Spiva Center for the Arts to host three new exhibits

JOPLIN, MO — George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, a non-profit exhibition, education, and cultural art center, is excited to announce three upcoming exhibits: “77th Annual Joy Spiva Cragin Membership Show”, “Sean Fitzgibbon: What Follows is True”, and “JRAC Presents: Upon Closer Inspection”.

The opening reception for the exhibits will be held on Friday, November 1, at 5:30 PM in the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, sponsored by Southwest Missouri Bank.

Sponsored by Liberty Utilities, the Annual Joy Spiva Cragin Membership Show is a proclamation of our members’ hearts, minds, skills, and passions. Spiva’s members present their best work in this annual showcase of regional talent.

Over 100 area artists provide pieces in several mediums, including ceramics, watercolor, wood, oils, metal, photography, and mixed media. Awards are presented for adults and youth categories. The exhibit runs from November 2 – December 20 in the Freeman Health System Main Gallery.

Fitzgibbon’s exhibit highlights his original, stand-alone works, as well as original pages from his recent graphic nonfiction book, What Follows is True: Crescent Hotel. This 240-page, fully painted nonfiction graphic narrative explores one of the strangest and most controversial legends in Arkansas history.

This book has made him a 2021 Artists 360 recipient and a 2022 recipient of the Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship. This book also made the Arkansas Gems list for 2023. The poster of which was revealed at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. The exhibit runs from November 2 – December 21 in the Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery.

“JRAC Presents: Upon Closer Inspection” features meticulously crafted and imaginative works of art utilizing a mere foot of space or less. The exhibit celebrates the art of compact perfection, proving that artistic brilliance knows no bounds. The exhibit runs from November 2 – December 20 in the Jo Mueller Reserve Gallery.

Spiva Center for the Arts is inside the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex

221 W. 7th Street | Joplin, MO 64801 | (417) 623-0183 | Open Tue-Sat, 10 AM – 5 PM

www.spivaarts.org.