Artists, supporters, sponsors, and guests gathered at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin for the members preview of the 58th Annual Membership Show on Friday night, December 2.

During the Awards Ceremony that evening, Spiva Director Jo Mueller announced that 91 artists submitted 166 pieces of art to the show, sponsored by art patrons Debra and David Humphreys. Most of the exhibitors are from Joplin and the southwestern Missouri vicinity.

Assistant Professors Burt Bucher, Josie Mai, and Frank Pishkur of the MSSU Art Department were this year's jurors, responsible for selecting the awards provided by Spiva, along with $2,700 in cash prizes generously donated by Dr. and Mrs. John C. Windle of Joplin. Among the jurors' favorites was “The Ole Fisherman’s Favorites,"a watercolor by Margaret Burch, chosen to receive the Barrie Hunt Memorial Award.

In the two-dimensional category, the jurors awarded Honorable Mentions to Kate Hoynacki for “Ice on the Moon,” an oil painting, and to Kelly Moreland for her fabric collage, “Red Branch.” Linda Teeter received the Merit Award for “Junkanoos – Music of the Bahamas,” a giclee photograph. The large acrylic painting, “45 – Two Different Ways,” earned Ovie Pritchett the Third Place prize, while Mark Norris captured Second Place with his photograph, "View from the Other Side." First Place in the two-dimensional category was won by Dan McWilliams for his oil painting “View from Room 429.”

In the three-dimensional category, Jed Schlegel's clay piece “Eclipse” received a Merit Award, while Third Place went to Al Letner for “Rakuware Lidded Vessel – White.” Second Place was won by Margaret Roach Wheeler for her textile piece, “Earth Strata – Moments in Time.” First Place in the three-dimensional category was award to Russell Ryan for "Scimitar", impeccably rendered in exotic woods.

Budding artists under the age of 16 also competed in the "Youth Competitive" category, designated for ages 12-16. First Place Awards went to Bethany Courtney for her found object sculpture, "Pieces of a Princess" and to John McDermid for his painting "Autumn Splendor." Several youngsters ages 11 and under received Donna Gilbreth Memorial Children Awards. Honorable Mentions went to Broderick Coursey for “Land of Peace” and to Zac Moreland for “Crazy Crown.” Rylee Stovern received a Merit Award for “Midnight at the Oasis.” Third Place went to with Sam Coursey for “Buffalo Grazing in the Grass”; Second Place, to Leah Rosin Tarrant for “Boo”; and First Place to Calvin Jones for his chalk drawing “Untitled: Flamingos.”

The evening also featured the exhibit preview of By Degrees: MFA Student Works, presenting the artwork of candidates for the Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the conclusion of the 2005 Artful Ornament Auction which earned $611 for the SpivaKids FunFund, a scholarship fund for children’s classes at the Center.

The exhibitions continue through January 13, 2006.

View award winning artwork online

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