“Mirror #101," Regan Avery

PhotoSpiva 2007, the 31st annual national photography competition founded by Spiva Center for the Arts, enjoyed a crowded opening reception Friday evening, April 27.

More than 150 amateur and professional photographers, guests, and Spiva members eagerly perused the 69 photo-based images that comprise the exhibition. Refreshments were provided by the American Association of University Women, Joplin Branch. Pianist Robert Ensor provided the entertainment.

The highlight of the evening was the revelation of this year's PhotoSpiva winners who shared $2,000 in prizes. Internationally-acclaimed photographer John Paul Caponigro judged the 2007 competition. Starting with 500 images submitted by 107 photographers, Caponigro selected the prize winners from the work of 44 photographers included in the exhibition.

Making the presentations, Spiva Executive Director Jo Mueller announced that Regan Avery of Cos Cob, Connecticut, was the First Place winner for two seascapes entitled “Mirror #101," and “Mirror #106.” Larry Chait of Chicago, Illinois, took Second Place for images shot from a moving car: "sun1505,” “sun1514,” and “sat1618.” Gloria Baker Feinstein of Kansas City, Missouri, was the Third Place winner for “Children in Front of Chalkboard,” an inkjet print of Ugandan children.

Two photographers were recognized with Honorable Mention awards: Avery Danziger of Columbia, Missouri, for "Cabo de Gata #3" and “Cabo de Gata #5,” shot at night on the beach in Spain; and Don Wolfe of Overland Park, Kansas, for “Lights No. 9” and “Lights No. 10,” nighttime images of urban holiday lights.

Merit Awards went to four photographers: Rachel Blaser of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for "Octopus" and “St. Christopher Lost”; Krista Brennfoerder of Joplin, for "Bird Watchers" and “Through Stained Glass”; Allen Palmer of Newton Highlands, Massachusetts for “Jolly Green Giant” and “Clowns and Melons”; and Bob Wells of Louisville, Kentucky, for images from his Alaska–Water and Ice series, "Matanuska River 3 of 5" and “Worthington Glacier Runoff 1 of 5.”

PhotoSpiva 2007 is sponsored by David and Debra Humphreys with additional assistance from the Freeman R. Johnson Trust, Friends of St. Avips, and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. The exhibit continues through June 22.

PhotoSpiva 2007

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