Spiva Center for the Arts – local artist Jeffrey C. Legg first solo exhibit
A local artist returns to Joplin for a solo showing of his oil medium art works.
The exhibit called “Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light & Shadow” will be on display at the Spiva Center for the Arts in downtown Joplin this weekend through October 25th.
Exhibits Director Shaun Conroy told Newstalk KZRG:
“Jeff Legg is a nationally, if not internationally well known artist in the oil medium. He is considered a master. In fact, this fall, a digital image of his work will be on a flight to the moon and be in a time capsule there. So he is a big deal. And he’s from Joplin.”
Conroy went on to say: “This is his first solo show, believe it or not, because, you know, his work sells as fast as he makes it. So he’s had to set work aside to make this exhibit happen. A lot of new work, and it’s amazing. He is truly a master.”
Spiva presenting 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.