Spiva Center for the Arts

10/29/2026

It's getting cooler out - time to cozy up inside and get your craft on🍂📚🎨
Explore all classes at https://spivaarts.org/classes-camps/ ❤

We've got weekend classes ready to keep you inspired and creative - from figure drawing and watercolor bookmarks to ceramic christmas gnomes and stained glass ornaments to get you into the holiday spirit (never too early, right?!👀)

10/27/2026

More views from the opening reception 🎉

Explore all new exhibits now through December 2026✨
spivaarts.org/exhibition

10/26/2026

Another incredible opening reception. Thank you to all of our Spiva members and exhibiting artists who joined to celebrate the beginning of our final exhibits of 2026. These shows are open now through December.🥳

Special thanks to:
• Liberty Utilities Central for sponsoring the 79th Annual Membership Show
• Sharon & Lance Beshore and Leggett & Platt for sponsoring Andy Thomas: The Artful Journey (Andy Thomas Fine Art)
• Southwest Missouri Bank for sponsoring Joplin Regional Artists Coalition: Liminal Spaces & Thresholds as well as the Beyond the Frame activity cards for Andy Thomas's exhibit
• Dot Willcoxon for sponsoring the opening reception
• Olivia Timmons for jurying the Membership Show and Dr. Rebecca Burrell for jurying the JRAC exhibit
• The Neighborhood Kitchen for the lovely catering
• Missouri Eagle for the refreshing beverages
• The Wild Flower for providing gorgeous floral arrangements
• Brent Skinner, Jade Henning, Brian-David May, and Jordan Murdock-Thompson for assisting us in getting these exhibits up and looking remarkable
• All of our volunteers that make these receptions run smoothly

You can explore what's currently on view at spivaarts.org/exhibition
Our galleries are open Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm & Second Sundays, 1-4pm🍂🎨🩷🏺

10/24/2026

Four new exhibits, four new worlds to explore🎉
All galleries open now! Explore more at spivaarts.org/exhibition 🌟

• 79th Annual Joy Spiva Cragin Membership Show
130 Spiva members are showing off their incredible work. This annual show is a proclamation of our members’ hearts, minds, skills, and passions.

• Andy Thomas - the Artful Journey
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of Andy Thomas’s remarkable career in one place. Whether you are drawn to Western landscapes, American history, wildlife, or simply exceptional storytelling through paint, this exhibition promises an engaging journey through the work of this most accomplished contemporary narrative artist.

• Joplin Regional Artists Coalition: Liminal Spaces & Thresholds
This exhibit invites viewers to linger in discomfort, to notice the strange stillness of in-between places, and to consider their own lives as a series of thresholds crossed, half-crossed, and still approaching.

• Fresh Perspectives
Featuring nine recently graduated MSSU painters.

10/24/2026

Congratulations to the Joplin Regional Artists Coalition winners!
JRAC: Liminal Spaces & Thresholds is exhibiting October 24 - December 18, 2026.
Sponsored by Southwest Missouri Bank
JRAC's juror is Dr. Rebecca Burrell.

Juror's Choice | Shawn K. Riley, "Portals"
1st Place 2D | Linda Teeter, "Beumaris Castle, Wales, 1282"
1st Place 3D | Kevin Audley, "100% Chance of Rain"
2nd Place 2D | Andrew Batcheller, "Moon City"
2nd Place 3D | Sadie Stieler, "Parade Horse"
3rd Place 2D | Des Hernandez, "Portals"
3rd Place 3D | Melody Knowles, "Protector"
Honorable Mention | Marta Churchwell, "What is Now in the Past Was Once in the Future"
Honorable Mention | Mary Lakey, "In the Web"
Honorable Mention | Luke Smith, "In the Realm of the Wermedillo"
Honorable Mention | Keren Lowenstein, "Steam Punk Tromp L'oiel No.1"
Honorable Mention | Kim Kissel, "Jesse McCormick"

10/24/2026

More winners from the 79th Joy Spiva Cragin Membership Show! Exhibiting Oct 24 - December, 2026.
Exhibit sponsored by Liberty Utilities Central
Awards supported by the Dr. John C. Windle Trust

This year's juror for the Membership Show is Olivia Timmons, Assistant Professor of Art at Pittsburg State University Department of Art 🌟

Check out the 3D category winners:
1st Place 3D | Bruce Blackketter, "Southwest Theme"
2nd Place 3D | Fred Mintert, "Duck, Duck, Duck, Vase!"
3rd Place 3D | Justin Hale, "Untitled"
Merit Award 3D | Richard Reed, "Lidded Vase Cone 10"
Honorable Mention 3D | Kyeong-Yeon Kim, "Cloudburst"
Juror's Recognition 3D | Des Hernandez, "Delicate Light"

10/24/2026

Congratulations to the winners and all exhibiting artists in the 79th Joy Spiva Cragin Membership Show! Exhibiting Oct 24 - December, 2026.
Exhibit sponsored by Liberty Utilities Central
Awards supported by the Dr. John C. Windle Trust

This year's juror for the Membership Show is Olivia Timmons, Assistant Professor of Art at Pittsburg State University Department of Art 🌟

Check out the 2D category winners:
1st Place 2D | Kim Kissel, "Glorious Day"
2nd Place 2D | Cat Stone-Stecklein, "Solitude"
3rd Place 2D | Andrew Batcheller, "The Nautilus and the Grace of Levitation "
Merit Award 2D | David Greenwood-Mathe, "Red Shoes"
Honorable Mention 2D | Jade Henning, "Last Night Out"
Juror's Recognition 2D | Mary Thornton, "Food for the Masses"

10/22/2026

The incredible Andy Thomas / Andy Thomas Fine Art is exhibiting in the Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery from October 24th until December 31st✨ This is truly a show you are NOT going to want to miss.

Want to directly from Andy Thomas about his work? Attend his Artist Talk on Sun, Nov 8 at 1:30pm - $10 suggested donation

Thank you to Sharon & Lance Beshore and Leggett & Platt for sponsoring this exhibit👏

A journey in the world of art began at Artcentral in Carthage, Missouri.

That is where we met established artists like Bob Tommey, Lowell Davis, Sam Butcher and Bill Snow. They all had their own style and loved to show their art.

Artcentral is no longer in that old grocery store building but is a thriving Art complex still in Carthage.

It was also at this time that we met the cornerstone of Art Central Sandy Higgins.

There is no way to describe Sandy. Her energy, her love for Art, her love for Artists and human beings.

Andy and I have to always be thankful for Sandy. She knew right from the start that Andy could make it in the larger art world.

We also had Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin that was wonderful. Today Spiva is a much larger complex dedicated to not only art but performance. art.

Long ago, Andy had a one-man show at the Spiva Center. It was amazing and, again, we had another sprinkle of confidence that we were on the correct journey.

It is truly phenomenal that these two entities gave us knowledge, exposure and a kickstart. Yes, we did run with it, and we are thrilled to bring this last local Joplin show back to the beginnings.

The show runs October 24th until December 31st. Find a moment to bring your children to see where you can start and how far you can go.

Dreams can become a reality with practice and failure in between accomplishments and improvements.

Art Legends, Inc.
Lowell Davis
artCentralCarthage
Spiva Center for the Arts
Cherry's Custom Framing and Art Gallery
Andy Thomas

10/22/2026

Join us on Saturday, November 7, at Spiva Center for the Arts in downtown Joplin, MO, for an engaging workshop designed for medical and healthcare professionals, social workers and therapists, EMTs, first responders, and related professionals.🌟

Led by Missouri Southern State University in collaboration with Spiva, the workshop introduces Integrated Arts Activities and Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and explores how the visual arts can enhance observation, critical thinking, communication, analytical skills, and empathy in professional education and practice.

Training draws on work from the Visual Arts in Healthcare Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, along with related workshops at Harvard Medical School.
CE credit is available for respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, social workers, and EMS/first responders through Missouri Southern State University.

Cost: $80
Location: Cornell Complex, 212 W 7th Street, Joplin, MO
Register at https://spivaarts.org/event/observational-empathy-workshop-mssu-spiva/

10/18/2026

We want to see you at Creativity Unlimited!🥳🎨
The next one is Sat Oct 24! Sign up today at https://spivaarts.org/event/creativity-unlimited-with-mrs-jade-2/

Creativity Unlimited is a welcoming, process-based art class designed specifically for neurodivergent young adults. This class prioritizes creative freedom, confidence-building, and self-expression over finished outcomes. Participants are encouraged to explore materials and ideas at their own pace in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Rather than following a single step-by-step project, students make choices about how they work, what they create, and how deeply they engage—fostering autonomy and personal connection to the creative process.

What age is “young adult”?
That’s intentionally up to you. This program was designed without a fixed age range so that parents and caregivers can decide whether Creativity Unlimited is the right environment for their child or loved one. You know them better than any number does and we are excited to help them feel empowered in creating in our classroom with us.

What to expect:
– A calm, adaptable studio environment
– Open-ended projects using a variety of materials
– Emphasis on enjoyment, exploration, and self-expression
– Guidance and support tailored to individual needs
– No prior art experience is required, and all supplies are provided.
– A space where creativity is about expression, not perfection—and every artist is supported exactly where they are.

Ages: Young Adults (Broad Range | Ages 10-30 | Students under 17 should attend with a parent/caregiver/guardian)
Instructor: Jade Henning-Cantrell
When: One Saturday a month
Time: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Where: Spiva Center for the Arts located inside Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex | 212 W. 7th Street, Joplin, MO 64801
Cost: $15