George A. Spiva Center for the Arts has issued a call for entries for Challenge 4: The Brilliant Birdhouse, the Center’s fourth area artists’ challenge.

The challenges began in 2003 as a way to raise money for the center and participating artists. Artists embellished furniture for the first two challenges. Have a Seat (2003) was restricted to chairs; Artcessories, The Fun Art of Furnishings (2004) included any piece of furniture that weighed less than 100 pounds. The 2005 challenge, Tempest in a Teapot, featured more than sixty 2- and 3-dimensional artist-made teapots.

Brilliant Birdhouse entries will be displayed with Birds of a Feather in Spiva’s Regional Gallery beginning March 8, 2008. A private collection of John J. Audubon prints will form the backdrop for the challenge, which is limited to 3-dimensional works in any medium.

According to Spiva director Jo Mueller, the 100-pound limit still applies, and works that can be suspended are preferred. “Huge or petite, traditional or completely unconventional, these pieces will represent beautiful, strange, humorous, and amazing ‘takes’ on the classic backyard birdhouse,” she added.

Two awards will be given in this year’s challenge. The Artists’ Choice Award for Best of Show will be determined by popular vote of participating artists. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by tallying the votes of Spiva visitors.

Completed entries for Challenge 4: The Brilliant Birdhouse must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 26. The challenge is open to all ages, and all area artists. Interested artists should contact Spiva to request an entry form before February 20.

Challenge 4: The Brilliant Birdhouse opens to the public Saturday March 8 and runs through April 11.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. Galleries and Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10–5, and Sunday 1–5. Admission is by voluntary contribution. The Center is closed Mondays and major holidays.

Download application

For more information or to obtain a prospectus and entry tag, 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


See you at Spiva–where imagination lives!