CO-CURATING IS FUN What fun to have Devon Estes co-curate “Radiant 88” with me. We prep for months—beginning with my pitch to the MSSU art faculty. While I keep artCentral’s many discs spinning and Devon makes two trips across the pond to teach a gig in Sweden and to lead a student art trip to Great Britain, with Devon as the faculty point person, we email back and forth refining details. All our “Radiant 88” plans beautifully manifest on a sunny Sunday afternoon as artCentral’s sparkling green front door swings back and forth, welcoming the deliveries of our faculty exhibitors. Frank Pishkur, Kyle McKenzie, Peggy Lierheimer, Ed Outhouse, Amber Mintert, Burt Bucher and Scott Murray bring a curator’s dream—a diverse and provocative collection. |
As Devon hangs artworks, I use the master inventory and create a mail merge that generates a wall label for each piece. With these mounted and the white gallery walls touched up to perfection, “Radiant 88” is ready to open!
Friday night’s Opening was stunning and fun, thanks to the generous underwriting of the Missouri Southern Alumni Association, headed by Brad Hodson, and the creative planning and presentation orchestrated by the lovely Lee Pound with the assistance of Meagan Adams and Penny Richeson. Delightful taste treats by Kathy Gilpin’s Fleur de Lis with boutique libations by Andrew Pennington of Keltoi Winery made for a perfect party. Josie Mai, Spiva’s new director and artCentral member, made a celebrity appearance!
In a continuing spirit of fun, “Radiant 88” remains on view through April 23 during usual weekend gallery hours. For information: (417) 358-4404.