Joplin Arts News (Nov. 23–29)

Posted on Nov 25, 2015 in Holidays, Joplin Little Theatre, Midwest Regional Ballet, Missouri Southern State University, MSSU Spiva Art Gallery, Spiva Center for the Arts, TJ Concert Hall

A Shopper’s Guide to the Joplin Arts10846347_876462169040933_8774741565222085296_n

On the hunt for that perfect gift(s) for your special someone(s)! It’s easy to be overwhelmed! The Joplin Arts community has got you covered. Buy a locally made gift from one of our talented local artisans. Expect one-of-a-kind, unique, special, and quality gifts. Let us help you brainstorm this holiday season…

Looking to gift an arts experience?
Try a class at…

How about a performing arts experience?
Try a ticket to…

Want to gift art made by locals?
Try…

Looking for a special art-buying occasion?
Try a trip to…

Paid Position Open at Joplin Little Theatre

JLT Logo

The Board of Directors of the Joplin Little Theatre (JLT) invites applications for the part-time position of Theatre Manager. The Theatre Manager reports to the JLT Board of Directors and is responsible for programming, operations and maintenance of the Theatre. The essential aspects of the position can be summarized as follows:

1) Increasing the use and strengthening the financial performance of the Theatre;
2) Working effectively with the Theatre’s various constituencies;
3) Improving the marketing and fundraising capabilities of the Theatre.

To read the complete job application, click here.  

Big News from Spiva Center for the Arts

Jacqueline O'Dell

Dr. Jacqueline K. O’Dell

Spiva Center for the Arts is always on the move. Learn more about their new Executive Director, recently announced winners of the annual Membership Show, and a call for entries to PhotoSpiva!

New Executive Director – Dr. Jacqueline O’Dell
Spiva’s Board of Directors is excited to announce the hiring of the new Executive Director, Dr. Jacqueline K. O’Dell. Dr. O’Dell is coming home to Joplin from Springfield, MO, and brings with her many years of leadership, education, and non-profit experience. Her first official day on the job was November 16, 2015 and she will be working with the staff to get acquainted with Spiva’s members, volunteers, and community partners. Welcome, Jacqueline!

Membership Show Awards
Painter Paula Giltner took first place in 2-D and wood artist Steve Doerr took the top 3-D honor in the 68th Annual Membership Show. Giltner received a cash prize for her watercolor and pencil entry, “Perchance to Dream,” and Doerr received the prize for a red coolibah burl wood piece, “Birth of a Black Hole.” James Oliver’s gouache on panel painting, “Crowd (Composition #10),” won him the Barrie Hunt Memorial Award for Outstanding Work in Water Media. His name will join those of previous award winners listed on a perpetual plaque in the Spiva lobby. Area artists competed for $2,700 in cash prizes in a range of mediums. While there were a total 107 entries in the show, some did enter in the display only category. Other award winners were in 2-D were: Michael Gory, D.V.M., “Breaking Out of the Darkness,” acrylic, second place; Andrew W. Batcheller, “Crossing the Mara — Choices and Restraints,” oil on bed sheet, third place; Todd Yeager, “Running with Pan,” pen & ink, charcoal, colored pencil, merit award; Karolee Blanchard, “Daffodils and Lemons,” oil, honorable mention; Taylor Kubicek, “Underwood,”  oil,  honorable mention; and Robyn Cook, “Mama’s Little “Angel,” pencil, Juror’s Recognition Award.

2D

2D Winners – Photo courtesy Joplin Regional Artists Coalition

Other winners in 3-D were: Jeffrey Jones, “The Dream of Flight,” fired stoneware, wood base, second place; Daria Claiborne, “Seriously? You Want Tea?,” clay, third place; Linda Ellard-Brown, “Sake Set,” porcelain, merit award; Debbie Reed, “Life is a Circus,“  clay and wood, honorable mention; M. Justin Hale, “Elementals,” oak wood, honorable mention; and Randy Wright, “Sequel,” sterling silver with dinosaur bone, Juror’s Recognition Award. Juror for the awards was Jessica S. Stout, art program instructor at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M. Prizes were provided by Dr. John C. Windle, a long-time Spiva member and philanthropist. The exhibit, sponsored by Empire District Electric Company, will continue through Thursday, December 31.

3D

3D Winners – Photo courtesy Joplin Regional Artists Coalition

Call for Entries – PhotoSpiva 2016
Spiva is accepting entries for the 40th annual national photographic competition and exhibition of the nation’s longest continually running photo competition. The competition carries $3,000 in cash awards: $1,000 first; $750 second; $500 third; $150 merit (3); $100 honorable mention (3). The juror for this year’s competition is Sean Kernan – author, photographer and filmmaker. The competition is open to all U.S. photographers, amateur and professional. Any photographic process is eligible as long as the work is original and has not been previously shown at Spiva. No three-dimensional entries accepted. Enter online at www.photospiva.org. $40/5 digital entries, $10 each additional image. Entry deadline: 11:59pm CST, January 4, 2015. National exhibition: March 7–May 3, 2015. Questions? Visit photospiva.org, then e-mail klandwerr@spivaarts.org or call 417.623.0183. Sponsored by Freeman Health System, with additional support from Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau and Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. 

Holiday Performances, Events, Classes, and More – December 2015

December-Monthly

The holiday season is a busy time for everyone…we get it. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to be in-the-know about all things Joplin Arts throughout December (did you know we do this every month?! – get excited). Don’t miss any of those holiday performances or classes you were planning on enjoying! Click here to peruse what’s coming up in December.  

Tickets On Sale Now for this Holiday Classic

MRB NutcrackerTickets are selling fast for this holiday classic! Get yours now! The Midwest Regional Ballet brings The Nutcracker to Joplin. The company has delighted audiences around the world with its magical performances, and you do not want to miss their visit to the TJ Concert Hall. Join for a reception with the artists after the show.

There will be two performances:
Friday, Dec. 4 at 7pm
Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2pm

FREE WORKSHOP: TJ is also offering a special FREE workshop with the performers scheduled prior to the Saturday performance. This 1-hour workshop for children in Kindergarten (ages 5 and 6) is scheduled for 10am on Sat, Dec. 5 and is limited to 30 students. Click here to sign up your child. 

Lego Masterpieces at MSSU Spiva Art Gallery

Lego Masterpieces

Masterpiece in a Day: LegoLand will be held from Noon–3pm on Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Spiva Art Gallery at Missouri Southern State University.

Open to all ages, participants will design a plan for their creation and then be given a set amount of time to bring it to life with Legos. Once the projects are completed, judges will determine who has created the best “masterpiece.” Prizes will be awarded.

“We wanted to find a way to get families and kids into the gallery,” said Christine Bentley, associate professor of art and gallery director. “I was watching a documentary about Legos on Netflix and thought a competition would be fun.”

Bentley contacted Lego about the event and the company donated the building bricks for use during the competition.

There is a $5 fee to participate, and about 30 spots will be open. To RSVP, email Bentley at Bentley-C@mssu.edu by Thursday, Dec. 3.

A spring “Masterpiece in a Day” – designed as a plein air painting competition – will be offered next semester.