Happy New Year! Another year full of arts and cultural activity has come and gone – and Connect2Culture (C2C), Joplin's community arts agency, has captured these memorable moments every step of the way. With high hopes for 2022, let’s look back at some of the moments in 2021 we'll never forget. . .
➤ NEW FACES
Say Hello To...
The Joplin arts and cultural community welcomed several new faces over the past year. Left to right from the top: Joplin Little Theatre hired Ann Lile as their Office Manager. Jesse Koza was named Heartland Opera Theatre’s General Director. Pro Musica welcomed Emlyn Johnson as Interim Executive Director. Lindsay Gagnon joined Downtown Joplin Alliance’s staff as Joplin Empire Market Coordinator. And Joplin Public Library hired Hazel Overman as their Makerspace Assistant. Make sure to say, “hello!”
➤ NEW PUBLIC ART
"Look Up and Smile"
Creating a mural four stories above a busy downtown street in the middle of an unbearably hot summer is a tall order – and one artist Eric Haun was ready and eager to undertake. His second large-scale mural, "Look Up and Smile" took more than 100 hours to complete and features 161 unique butterflies. The mural’s purpose, Haun says, is to enhance Joplin's flourishing creative community as well as inspire Joplin residents and, as its name suggests, give them a reason to smile. Similar to his mural titled "161," this public artwork also honors the 161 lives lost in the 2011 tornado.
Location: 524 South Main Street (West Side)
"The Mural at Bookhouse Cinema"
Patrons who frequent Bookhouse Cinema can expect to be transported to other worlds, either through the big screen or the cinema’s colorful new mural by artist Limbo. The artwork, visible from Broadway Street, was completed in spring 2021 and, much like the films shown at Bookhouse, is open to interpretation. “I was given creative freedom, so I did a simple collage of the style of work I like to do,” says artist Limbo. “Other than that, it’s in the eye of the beholder as far as the meaning of the mural.”
Location: Bookhouse Cinema (715 E Broadway St)
Rotary Sculpture Garden Additions
The more the merrier! Several new sculptures were donated to and installed in the Joplin Rotary Sculpture Garden in late October. The recent additions ("Sunshine Every Day," "Wishing on a Star," and "Bridge of Brotherhood") are just three of 15 bronze sculptures area residents can enjoy while strolling through Mercy Park.
Location: Mercy Park (28th St and S Picher Ave)
Pop-Up Pieces by Lanaya Gore
Blank stretches of concrete in Joplin parking garages became canvases for new public art thanks to Lanaya Gore. A local artist and college student, Gore completed a handful of simple yet poignant paintings throughout downtown Joplin in spring/summer of 2021. Can you find them?
Locations: Throughout downtown Joplin
Joplin Hearts
Joplin received a little extra love this year through a series of paintings by artist Eric Haun. Using a larger-than-life stencil, Haun painted multiple hearts on the walls of local organizations and businesses, each one with a different color combination. With more planned for the future, Haun’s ambitious goal is to incorporate the pieces of public art into a downtown scavenger hunt!
Locations: Throughout Joplin
➤ TRANSITIONS
Joplin Little Theatre Office Manager Retires
Cecie Fritz served as Office Manager for Joplin Little Theatre for many years. In the spring of 2021, Fritz retired from her longtime post, where she oversaw day-to-day operations, organized events, ran the box office, and helped ensure the community theatre thrived. Hers is truly a career worthy of a standing ovation!
Joplin Arts Fest
In 2020, The Kiwanis Club of Joplin stepped down as the primary organizer of Joplin Arts Fest, leaving the annual event in need of a leading organization. Downtown Joplin Alliance volunteered to pick up where the Club left off – and rose to the challenge. With 30+ artists, eight performing artists, food trucks, and 1,500+ attendees over the span of two days, Joplin’s premier, fine arts festival's future continues to look bright.
Stained Glass Theatre Joplin’s Future
When the 2011 tornado destroyed their facility, Stained Glass Theatre Joplin (STGJ) purchased and converted a former church building on Joplin’s Annie Baxter Avenue into their home. In April, the community theatre announced they were looking for a new venue, one that would provide additional parking and backstage space, more accessibility, and continued growth. Those interested in assisting SGTJ with their search for a new building can email amanda@sgtjoplin.com.
➤ NEW HAPPENINGS
Downtown Map
After receiving maps of nearby towns and attractions, Eric Haun was inspired to make something similar for Joplin. The local artist and business owner spent more than 80 hours creating a hand-drawn map of downtown Joplin. The finished product, available in venues throughout the downtown area, includes local attractions, businesses, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and even pieces of public art. Pick up a copy today!
New Books About The Connor Hotel
Five years of research and writing came to fruition in mid-March when Dr. Chad Stebbins released two books about Joplin’s Connor Hotel and its namesake. The novels explore the rise (and unexpected fall) of the Connor Hotel, its significance in the city and state, as well as the man responsible for its construction. Both "Joplin’s Connor Hotel" and "Tom Connor: Joplin’s Millionaire Zinc King" are available for purchase on Amazon.
Show Me STEAM: Physics Fun Pop-Up Booths
Thanks to the Creative Learning Alliance (CLA), area children were able to participate in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning throughout the year. CLA, an organization dedicated to developing a science center in Joplin, distributed free Show Me STEAM: Physics Fun Bags to local kids at a variety of community events. Each bag contained a hands-on, STEAM experiment to be conducted at home!
Celebrate Joplin
With Missouri’s bicentennial, Route 66’s centennial, and Joplin’s upcoming 150th birthday, 2021 and the years to follow are packed with reasons to celebrate. The Joplin Celebrations Commission, or Celebrate Joplin, helped area residents commemorate each occasion with an iris show, a paint-your-own iris cookie event, ice cream socials, the Missouri Bicentennial Quilt exhibit, and more. With more events planned for the future, the committee is far from finished!
New Addition to MSSU Art Collection
This summer, Missouri Southern State University’s permanent art collection received nearly 20 additional pieces, all donated by the family of the late Dr. Mel Mosher. Mosher, a former MSSU chemistry professor, and his wife collected the Inuit carvings over the course of 50 years. The soapstone sculptures will reside on campus for students and visitors to admire and enjoy for years to come.
JoMoCon
Pop culture enthusiasts, rejoice! This August saw the first JoMoCon, a digital fandom convention celebrating anime, science fiction, and gaming. With fan panels, guest appearances, cosplay contests, and more, the virtual convention was a great way to geek out while raising money for Hearts and Hammers, an organization that provides home repairs for elderly, disabled, and low-income community members.
New City Branding
Following Downtown Joplin Alliance’s efforts to rebrand the downtown area in 2020, The City of Joplin began developing a new branding kit this year. Community members were invited to discuss existing and proposed brand designs during July’s Third Thursday. If adopted, the new brand will strengthen DJA's endeavors to create one, cohesive look for marketing the entire city, as well as the organizations and businesses that call it home.
➤ COLLABORATIONS
Joplin Area Audience Assessment Survey
In early 2021, Connect2Culture (C2C) developed and administered the Joplin Area Audience Assessment Survey, an electronic survey intended to gauge community interest in attending in-person events and alternative programming. With the help of local arts and cultural organizations, C2C collected responses from 535 participants and released its findings to help guide organizations on when/how to move forward as pandemic restrictions lifted.
"An Evening with Langston Hughes"
Joplin Little Theatre and The Langston Hughes Cultural Society joined forces in February to honor Joplin-born poet Langston Hughes. A poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, columnist, and leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes' accomplishments and ideas are astounding, but not always properly recognized. Together, the two organizations exposed Joplin to Hughes' brilliance during An Evening with Langston Hughes, an intimate, one-night performance featuring 30 of Hughes' poems read aloud by community members.
Live From The Sheldon Virtual Performances
This spring, Connect2Culture (C2C) announced it would be presenting a virtual concert series in partnership with The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri. The free, monthly series included three performances featuring folk artist Sarah Jarosz, percussionist Zakir Hussain, and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. Each concert was recorded live at The Sheldon and made available to watch online for one week. Emily Frankoski, Director of Connect2Culture, stated the partnership was an excellent opportunity to safely provide entertainment for C2C's patrons in the stead of live performances.
Missouri Art Now Exhibit
Missouri celebrated its 200th birthday this year with a multitude of events and activities across the state, including Missouri Art Now: A Bicentennial Celebration. A juried, traveling exhibition, Missouri Art Now featured artwork from 60 Missouri artists and demonstrated the creativity, talent, and culture of our state and its people. The exhibit, which was on display at Spiva Center for the Arts this summer, was a collaborative effort between the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau; the Hannibal Arts Council, Hannibal; Post Art Library and Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin; and the Albrecht-Kemper Museum, Saint Joseph.
“Missouri Music at 200” by American Wild Ensemble
Joplin residents were given another chance to celebrate Missouri and its bicentennial in August during Pro Musica and Wildcat Glades' "Missouri Music at 200" program. Attendees relaxed on the bank of Shoal Creek in Wildcat Park and enjoyed a free evening of original music from Missouri composers, all performed by the American Wild Ensemble.
The Joplin Toad - Issue 3
Connect2Culture (C2C) and The Joplin Toad teamed up this summer to create a stellar guide to 16 of Joplin's outdoor murals. The guide, which featured information from C2C paired with photos from the Toad, appeared in Volume I, Issue 3 and is available online and in venues across the city.
➤ ANNIVERSARIES
Joplin History & Mineral Museum
Est. 1931
The Joplin History & Mineral Museum celebrated a huge milestone in May when it turned 90 years old, making it one of the oldest museums in the state of Missouri. The museum was established in 1931 when Joplin residents wanted to recognize the area's lengthy mining history. The anniversary was commemorated with a public event that included cake, punch, and (of course) a brief history lesson!
Post Art Library
Est. 1981
Post Art Library (PAL) is a nonprofit organization honoring the legacy of Joplin philanthropists Dr. Winfred L. and Elizabeth C. Post. Since 1981, this special library and art gallery has provided public programs, resources, and exhibits that promote regional arts, history, and architecture – all subjects the Posts loved. Here's to another 40 years, PAL!
Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc.
Est. 1871
A nonprofit organization, Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the elegant homes that once belonged to Joplin's most influential families. These tangible pieces of the past allow area residents to step back in time and experience our city's history. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Murphysburg invited the public to a street fair, complete with historic property tours, live music, food and drinks, scavenger hunts, reenactors, exhibits, and more. Talk about a birthday bash!
Karen's Dance Studio
Est. 1971
Karen's Dance Studio (KDS) has been a staple in local dance education for half a century, instilling and encouraging a passion for dance in their students since 1971 – and with no plans to stop any time soon! KDS students and teachers celebrated their milestone anniversary in early May with multiple recitals featuring dancers of every age and style. What better way to celebrate?
The Joplin Globe
Est. 1896
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Since its establishment in 1896, The Joplin Globe has been recording and distributing each new chapter in Joplin's story. From physical papers in driveways to online articles, The Globe has delivered news to thousands of area readers on a daily basis for an astounding 125 years.
Minnie Hackney Community Service Center
Est. 1946
Originally called the Negro Service Council, The Minnie Hackney Community Service Center was founded in 1946 to serve Joplin's Black community as well as minority travelers looking for information, food, or a safe place to spend the night. Seventy-five years later, the Center continues to serve the Joplin area through memberships, civic classes, recreational activities, services for the elderly, resources for the underprivileged, and more. To celebrate its enduring legacy, volunteers and organization leaders spread the word about the Center and distributed tasty treats during October's Third Thursday!
➤ NOTABLE EVENTS
Cornell Complex Groundbreaking
Representatives of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Connect2Culture, and Spiva Center for the Arts, alongside approximately 125 community members, gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Cornell Complex on Monday, February 1st. After remarks from project leaders, attendees stood on a spray-painted footprint of the soon-to-be Complex, outlining where the building would stand as leaders broke ground on the construction site. Pompoms waved, a drone flew overhead, and all counted down in anticipation of this long-awaited milestone!
Sonie Ruffin Exhibits
At the beginning of this year, Spiva Center for the Arts had the honor of working on two exhibits with former American Jazz Museum curator Sara Sonie Joi Thompson Ruffin. Route 66: Crossing Cultural Lines, an exploration of the Mother Road's ability to connect cultures and communities, and Journey: Legacy East Town, an exhibition of textile artwork that shared accounts and contributions from Joplin's East Town, were both curated by Ruffin and honored two significant aspects of Joplin's culture.
C2C’s Arts & Cultural Preview
After last year's virtual event, Connect2Culture (C2C) was ready to once again host its Joplin Area Arts & Cultural Preview in-person. The annual C2C Roundtable, which gives local arts and cultural organizations the chance to tell their story and share what they have planned for the year ahead, was held on August 14th at Joplin Public Library and featured 30+ organizations! A recording of each presentation can be found on C2C's YouTube channel in perpetuity.
Missouri Bicentennial Celebrations
In honor of Missouri's bicentennial, cities across the state hosted a variety of events and celebrations – and Joplin was no exception. Traveling art exhibits, ice cream socials, and live performances helped Joplin citizens commemorate our state's 200th birthday in style.
Preschool Storytime at George Washington Carver
The staff of George Washington Carver National Monument welcomed toddlers and their families to the park in late October during their first ever Preschool Storytime program. Ten tots joined park rangers for a story and craft that explained what a national park is and why these sites are special. With more planned for the future, this is just one of many storytimes to come!
"p-i-e-c-e-d TOGETHER" by Jo Mueller & Lori Marble
p-i-e-c-e-d TOGETHER began in 2020 when artists Jo Mueller and Lori Marble started planning a collaborative exhibit at artCentral Carthage. The exhibit would feature new, complimentary works from both artists. However, when Mueller unexpectedly passed away in April, the exhibit also became a way for Marble to honor her dear friend. For roughly two months, artCentral's galleries were filled with 80 pieces of artwork, some from Marble and others previously created by Mueller, culminating in a powerful tribute to a beloved artist and arts champion.
National Poetry Month Events Return
Poetry lovers, rejoice! After a hiatus in 2020, National Poetry Month events returned to Joplin this April. Connect2Culture, Post Art Library, and Pub Hound Press joined forces once again to promote all poetry-centric activities during the month of April, as well as host their popular open-mic poetry night and distribute free poetry on National Poem in Your Pocket Day.
➤ PERFORMANCES THAT POPPED
JOMO Jammin'
Connect2Culture
Rather than taking a break, Connect2Culture (C2C) decided to take its duties as a performing arts presenter to the next level and spent this summer preparing and presenting a new, free concert series. The series, dubbed JOMO Jammin’ In July, celebrated the return of live performances while spotlighting a wide range of local talent. C2C held five different concerts featuring eight different local artists at Mercy Park on Saturdays in July and August. Despite a few unusually rainy evenings, the performances drew a total of 1,600+ attendees.
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Dream Theatre Co.
In April, Dream Theatre Co. brought audiences an unusual love story about pain and its ability to bring people together. Gruesome Playground Injuries, a story about "scar-crossed lovers" whose physical and mental suffering allows them to repeatedly cross paths, was a definite crowd-pleaser and sold out during its opening night.
The Opus 76 Quartet
Pro Musica (and friends)
Pro Musica partnered with Post Art Library (PAL) and the Joplin Public Library to bring a free performance of The Opus 76 Quartet from Kansas City to the library. The quartet performed a children's program (Bach-a-Bye Baby) in the morning with author/narrator Leia Barrett, followed by an afternoon performance featuring classical favorites by Mozart and Dvorak. Capacity was reached for each offering (nearly 100!) and concert-goers were sent home with a PAL Holiday Tea Take-Home kit to enjoy.
Oz
Midwest Regional Ballet
After pandemic-related delays, Midwest Regional Ballet was finally able to take audiences down the yellow brick road in May. The dance company's production of Oz reimagined the classic movie The Wizard of Oz as a contemporary dance performance, complete with choreographed dances set to funky, punk-rock covers from the film's soundtrack.
Opera and Operettas
Heartland Opera Theatre
Residents of Carthage, Neosho, and Joplin were treated to some of opera's most beloved compositions during Heartland Opera Theatre's Hits from Opera and Operetta LIVE! in May. Professional singers performed in outdoor venues in all three cities over the course of three days, allowing audiences to enjoy opera for free.
Clue
Joplin Little Theatre
This fall, the characters from the classic board game Clue came to life on Joplin Little Theatre’s stage. Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, and Mr. Green all appeared in Clue: On Stage, a high-energy, slapstick comedy that challenged audiences to put their skills of deduction to the test!
Shrek The Musical
Theatre at Joplin High School
Joplin High School's stage was transformed into the quirky, fairytale land of DreamWorks' Shrek in June during the school's annual summer play. Not only did Shrek: The Musical mark the first time an ogre took the stage at JHS, but the performance was the first to include students from other, area high schools. The cast and crew welcomed young thespians from Joplin, Carl Junction, and Webb City High Schools.
The Enchanted Bookshop
Stained Glass Theatre Joplin
This September, Stained Glass Theatre Joplin presented The Enchanted Bookshop, a play about a struggling bookstore whose owner receives some unexpected assistance. Unbeknownst to the owner, characters from books on the store's shelves come alive each night and resolve to help save their home. Not only did the production require a massive cast and crew (41 actors in all!), two sold-out runs prompted an extra weekend of encore performances. Bravo!
Live Music In Big Spring Park
Neosho Arts Council
Four State residents were given a chance to soak in some sun and great local music during Neosho Arts Council’s performing arts series. Live Music In Big Spring Park featured a wide array of area artists and bands over the course of four performances. With opera, folk music, harpists, and more, each show offered something for everyone!
➤ AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Pathfinders
Chris Wiseman | Nanda Nunnelly | Lori & Jeremy Haun
Each year, the local lifestyle magazine, J MAG, honors “Pathfinders” – community members who have achieved remarkable feats and “made it possible for others to follow in their footsteps.” This year, representatives of Joplin’s arts and cultural community made up four of 12 Pathfinders: Chris Wiseman, Curator at Joplin History & Mineral Museum; Nanda Nunnelly, President of Minnie Hackney Community Service Center, Connect2Culture board member, and founding board member of Langston Hughes Cultural Society; Lori Haun, Executive Director of Downtown Joplin Alliance (DJA) and preservationist; and Jeremy Haun, comic book writer and artist, DJA volunteer, and preservationist. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!
From Joplin High to Jefferson City
Kayla Chambers
2021 was a banner year for Joplin High School’s art department. Less than one year after launching a new digital art class, senior student Kayla Chambers created a stunning digital piece that was selected by Senator Bill White for the prestigious State Senate Hall Exhibit. The exhibition, on display in the State Capitol, highlights Missouri art programs and the artwork produced by their students. Way to go, Kayla!
First MSSU Arts Management & Leadership Certificate Program Graduate
Jade Henning-Cantrell
Introduced in fall 2020, Missouri Southern State University’s Arts Management and Leadership Certificate Program teaches students how to operate and oversee an arts organization. This spring, Jade Henning-Cantrell, a local artist and administrator of George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, was the first to complete the program. Congratulations, Jade!
Missouri Featured Artists
F.C. Shultz | Natalie Wiseman | Andrew Batcheller
At the end of 2020, the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) began recognizing and promoting artists across the state through their Missouri Featured Artists Program. Each month, a group of artists are selected, spotlighted, and each given a $300 stipend/license fee to feature their work on MAC's website. Joplin's arts and cultural community was well represented among this year's featured artists with author F.C. Shultz (February), artist Natalie Wiseman (March), and artist Andrew Batcheller (December) all being recognized.
Missouri Library Association's Public Relations Achievement Award
Joplin Public Library
This October, the Missouri Library Association, a nonprofit that supports and promotes Missouri libraries and their staff, recognized Joplin Public Library (JPL) for their excellent public relations. JPL was selected to receive the Public Relations Achievement Award from hundreds of libraries across the state. Well done!
The American Prize in Opera Performance & Directing
Heartland Opera Theatre
Joplin’s own opera company, Heartland Opera Theatre, demonstrates time and time again their productions are truly must-see performances. Last year’s Puccini Double Bill, featuring single acts from Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, received honorable mention in opera performances from The American Prize and placed third in the same competition’s directing category. Definitely an applause-worthy achievement!
Missouri's Historic Places In Peril
Joplin Union Depot
Missouri’s Historic Places in Peril program calls attention to endangered statewide, historic resources threatened by deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, imminent demolition, and/or inappropriate development. The Joplin Union Depot, which was built in 1911 but has not been occupied since 1969, was added to the list in October, thanks to the efforts of Post Art Library, other local organizations, and historic preservationists.
National Register of Historic Places
Joplin Memorial Hall
On October 7th, Joplin Memorial Hall was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. For nearly 100 years, the building has served as a venue for community gatherings, events, performances, and concerts while honoring community members who served in World War II as well as the Vietnam and Korean Wars. A partial roof collapse in the summer of 2020 put the future of Memorial Hall into question. But with this new distinction and a bond issue for the building’s renovation slated to appear on the April 2022 ballot, preservationists are hopeful that Memorial Hall will remain an integral part of the Joplin community.
Jo Mueller Gallery
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex
In April, local arts advocate and former Spiva Center for the Arts director Jo Mueller passed away due to health complications. Her unwavering support of Joplin’s arts and cultural community was a testament to her love for the arts – one that will be remembered. Shortly after her passing, Connect2Culture named the rental gallery space in the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex after Mueller. The Jo Mueller Gallery will serve artists and arts organizations for years to come, just as its namesake once did.
Joplin Historic Preservation Awards
Nancy Morton | Lori and Jeremy Haun | North Heights Neighborhood Group
Each May, communities across the nation celebrate Historic Preservation Month to support the preservation of historically significant places. As part of this month-long celebration, the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC) awards individuals and organizations in Joplin for their contributions to area historic preservation. In June, JHPC honored Nancy Morton with the Leslie Simpson Award, Lori and Jeremy Haun with the Jeff & Carolina Neal Award, and the North Heights Neighborhood Group with the Murphsyburg Award. Corner Greer & Associates was retroactively awarded the Jeff & Carolina Neal Award since an awards ceremony was not held in 2020.
➤ IN 2021 C2C HAS...
- Collaborated with 40+ arts and cultural organizations
- Sent subscribers biweekly and monthly emails detailing arts and cultural activity in the Joplin area
- Given voice and identity to the Joplin area arts and cultural community through social media posts; arts-centric press releases; monthly updates on KSN's Living Well Show, KOAM Morning News, in ShowMe The Ozarks Magazine, The Joplin Globe, 4 States Live, KRPS; etc.
- Promoted 1,000+ arts and cultural events offered (in-person and online) in the Joplin area
- Strengthened the arts and cultural community through C2C Roundtables benefiting arts organizations/businesses, cultural institutions, artists, and citizens
- Developed the Joplin Area Audience Assessment and polled 520+ participants to gauge public interest in post-quarantine programming
- Partnered with The Sheldon in St. Louis to present three free virtual performances
- Formed a Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Task Force and developed initiatives and guidelines for Joplin's arts and cultural community
- Hosted a one-off performance featuring Farewell Angelina at Joplin Empire Market's Courtyard
- Presented JOMO Jammin' In July, a free, outdoor concert series celebrating eight different local musicians
- Held the Sixth Annual Joplin Arts & Cultural Preview in person with nearly 40 organizations participating
- Launched a new website for Connect2Culture, with improved functionality and design
- Revived C2C's Curtains Up Series after a year-long hiatus, bringing live, quality entertainment back to Joplin
- Raised over $15,000 on Giving Tuesday to benefit operational costs
- Reached pledges surpassing $16 million for the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex coming to downtown Joplin in 2022
- AND MORE...
Watch the Sixth Annual Joplin Arts & Cultural Preview via C2C's YouTube! Complete with timestamps to help you navigate to your favorite organizations.
Update on the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex
2021 was a monumental year for the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex!
Representatives of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Connect2Culture, and Spiva Center for the Arts, alongside approximately 125 community members, gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Cornell Complex on February 1st. After remarks from project leaders, attendees stood socially distanced outlining a spray-painted footprint of the soon-to-be Complex. Pompoms waved, a drone flew overhead, and all counted down in anticipation of this long-awaited milestone. Thank you to all who came! Relive the special moment with our official groundbreaking ceremony video below.
In June, our official time lapse camera began capturing all of the onsite action. Videos continue to be released monthly and have captured milestone moments in the building’s construction. Highlights include foundation work, concrete pours, plumbing and electrical installation, the erection of steel, masonry, roof decking and installation, floor protection, interior and exterior framing, and more.
Five short months after the groundbreaking, the official "Topping Out" Ceremony was held on July 30th. Representatives from the Cornell Complex, Connect2Culture, Spiva Center for the Arts, Crossland Construction Company, Inc., CGA Architects, Joplin City Government, media outlets, and others watched as the final steel beam of the Complex was set, marking a major milestone in its construction.
Despite minor set backs and supply chain hiccups, the Cornell Complex is on track and still set to open late 2022. To date, a total of 326 individuals, businesses, foundations, and community organizations have committed $16,989,344 – 97% of the expanded $17.5 million goal! All donations, big or small, are still needed to help reach the expanded goal. Join us!
Thank you for supporting C2C and #JoplinArts!
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All featured photography courtesy Connect2Culture, except...
- Ann Lile – courtesy Missouri Southern State University
- Jesse Koza – courtesy Heartland Opera Theatre
- Lindsay Gagnon – courtesy Downtown Joplin Alliance
- Hazel Overman – courtesy Joplin Public Library
- Look Up and Smile by Eric Haun – courtesy Eric Haun and Jon Koucky
- The Mural at Bookhouse Cinema by Limbo – courtesy Austin Clay
- Joplin Rotary Sculpture Garden Additions – courtesy Joplin Rotary Sculpture Garden
- Joplin Little Theatre Office Manager Retires – courtesy Cecie Fritz
- Joplin Arts Fest – courtesy Downtown Joplin Alliance
- Stained Glass Theatre Joplin – courtesy Stained Glass Theatre Joplin
- Downtown Map – courtesy Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe
- New Books About The Connor Hotel – courtesy Celebrate Joplin and Missouri Southern State University
- Show Me STEAM: Physics Fun Pop-Up Booths – courtesy Creative Learning Alliance
- Celebrate Joplin – courtesy Celebrate Joplin and Visit Joplin MO
- New Addition to MSSU Art Collection – courtesy Missouri Southern State University
- JoMoCon – courtesy Jomocon Committee
- New City Branding – courtesy The City of Joplin and Downtown Joplin Alliance
- An Evening with Langston Hughes – courtesy Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe and Biography.com
- Missouri Art Now Exhibit – courtesy Spiva Center for the Arts
- “Missouri Music at 200” by American Wild Ensemble – courtesy Music in the American Wild
- The Joplin Toad - Issue 3 – courtesy The Joplin Toad
- Joplin History & Mineral Museum – courtesy Joplin History & Mineral Museum
- Post Art Library – courtesy Post Art Library
- Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. – courtesy Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. and Visit Joplin MO
- Karen’s Dance Studio – courtesy Karen’s Dance Studio
- The Joplin Globe – courtesy The Joplin Globe and Wikipedia
- Minnie Hackney Community Service Center – courtesy Minnie Hackney Community Service Center and Nanda Nunnelly
- Cornell Complex Groundbreaking – courtesy Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex
- Sonie Ruffin Exhibits – “Strictly Jazz” by Ed Dwight and “Outside My Picture Window / Mayfair 33502” by Sara Sonie Joi Thompson-Ruffin courtesy Spiva Center for the Arts
- Missouri Bicentennial Celebrations – courtesy Joplin Public Library and Missouri State Historical Society
- Preschool Storytime at George Washington Carver – courtesy George Washington Carver National Monument
- "p-i-e-c-e-d TOGETHER" by Jo Mueller & Lori Marble – courtesy Missouri Arts Council and artCentral
- Gruesome Playground Injuries – courtesy Allison Dodge
- The Opus 76 Quartet – courtesy Pro Musica
- Oz – courtesy Midwest Regional Ballet
- Opera and Operettas – courtesy Heartland Opera Theatre
- Clue – courtesy Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe
- Shrek The Musical – courtesy JHS Theatre Department
- The Enchanted Bookshop – courtesy Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe and Stained Glass Theatre Joplin
- Live Music In Big Spring Park – courtesy Neosho Arts Council
- Pathfinders – courtesy J MAG
- From Joplin High to Jefferson City – courtesy Joplin Schools Art Department
- First MSSU Arts Management & Leadership Certificate Program Graduate – courtesy Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri Library Association's Public Relations Achievement Award – courtesy Joplin Public Library
- The American Prize in Opera Performance & Directing – courtesy Visit Joplin MO
- Missouri's Historic Places In Peril – courtesy Jill Sullivan and Post Art Library
- National Register of Historic Places – courtesy Post Art Library
- Jo Mueller Gallery – courtesy The Joplin Globe and Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex
- Joplin Historic Preservation Awards – courtesy Emily Frankoski