The climate changed in the gallery Wednesday night, June 27th as about 20 people danced and sweated their hearts out! Ruth Stamper, local Zumba instructor, whooped and hollered surrounded by the fantastic ArtWorkers exhibit. Dance and movement are distinct art forms, worthy of a place and space in an art center. Bravo, Zumba-cisers! Thanks for filling the gallery with your energy!
After you’ve seen the show, please fill out this online survey. It is the same survey available on the laptop at the Feedback Hub in Spiva’s lobby.
Thank you SO MUCH for your thoughts!
Each day, the flag shelf installation in Spiva’s lobby is changing! Anyone can bring red, white, or blue non-returnable objects and place them on the corresponding shelves. What can you spot in this photo? Are some items more patriotic than others? What can you contribute to the flag?
What is your role in this exhibit? What kind of art do you make or support?
As an artist I have explored my studio work deeply and simultaneously expanded my interest to create collaborative community-based works. Ken Ferguson, well-known American ceramist use to tell his students regarding their studio work to “dig their well deeper”. I have not only followed that advice but have also used my creative resources/opportunities to irrigate the creativity of others through teaching, community arts projects, writings and outreach to inner city youth for over 30 years. I started as a printmaker in 1976 and for over 14 years focused solely on producing black and white etchings informed by the light of Rembrandt. Today I do not know what I will produce next.
Is making stuff really work for you, or is it play? Why? Why even engage in the arts?
All too many people believe the arts are a secondary activity, yet in my view they are of primary importance. When we attempt to understand our lives we do it by creating a story, an internal narrative, a judgment of values. And this is the beginning of making art. The unreal non-material world of feelings, judgments, thoughts and values is the consequential world that motivates our actions; this is also the world of making art. So art is serious business and it is play serious /play serious/play ………
What is your perception of the ArtWorkers exhibit and your involvement in it?
My involvement is to produce opportunities for others to respond to. This can be an image on the gallery wall or setting up a photo booth for others to have their pictures taken with the masks of different faces covering theirs. Art is only made/completed in relation to the interaction with the viewer.
Any advice for future ArtWorkers?
Everyone is an artworker and everyone is an artist. There is large art, the elite realm of genius and there is the everyday experience of feeling, being and communicating through small creative gestures and actions that feed the resources of all art, high and low.
Dr. Stacey Barelos, piano professor at MSSU, introduced the idea of the prepared piano. She passed around photos of a piano she herself had prepared and performed with; then participants created art from scraps of destroyed pianos and installed them on the gallery stage, all while listening to John Cage’s “Sonatas and Interludes” for prepared piano. Fantastic time for all ages!
Art Duel / Round 1
Artists Michael Strahan v. Margie Moss. One hour to respond visually to the poetry of Walt Whitman.
Art Duel / Round Two
Jason Stamper v. Sandra Conrad. Walt Whitman. See all of the artists finished pieces in Spiva’s lobby.
Sandra puts her hands up: “I surrender!” The Conrad family cheered her on during the duel.
The magical mbira music of local group Kufara was perfect on a lovely summer evening. Thank you!
Local artist educator Josie Mai facilitated a giant Liberty Bell community collage.
Spiva Board President Ann Leach instructs the kids on how to trace and cut their piece for the collage.
Entire families joined in the process. Bravo!
On Friday, June 14th, artist and educator Josie Mai facilitated two classes for ‘Tweens (ages 12-14). The first group came from Joplin’s Boys and Girls Club. The second group was an open sign-up from the Spiva community. Josie had the students browse through huge piles of Disney character coloring pages, enjoying the nostalgia of particular movies and characters, such as Lion King, Finding Nemo, Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore. Students were then led through a discussion and worksheet about identifying personally with the complexities of three Disney characters. For example, Josie included Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, because she feels she “lights the way” for art in Joplin, and that makes her happy.
Some of the worksheet ideas:
I am sometimes like Pumba because I try to be positive about everything and not worry.
I am sometimes like Ariel because I love to explore new things.
I am sometimes like Stitch because I am curious.
I am sometimes like Pooh because I have a big heart.
I am sometimes like Flower because he’s lazy and I’m lazy.
I am sometimes like Thumper because I am a percussionist.
I am like Nemo because I was gone from my dad for a long time and eventually got back with him.
I am sometimes like Woody because I’m always wanting to help people.
Once characters and composition were decided, the mixed media paintings were created with Sharpies, crayons, and gouache.
Special thanks to art educator Olivia Gude, whose original curriculum was adapted for Spiva. Find more about Olivia’s projects here:
https://naea.digication.com/Spiral/Bureau_of_Misdirection–WORKING
What is your role in this exhibit? How are you participating?
I’m sort of an intermediary…I am bringing hundreds of middle school students to the gallery each week in June and they are interacting with the artwork through a special gallery guide that I created. Also, some of my students have paintings on display. My summer school class is creating artwork based on the iconic image of Abraham Lincoln and their work is being incorporated into the exhibit “Finding Lincoln” each week.
Is making and teaching art really work for you, or is it play? Why? Why even engage in the arts?
Making art can be play, but teaching art is definitely work. Sometimes it’s hard for me to turn my brain off; I get a little obsessed with a unit and I’m constantly collecting information and resources to share with my students. Planning a successful art experience for my students requires me to understand timing, age appropriateness, and also a certain amount of patience. It is about giving students all the tools they need to be successful and learn. And that art can be fun, but it is definitely work.
What is your perception of the ArtWorkers exhibit and your involvement in it so far?
The ArtWorkers exhibit is a very interactive experience for the viewer. This is my favorite kind of exhibit. I’m so excited that my students have a chance to go to Spiva for this field trip, and I’m so proud of the paintings that were chosen to be part of the show.
Any advice for future ArtWorkers?
Pushing the boundaries, exploring symbolic American imagery is a powerful idea.
Painted Lincolns: 4-6 grade at Webb City Middle School
Students used a variety of sources as inspiration. Some designed a bobble head on an iPad of Abraham Lincoln as the source for their painting.
To read more about Nellie’s project, please visit:
http://thislittleclassofmine.weebly.com/1/post/2013/06/abraham-lincoln-enrichment-unit.html
What is your role in this exhibit? What kind of art do you make or support?
I consider my role in the Artworkers exhibit to be a contribution of thought and creativity that helps describe one way of life in Southwest Missouri. I have enjoyed working with the other artists involved and hope to continue being a part of a strong network of artistic minds from the area. I make and support art that expresses humanity’s relationship with itself and nature in ways that are often emotional or overlooked.
Is making stuff really work for you, or is it play? Why? Why even engage in the arts?
Art is my passion, my job, and my life; I devoted my career to it over ten years ago and, though often difficult, would never change that decision. Art in all forms is what separates humanity from the rest of the natural world. Only humans have the ability to communicate through texture, line, color, rhythm, and design in a way that expresses deep and meaningful emotions, connecting with others without saying a word. A person’s true self is shown through the way they create or respond to artwork.
What is your perception of the ArtWorkers exhibit and your involvement in it?
The Artworkers exhibit is a wonderful example of the diversity of artists in the area; I am honored to be a part of such an outstanding group of artistic individuals. We have all collaborated pieces of ourselves to create a show that invites and persuades the public to look closer at art, as well as issues addressed on the show (such as nature, family, and politics).
Any advice for future ArtWorkers?
For all the future Artworkers: follow your passion, it’s what you will be best at; find the beauty in all things, so that you can express it to those who would otherwise miss the opportunity; and forget the word “can‘t”, because you can do whatever you set your mind to.
Spiva Center for the Arts 
