Spiva Center for the Arts

Brooks-Elizabeth Billings | Mixed Media Artist About the Class:Learn to paint in a non-traditional, high-impact way with squeegee painting techniques. Brooks-Elizabeth will guide students through placing paint strategically and making squeegee pulls that transform simple color application into vibrant paintings with layers of depth. This method is playful, experimental, and produces amazing results—perfect for young […]

Ciera West | Printmaker & Mixed-Media Artist About the Class: Using Picasso’s abstract portraits as inspiration, students will create their own self-portraits using scissors, paper, and colored pencils. Ciera will guide participants through exploring abstract facial features, bold shapes, and expressive color to create a unique work of art. This is the perfect activity for […]

Brooks-Elizabeth Billings | Textile & Mixed Media Artist About the Class:Create sweet memories and matching aprons just in time for holiday baking! In this fun and creative family-friendly workshop, you’ll learn the Zimbabwean paste resist batik technique to design your own unique apron. Just like snowflakes, no two batiks are the same—each apron will be […]

Jane McCaulley | Fused Glass Artist About the Class:Get in the holiday spirit with this festive fused glass workshop! Jane will guide participants through the process of creating a unique glass ornament, from selecting and arranging glass pieces to preparing them for the kiln. Whether you keep it for yourself or give it as a […]

Daria Claiborne | Ceramic Artist About the Class:Design and create a one-of-a-kind butter dish using slab-building techniques and playful patterns. In this hands-on workshop, Daria will guide you through shaping and assembling your dish from clay slabs, then adding textures, embellishments, and decorative details to make it uniquely yours. Perfect for gifting or bringing a […]

Daria Claiborne | Ceramic Artist About the Class:Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and festive pottery class! Using slabs of clay, participants will create their very own funky Christmas tree. You’ll explore hand-building techniques and add texture to make your tree truly unique. Perfect as a handmade holiday decoration or a heartfelt gift, […]

Terri Conklin | Teacher & Gingerbread House Extraordinaire About the Class:Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and festive gingerbread house decorating class for kids! Each child will design and decorate their own gingerbread house with all materials provided. Completed houses can be entered into the Joplin History & Mineral Museum’s Annual Gingerbread House […]

Debbie Southard | Mixed-Media Artist About the Class:Transform plain white canvas shoes into wearable works of art! With Debbie’s guidance, participants will use alcohol ink markers to design their own unique shoes. Then, watch the magic happen as rubbing alcohol is applied to blend and swirl the colors into stunning patterns. Walk away with a […]

Rachel Cabral | Watercolor & Mixed-Media Artist About the Class:Capture the magic of the season in this cozy, creative workshop! Rachel Cabral will guide you through basic watercolor techniques as you design a holiday greeting card featuring a charming snow globe with a winter scene inside. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, you’ll […]