Spiva's Third Grade Visit

Each February, over 1000 Joplin-area third-graders descend on George A. Spiva Center for the Arts to view the Main Gallery exhibition and make art together based on the exhibit. The past few years, Josie has designed art projects and gallery guides as well as recruited several volunteers to pull this giant event off. The most fruitful aspect is teaming with the Spiva staff in the planning and execution stages. The event weaves third graders/classroom teachers/art teachers with Spiva staff/volunteers with Missouri Southern State University student volunteers. The past two years, Josie has collaborated with local artist Jorge Leyva and Spiva Education Director Karalee McDonald to create large-scale collaborative sculptural and installation works that every third grader had a chance to contribute to. The results have been beautiful and enriching, providing the kids' families and the greater community with educational and fun viewing opportunities. Look what we built together!
For more information about Spiva Center for the Arts, please visit www.spivaarts.org