THE JOE BEELER MEMORIAL FUND at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts

Spiva Center for the Arts accepts contributions
for The Joe Beeler Memorial Fund

A memorial fund has been established at Spiva Center for the Arts in honor of Joplin native
Joe Beeler who passed away April 26 in Sedona, Arizona.

Hometown friends and admirers recall Joe being a warm-hearted, friendly fellow who loved animals, rode horses, and devoured books about Indians, cowboys, and frontier life. Speaking for the group of Joplin residents calling themselves “The Friends of Joe Beeler,” Joy Spiva Cragin remembers Beeler “…having a dream, a vision of becoming an artist, and of painting pictures of an earlier time he felt was worth remembering.”

Beeler’s art reflects his passion for depicting the life of cowboys and Indians and his extensive knowledge of the American West. His accomplishments brought him well deserved recognition and international acclaim. As one of the four original founding artists of the distinguished Cowboy Artists of America, Beeler helped secure Western art as a respected American art form.

“The Friends of Joe Beeler” intend to raise $20,000 between now and October, 2007, when Spiva will feature Beeler’s sculpture in the Main Gallery in conjunction with American Exploration, an exhibit of prints from the A.G. Edwards Corporate Art Collection. Concurrently in the Regional Focus Gallery, Joe Beeler’s American West will display a selection of the artist’s drawings, paintings, and prints.

The ongoing memorial to Beeler and his contribution to Western art is endorsed by his family. The fund will provide yearly support for art study and development, guest artist workshops, or exhibits
of Western art, with the goal of placing additional Beeler originals in Spiva’s permanent collection.

Those wishing to contribute to The Joe Beeler Memorial Fund at Spiva Center for the Arts may do so by contacting Director Jo Mueller at 417.623.0183. Spiva is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Download Donor Card

Spiva programs are made possible with financial assistance from The Friends of St. Avips and the Missouri Arts Council, a State agency.