JOPLIN, MO— George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, a non-profit exhibition, education, and cultural art center announces the launch of Studio 55, a vibrant and inclusive art class tailored exclusively for adults aged 55 and up. The class begins on May 3rd, 2024, and will continue every Friday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
Studio 55 aims to foster creativity, provide a supportive community, and ignite the artistic passions of older adults. This initiative promises to be an enriching experience for participants, offering a dynamic blend of structured classes and open studio sessions.
Every other week, artist Jordan Murdock-Thompson will guide participants through a diverse range of structured art classes, covering various mediums and techniques. From painting to sculpture, participants will have the opportunity to create new projects and learn new skills. All supplies will be provided for these lessons.
On alternating weeks, artist Jesse McCormick will lead Studio 55’s open studio sessions. These sessions offer a more flexible and exploratory approach, allowing participants to work on personal projects, experiment with different mediums, or seek guidance as needed. For this studio experience, Spiva will provide a limited range of supplies to use and experiment with, or students may bring their own materials.
“Through this new program we are focusing on older adults – giving them opportunities to feel the joy of immersing oneself in the process of making,” said Heather Lesmeister, Spiva Executive Director.
“We are striving to engage participants with the arts through opportunities to belong, to learn something new and to feel a sense of accomplishment. This is just the start. We will continue to develop and deliver quality programs of relevance to the fastest growing segment of our society. We are honored to do that at Spiva.”
While Studio 55 is offered free of charge thanks to the generous support of the Joy Spiva Cragin Charitable Trust, donations are greatly appreciated to sustain and enhance this invaluable community resource. A suggested donation of $10 per class ensures the continuation of this program and helps to cover the cost of materials and instruction.
To ensure a seamless experience, participants are encouraged to register in advance through Spiva’s website. Registration is simple and can be completed online.
Studio 55 provides a welcoming environment for both seasoned artists and beginners. No prior experience is necessary, just a passion for creativity and a willingness to learn. For more information and to register, please visit www.spivaarts.org/classes.
Studio 55 is sponsored by the Joy Spiva Cragin Charitable Trust and American Media Investments.
