired Kids’ Karimbas (thumb pianos).

“We’ve always offered the work of talented regional artists in our gift shop," noted Jo Mueller, Spiva’s Executive Director, "and it has become a great showcase of original items for art lovers, art givers, collectors, and anyone seeking something beautiful, different, or unusual."

Of course, if you have a fat wallet and a BIG stocking to fill, why not add a Dale Chihuly handblown art glass sculpture to someone's collection? And if you still can't quite decide, there's always the handy Spiva Gift Certificate.

Purchases can be made by cash, check, MasterCard and Visa. Best of all, there are no parking hassles, harried crowds, or long checkout lines! Free parking is available on the south side of the Spiva building off Wall, and the Gallery Gift Shop is accessible via elevator or stairs to the second floor. Shoppers who’d like a preview of gifts may visit the shop online at

Spiva's Gallery Gift Shop

Spiva galleries and Gallery Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sundays 1–5 p.m., with the following holiday hours observed: Closed at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 24; closed Sunday, December 25; closed at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 31; closed Sunday, January 1, 2006.

For more information, please call 417.623.0183.

Spiva Center for the Arts, funded through memberships, contributions, and grants, is open to the public. 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