Hardworking Bunch of Volunteers

It is such an honor to chair the Spiva Education Committee. I just felt the need, after last night's meeting (fiesta), to post about this great group of people. Several years ago when I joined the Board of Directors at Spiva Center for the Arts, this committee was essentially non-functioning. Over six years, I've worked alongside the staff and various volunteers to build what is sitting at the table. Karalee McDonald is a capable, generous Director of Education. She was a non-trad art education student of mine at MSSU. She has taken the classes and programs at Spiva to never-seen-before levels. Left to right, we have Beth Lawson (Carthage art teacher), Melanie Miller (Neosho art teacher), Amber (Webb City art teacher), Elaina (Joplin gifted teacher), Karalee, Amber (Creation Station teacher), Martha (ArtLounge and Tween Scene teacher), Nellie Mitchell (Webb City art teacher), and Dani (parent extraordinaire). 

There are always more programs to consider and people to reach out to with the power of art, but we are on our way. I just have to show up now and watch things happen. Bravo!