In August 2025, George A. Spiva Center for the Arts will welcome two landmark exhibitions, solidifying its place as a premier destination for visual arts in the region – Watercolor USA and Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow.
Spiva members and exhibiting artists will enjoy a reception and awards presentation for both exhibits, to be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, giving art enthusiasts the opportunity to meet the artists and experience the artwork firsthand.
“Spiva is honored to host Watercolor USA and to welcome Jeffrey C. Legg back to his hometown with such a personal and profound exhibition,” said Heather Lesmeister, executive director of the Spiva Center for the Arts. “These exhibitions reflect our commitment to presenting world-class art in Joplin.”
Watercolor USA Makes Historic Move to Joplin for 2025 Exhibition
Cover image: L.S. Eldridge – Hashtag Harmony
For the first time since its founding in 1962, Watercolor USA—the preeminentnational exhibition of water media painting—will be held outside of Springfield, Missouri. With the Springfield Art Museum undergoing temporary closure for construction, Spiva will proudly host Watercolor USA from August 23 to October 11, 2025, at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in downtown Joplin.
This year’s exhibit was juried by Paul Jackson, a prolific artist and ambitious world traveler, who is one of today’s most versatile and visible contemporary watercolorists. Honored by the American Watercolor Society with signature membership at the age of 30, Paul is also a Signature member of the National Watercolor Society and an Honor Member of the Missouri Watercolor Society.
Watercolor USA 2025 is generously supported by Arvest Bank and Davis CPA Group, LLC.
“As the Museum made plans for construction, we knew we had to find a way for Watercolor USA to continue,” said Nick Nelson, director of the Springfield Art Museum. “We’re pleased to announce that Spiva will be home to this national tradition in 2025.”
Jeffrey C. Legg Returns Home for Alchemy of Light & Shadow
Running concurrently, Spiva will also present Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow, a solo exhibition by nationally renowned oil painter and Joplin native Jeffrey C. Legg. On view in the Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery from August 23 to October 25, 2025, the exhibition marks Legg’s homecoming and a major milestone in his acclaimed career. Known for his masterful exploration of the fragile interplay between illumination and obscurity, Legg’s work invites viewers into a world of memory, emotion, and visual poetry.
Born in 1959, Jeffrey C. Legg has been a Master Signature Member of the prestigious Oil Painters of America (OPAM) since 2004 and holds Signature Status with the California Art Club. Known for his dramatic lighting, his work has captivated collectors worldwide, including astronaut Neil Armstrong. His art will even be included in a digital time capsule scheduled to land on the Moon in fall 2025, underscoring the enduring impact of his artistic contributions.
Legg’s extensive accolades include the 2024 “Best Still Life” at the Almenara Art Prize in Spain and the 2012 OPA Gold Medal Award. Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, regards Mr. Legg as “one of the greatest still-life painters of our time.” He is a sought-after educator, having taught workshops worldwide and served as an awards judge for major art organizations. His work is exhibited in prestigious venues like the Gilcrease Museum and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow is made possible through the incredible support of Sharon and Lance Beshore, longstanding leaders in the Joplin arts community and instrumental supporters of the Cornell Complex, home to Spiva Center for the Arts.
www.spivaarts.org | www.jefflegg.com | www.watercolorusahonorsociety.org
