JOPLIN TO HOST TWO MAJOR ART EXHIBITIONS IN 2025: Watercolor USA and Jeffrey C. Legg: Alchemy of Light and Shadow
JOPLIN, Mo. — The 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 August 22 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, giving art enthusiasts the opportunity to meet the artists and experience the artwork firsthand.
Watercolor USA Makes Historic Move to Joplin for 2025 Exhibition
For the first time since its founding in 1962, Watercolor USA—the preeminent national 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.
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.