"Octopus" by Rachel Blaser

PhotoSpiva 2007, the national photography competition offered by Spiva Center for the Arts, opens to the public Saturday, April 28, and continues through Friday, June 22.

Spiva officials established the annual competition in 1977. Sponsors David and Debra Humphreys elected to underwrite the competition and exhibition, noting that PhotoSpiva has become a prestigious event for photographers all over the country.

According to Spiva Director Jo Mueller, PhotoSpiva is “now the oldest, continuously-running competition of its kind in the country. It’s a celebration, a snapshot of contemporary photography. Visitors will see photographs made and printed in many different ways— from “single source” film-based entries to high tech, complex digital renderings and everything in between.”

This year 107 photographers from 29 states submitted 500 images, competing for $2,000 in awards. Internationally-acclaimed photographer John Paul Caponigro judged the 2007 competition. Caponigro selected images for the exhibit and presented a lecture at MSSU March 11.

“Caponigro spoke about art, vision, photography, and the effects of rapidly changing technology,” Mueller said. “Although he had already judged the competition, he didn’t reveal information about his choices for the exhibition.”

Caponigro selected 69 images by 44 artists for PhotoSpiva 2007. Twenty of the featured photographers reside in Missouri, Kansas, or Arkansas, with five from the immediate Joplin area. Seven of Caponigro's own works will be exhibited in Spiva's lobby for the run of the show.

Although the photographers have been notified their work was accepted, awards will not be announced until April 27 at a reception for photographers, their guests, and Spiva members. The American Association of University Women, Joplin Branch, will host the opening. Pianist Robert Ensor is slated to entertain. The evening will also feature a book signing by Spiva member Jacqueline Potter of Carthage who will autograph copies of her new publication, By Surf and By Stream. Books will be available for purchase at Spiva.

Spiva’s Regional Gallery will feature Bellissimo!, prints and paintings with an Italian flavor created by Judith Fowler, Associate Professor of Art at Missouri State University (Springfield). Fowler's use of vibrant colors, gold leaf, and themes rich with references to art history, reflect the impact of a summer printmaking workshop in Florence, Italy. Viewers will spot classical Roman heads, da Vinci angels, and other familiar looking faces, poses, and forms. Bellissimo! opens to the public April 28 and runs through Sunday, June 17.

Additional support for PhotoSpiva 2007 and Bellissimo! is provided by the Freeman R. Johnson Trust, Friends of St. Avips, and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Canon provided underwriting for John Paul Caponigro’s March appearance.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The galleries and Gallery Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday 10am–5pm and Sundays 1–5 pm. The Center is funded through memberships, contributions, and grants. Admission to the Main Gallery is by voluntary contribution.

Local author autographs new book copies at Friday evening art opening

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

It’s spring at Spiva—where imagination lives!