Spiva Center for the Arts announces exhibit,
film premiere, and a chance to win your portrait in oil!

Documentary Subject: Bob Tommey in the AT&T Main Gallery, September 12–October 30

Joplin, Missouri – September 8, 2009. Nationally known artist Bob Tommey is best known for the western art he creates. Born in Ozan, Arkansas in 1928, Tommey spent his childhood drawing incessantly, even in school. The artist says he doesn’t recall seeing his first “real” paintings until he joined the Army and was stationed in Washington, DC, where he explored the galleries and museums, and learned about oils, pastel, and canvas.

In the Army, Tommey constantly sketched his buddies, calling it the greatest practice an artist could have. Following his military service, Tommey moved to Texas and enrolled in classes at the Dallas Art Institute. Six months later he was hired as a teacher. At the time, western art was not fashionable, and museums and art shows often would not admit western-themed work. Out of frustration, Tommey started an art show devoted to the genre, but barred the press from attending. In fact, Tommey makes the distinction that he’s “not a western artist, but an artist who chooses to do western art.”

After years in Texas and a year in Washington State where he lived in the rugged scenery he often painted, Tommey retired to Carthage, Missouri, to concentrate on his art. Locally, he has made a name for himself through his paintings and sculpture. Tommey and Carthage artist Bill Snow created the bronze statue of Marlin Perkins that stands near the library in Carthage Central Park. Tommey also helped found and continues to help direct the prestigious Midwest Gathering of the Artists, an annual show that brings accomplished artists from across the country to Carthage for a 3-day exhibition and sale.

Exhibition opens to the public Saturday, September 12, at 10am
Presented through a generous grant from Debra and David Humphreys, Documentary Subject: Bob Tommey, is an exhibition of paintings and sculpture that will open to the public at Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin on Saturday, September 12. The opening reception for the artist, Spiva members, and guests is scheduled for the following Friday, September 18, at 5:30pm. The exhibit will run through Friday, October 30.

Film Premiere, 2pm, Sunday, September 20
The exhibit coincides with the premiere of Putting the ART in cARThage, a documentary short film about the life and works of Bob Tommey produced by fifth-graders at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School. Thomas Jefferson was one of only 10 schools in the nation selected to participate in “On Location: Spotlight on the Arts in Your Community,” an innovative, hands-on filmmaking project funded by the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Over a two-week period, the TJ fifth-graders learned and practiced the skills necessary to complete the documentary. Their subject was impressed. “It was an honor, of course,” Tommey said. “If I closed my eyes, I would have thought I was in a professional broadcast studio.” And he should know, since he hosted his own hour-long television show in Dallas, devoted to interviewing and sketching celebrities, among them Natalie Wood and Elvis Presley. The premiere of Putting the ART in cARThage will be held at Spiva Center for the Arts, Sunday, September 20, at 2pm. The public is invited to attend.

Live Portrait Painting Demo with Bob Tommey, 2pm, Sunday, September 27
You Could be the Model... and Keep the Portrait!
Tommey is also an admired and respected teacher whose former students say the things they learned from him were instrumental to their own success as artists. At 2pm, Sunday, September 27, Tommey will present a live portrait painting demonstration. Starting with a blank canvas and live model, the artist will paint and lecture, offering his step-by-step approach to capturing a likeness, along with tips for drawing, color mixing, proportion, and composition. The session will be informal, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions. The event takes place at Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 West Third Street in Joplin. Admission is $5 at the door and reservations are requested via email to kscott@spivaarts.org, or by phone, 417.623.0183.

A random drawing from ‘chances to win’ will determine who will model for the demonstration and keep the portrait in oil that Tommey will create. From now through Wednesday, September 23, 2009, anyone 18 years or age or older may purchase a $20 chance and be entered to win their portrait by Bob Tommey. Any number of chances may be purchased. (Please note that chances are NOT tax deductible.) Each $20 chance must be paid in full to Spiva Center for the Arts and received (NOT postmarked) by 5pm, September 23 to be eligible. Chances may be purchased at Spiva during business hours, in person, by mail, or by phone using MC or VISA, or at Cleo’s Picture Framing & Design, 6th & Virginia. Winner will be contacted by 5pm, Thursday, September 24, 2009, and must respond by 5pm, Friday, September 25, or forfeits, and another drawing will be held. Tommey suggests that the winner should be able to sit still for 45 minutes. Complete terms and conditions are available at Spiva upon request.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin. The galleries and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 1–5pm. Admission to the AT&T Main Gallery is by voluntary contribution, with $2 suggested for adults; $1 for children. The Center is closed Mondays and major holidays.