JOPLIN, Mo. — The Friends of St. Avips presented one of their largest checks ever to the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts yesterday evening – $120,000. The total is the one of largest donations that The Friends of St. Avips has raised over their 60 years. The idea of St. Avips is simple – 40 women volunteers put on a gala event each year to raise money for Spiva.
St. Avips Chair, Mindy St. Clair said, “Thank you so much to our underwriters, patrons, and everyone who helped to make the 2023 Friends of St. Avips Ball a wonderful evening to support the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. I was so honored and excited to be hosting, along with the special ladies of Friends of St. Avips, our first event at the Cornell Complex. “An Evening in Paris” was truly a special evening, from the gorgeous decorations to the delicious dinner, to the fabulous art selections from local artists.”
“Over the last 60 years The Friends of St. Avips has been a valued partner for the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts,” Said Heather Lesmeister, Spiva Executive Director. “Not only for the significant funds they have raised – but the awareness they bring. Last night we celebrated a milestone year as they presented a check for $120,000. Mindy and the ladies of St. Avips are servant leaders in our community. Our team has enjoyed working with them. Thank you to all those who contributed, it will do so much good for our art community through the work we do at Spiva. On behalf of those we serve, we are so very grateful.”
Originally incorporated as the Ozark Artists Guild, George A. Spiva Center for the Arts has presented visual arts experiences to the four-state region since 1948.
George A. Spiva – businessman, philanthropist, and lover of the arts – helped establish Joplin’s first art center in 1958. Founded on the belief that opportunities in the arts should be available to all, the Center continues to flourish through the generosity of members and friends who share that vision.
The mission of Spiva is to celebrate the creative experience. Our vision is to be a community catalyst, joining culture, community, education, business, and the arts as one, endeavoring to be a model for art centers across the nation.
