Welcome to Joplin Regional Artists Coalition

December 1st marks the beginning of a new rotation for the JRAC member's show.  The Joplin Regional Artist's Coalition's ongoing exhibit at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, 320 E. 4th Street, will display the art works of Helen Kunze, Merlen White, and the pottery of Sue Colgin.

Helen Kunze:  "I am drawn toward the everyday scenes or juxtapositions of life, be it funny, entertaining, or aesthetically irresistible."  After working the field of illustration and design for 15 years, Helen and her husband, Randy adopted their 2 children.  The new mom continued to pursue her art.  Now loving oils and painting outdoors, Helen helped found "Daytrippers SWMO", a plein air group that meets to paint 'on the spot' in designated places.  She has won several awards, has painted in charity events such as the Wildcat Glades Bridge Party and the Autism Home Tour in Joplin.  She is a 7 year board member of artCentral, a member of Spiva and SRAC.  Her art work can be scene at "Cherry's Framing" and "Drawn Together" by appointment, both in Carthage, MO, where the artist resides.

Merlen White:  "I simply cannot look at this world around us without wanting to draw."   Usually Merlen's work does not convey a conscious message. Rather, the Joplin artist paints in series until there is nothing left to put on canvas. She admits she has made some feeble attempts at expressing her unfulfilled desires by using individual colors within non-objective compositions. Merlen's technique is described as loosely drawn and is currently working in watercolor.  Her art career spans 40 plus years and continues to evolve.

Sue Colgin:  "Making pottery is my form of meditation.  I intend to explore further into the mysterious properties of clay and all it holds in store for me."  After motherhood, Sue followed her passion and spent 6 years at MO Southern State College falling in love with clay.  Sue has found that throwing and building the clay relaxes her, allowing her to work out frustrations, and thus, creating new accomplishments such as her favored teapots.  The Carl Junction artist is also a member of Midwest Clay Artists, Spiva, and artCentral.  Her pottery can be found regularly at the Joplin Third Thursday Artwalks and other local venues such as charities.

JRAC is an organization founded in 2010 by visual artists to network fellow artists to more effectively engage in cultural, economic, and educational artistic activity within the Joplin Region.

JRAC's mission is to promote, strengthen, and advocate for the visual arts and artists.  The JRAC rotating member's show, supported by and in conjunction with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, is an ideal venue created from JRAC's mission.  The exhibit closes Thursday, February