Kick Off National Arts & Humanities Month at Various First Thursday ArtWalk Venues on October 2

Urban Art Gallery invites the community to kick off National Arts & Humanities Month before First Thursday ArtWalk on October 2, 2025. At 4:50 pm at City Hall (6th and Main Streets), Mayor Keenan Cortez will present a proclamation of celebration before attendees are invited to explore downtown and see art at various venues, including:

• The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (Home of Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts) – Located at 212 W. 7th Street.
  • Guests are invited to attend the opening celebration of Midwestern Nights: Photographs by Robin Bailey, Jim Hill, and Dave Jordano, which explores the after-dark world of Midwest cities and towns. Each artist brings their own vision of the projects 36 scenes of night-time photographs.
  • Internationally recognized, award-winning painter Jeffrey C. Legg will also present Alchemy of Light & Shadow as well as Foundations of Light. Both collections consist of his early work. Jeff was born in Joplin, moved away, and is now back for his first solo exhibition. His compelling body of work explores the emotional and perceptual interplay between light and shadow.
  • Guests can also check out the Watercolor USA exhibition, a national competition continuing a tradition that was established by Springfield Art Museum since 1962.
• Joplin Avenue Coffee Company – Located at 506. S. Joplin Avenue
  • On display is Connie Miller’s contemporary styled portraits in Crazy About Color. The paintings will be up through the month of October and Connie will be on site during the ArtWalk so guests can meet and talk with her.
  • Also in the back room will be an artisan market with photographer Todd Calhoon, Ashley Williams, Addison Hobson, Tia Hall, and satirical comic Dan Trogdon.
  • Live music will also be featured at this venue thanks to Eric and Erica French.
• Urban Art Gallery – 511 S. Main Street
  • This venue will be hosting contemporary painter Eric Beezley through the month of October in his show Dreaming the Dream. Come meet the artist and see colorful abstracts while enjoying live music by Tough Luck Chuck.
• Club 609 – 609 S. Main Street
  • Meet Nancee Daniels as she presents her one-of-a-kind oil paintings featuring hand-embellished prints nestled into re-purposed vintage frames that complement each piece in the exhibit A Toast to Fall, which will be on display throughout the month of October.
• The Main Event – 611 S. Main Street
  • Guests are invited to enjoy an artisan market featuring Suzanne Hope, Carl Chitwood, Misty White, Chuck Catlett, Brooks-Elizabeth Billings, and The Moxied Up group, who will be handing out information and coloring sheets to high Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Also on-site will be live music by Kole Dorris.
• The Boutique Marketplace – 613 S. Main Street
  • Enjoy this pop-up gallery and retail shop as they host artisans Tina Arnall, Andy Wilson, Connie DeFazio, and Debbie Judy.

For more information about this month’s ArtWalk, please click here or contact Linda Teeter at 417.438.5931.

Reference:

Linda Teeter, Owner
Urban Art Gallery
417.438.5931
Urbanartjoplin@gmail.com