Illustrated by Richard Courtney

Buzzlewic coloring books by Tricia Courtney

Dragonfly Persian by Dale Chihuly

The annual Perspectives Fine Art Gallery, Exhibition and Sale is taking place at the Joplin Holiday Inn this weekend to benefit Spiva...and you’re invited! The two-day event on Saturday, May 5, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, May 6, 1-5pm, features original artwork in various media by 49 artists...along with a couple of very special events.

Husband-wife creatives Richard & Tricia Courtney are the guest presenters or this year’s Artist Talk & Demo, a free event beginning at 1pm both days.

Richard Courtney, a freelance illustrator and artist who has worked in book publishing since the late seventies, is one of the illustrators for Thomas the Tank Train Engine books, a very popular children’s character for quite awhile.

Tricia’s creative endeavors range from fine art oil paintings to graphic design. As a painter, Tricia has been a frequent exhibitor in the annual Midwest Gathering of the Artists and a winner of awards and accolades. She is also the creator of the Land of the Buzzlewics and all the warm, lovable, one-of-a-kind creatures that live there. Tricia’s current Buzzlewic project is a series of coloring books that will be introduced to the public at the Perspectives weekend.
 
For those of you who are thrilled by the Studio Edition glass by Dale Chihuly in Spiva’s Gift Shop corner showcase, here’s your chance for a sneak preview of the 2007 Studio Editions. The four new beauties —Royal Raspberry Seaform Pair, Celtic Emerald Persian Pair, Dragonfly Persian,  and Honeysuckle Yellow Basket Set —have arrived from Seattle and will be unveiled to the public this weekend, too. Each artwork is signed by Dale Chihuly and comes with its own plexiglass display vitrine and hardcover book with additional photographs of related works in glass by this popular, internationally recognized artist. We'd love to include a visual of each in this email, but that would ruin the breathtaking experience of seeing them beautifully displayed at Perspectives. So, come out to the Holiday Inn this weekend and see them for yourself! A Spiva representative will be on hand to provide pricing and ordering information. 
 
Of course, there will be an abundance of original artworks in every style, medium, and subject matter  by the 49 fine artists exhibited during the weekend. Many of the artists will be around to chat with folks about their work, and 40% of every artwork purchase goes to support Spiva (and tax deductible as allowed by law). Check out the following list and see if your favorite artist(s) are on it. And if not, go anyway, and meet an artist or two that could become your “new favorites.”
 
Karolee Blanchard
Diana Bray
Jim Bray
David Burt
Barbara Courtney
Tricia Courtney
Marv Dahmen
Lowell Davis
Tom DeCleene
John Fitzgibbon
Perry Fleming
Annabelle Seelye Fuhr
Della Hagedorn
Suzi Higgs Harrison
Joy Hensley Felts
Greg Huff
Kim Kissel
Brad Kleindl
Jane Kleindl
Nicholas Kyle
Donna Laurita
Jeff Legg
John P. Lasater, IV
Pam Leisenring
April Leiter
Josie Mai
Jesse McCormick
Patricia Moline
Becky Moore
Cole Moss
Margie Moss
Bill Perry
Percilla Penner
Theresa Rankin
Debbie Reed
Richard Reed
Laura Reilly
Donna Roberts
T. Crowe Semler
Rhona Shand
Mary Ann Soerries
Jack Sours
Bob Tommey
Linda S. Teeter
Laura Van Buren
Margaret Roach Wheeler
Michael Walmsley
Todd Williams
Frank Young
 
See you this weekend at Perspectives!
 
 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.

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!