The winning red ticket was pulled from a glass bowl held by Jo Mueller, Spiva director by 12-year-old Bethany Courtney at 5:47 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8. Jimmye Dean Fagan of Joplin won the chance to have her portrait painted by Carthage artist Andy Thomas.

Scores of admirers took a chance and bought a ticket to have their portrait painted by Carthage artist Andy Thomas at the Live Portrait Demonstration taking place at Spiva Center for the Arts this Sunday afternoon, February 12, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The winning red ticket pulled from the glass bowl by 12-year-old Bethany Courtney at 5:47 p.m. on Wednesday evening belonged to Jimmye Dean Fagan of Joplin, who will take home the original oil on canvas that Andy Thomas completes during the presentation.

Of course everyone attending the Live Portrait Demonstration by Andy Thomas will be rewarded with a fascinating afternoon, watching this self-taught artist transform a blank canvas into a lively, life-like portrait. Andy will present his step-by-step approach to capturing a likeness and offer tips on drawing, color mixing, brush selection, and painting techniques.

Dina Thomas will provide invaluable career development information and strategies that have worked for this successful husband-wife team. The session will be informal, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions! Andy will sign copies of his book, The Artful Journey, available for purchase at Spiva.

The event takes place at Spiva Center for the Arts, located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. Cost is $5 at the door. Reservations are requested. Please call Spiva (417.623.0183) to reserve a seat.

Current exhibitions at Spiva Center for the Arts are Andy Thomas: Storyteller in the Main Gallery and Divergent Tangents in the Regional Focus Gallery, open to the public through March 3. With the exception of Sunday, February 12, when the Main Gallery will be closed during Andy Thomas’ portrait painting demonstration, Spiva galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is by voluntary contribution.

Andy Thomas: Storyteller is sponsored by Southwest Missouri Bank. Additional financial assistance for Spiva programs is provided by the Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. For additional information, please call 417.623.0183.


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