Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow

Renowned oil painter Jeffrey C. Legg returns to his roots with Alchemy of Light & Shadow, his first solo exhibition, debuting in his hometown of Joplin, Missouri at Spiva Center for the Arts. This compelling body of work explores the emotional and perceptual interplay between light and shadow, inviting viewers to reflect on the unseen forces that shape what — and how — we see. Each painting is an invitation to pause, to perceive, and to reflect on how memory, emotion, and perception shape our experience of the visible world. In Legg’s hands, light becomes a language of truth; shadow, a vessel of mystery.

Born in Joplin in 1959, Legg began painting at age 12 and went on to study at Atelier Lack and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Now a Master Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America, his award-winning work has been featured in major art publications and is represented in prestigious galleries across the country.

Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow marks both a homecoming and a milestone—a deeply personal exhibition from one of America’s most luminous realist painters. It is a fi tting and profound debut for an artist returning home, bringing with him a world of vision shaped by decades of dedication, curiosity, and quiet wonder.

Alongside this show, Foundations of Light: Early Works by Jeffrey C. Legg will be on display in the Harry M. Cornell Gallery. This special retrospective offers a rare glimpse into Legg’s early artistic journey. Featuring formative works from his youth and academic training, the exhibition traces the evolution of his masterful use of light, shadow, and realism. Influenced by the guidance of his longtime mentor, Darral Dishman, these early pieces reveal the roots of Legg’s celebrated career and the foundational moments that shaped his artistic voice.

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Reception: August 22, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm

A public reception will be held at the Spiva Center for the Arts, offering guests the opportunity to meet the artist and experience the exhibition firsthand.

Jeffrey C. Legg, b. 1959, a Master Painter recognized by the Oil Painters of America (OPA), has dedicated his life to mastering classical drawing and painting techniques. Renowned for his dramatic lighting and sensitivity to mood, his still-life paintings have captivated collectors worldwide, including notable figures such as astronaut Neil Armstrong. Legg’s work has been included in a digital time capsule scheduled to land on the Moon in fall 2025, underscoring the enduring impact of his artistic contributions.

Legg studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Atelier Lack in Minneapolis before transitioning to a full-time career in art by the age of 30. Among his many accolades, Mr. Legg is recognized by the Oil Painters of America as a Master Painter (OPAM). He has received the Gold Medal at the National Oil Painters of America Exhibition, holds signature status with the California Art Club, and is an invited master at Virtuosos of OPA. He has received awards in the Art Renewal Center International Exhibition and was honored in 2021 with two Silver Medals from OPA in both the Eastern and Western Regional competitions. Most recently, he received the Best Still Life award at the Almenara Prize exhibition in Córdoba, Spain.

Peter Trippi, former Director of the Dahesh Museum of Art in New York and current editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, regards Mr. Legg as “one of the greatest still-life painters of our time.”

Constantly expanding his subject matter and experimenting with technique and lighting effects, Mr. Legg approaches his work with fearlessness, painting for an audience of one. As an avid outdoorsman, spending time in nature and painting exclusively from life—have profoundly influenced his work. Mr. Legg shares, “I’ve always been drawn to form and texture with dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. All of it is motivated by my love for nature and the Creator who made it all.”

Mr. Legg has been a regular instructor at the Scottsdale Artist School and has held painting workshops across the US as well as England and France. His art has been featured in many publications including the covers of Art of the West and Southwest Art. His paintings have also graced the pages of Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, The Artist Magazine, as well as various other books and publications. Recently, his work was included in the book “The Art of Vanitas” featuring 45 celebrated contemporary artists.

A member of distinguished organizations such as the Salmagundi Club in New York City, Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, and the California Art Club, Legg’s paintings are exhibited in distinguished galleries across the United States and are highly sought after by collectors both nationally and internationally.

Jeff Legg is represented by Gallery 1261 in Denver, Colorado; Astoria Fine Art in Jackson, Wyoming; Illume Gallery West in Philipsburg, Montana; and Ballard’s Fine Art in Sheridan, Wyoming.