When Post Art Library Executive Director Jill Halbach learned of the Midwest-themed book for this year’s Joplin Reads Together, her mind went to the art people could make based on their Midwest experiences.
The idea also comes from Halbach’s personal fascination with the region.
“It's just so unlike other areas of the country,” she said. “We have a little bit of all the other areas here, because I think we have so many people come to the Midwest from the edges of the country.”
From now until March 16, interested artists have the opportunity to create a piece of art that showcases what the Midwest is to them. The artwork must fit on a 12”x12" canvas, provided by the library while supplies last, and can be any medium. It can also stem from a big or small idea.
“It could be something as small as a memory of driving through one of the states in the Midwest, to having grown up in the Midwest or just visiting a different area of the Midwest,” Halbach said. “The Midwest itself is so vast that you could have a completely different experience in one area versus another.”
According to Halbach, the first Joplin Reads Together was accompanied by a community exhibit. It focused on found objects, so people created pieces of art out of items they found. The Post Art Library also partners with the program in other ways when an exhibit is not possible, and has done other community exhibits before.
“I think it's a really good opportunity for people who are creative and like to create things who don't necessarily consider themselves artists,” Halbach said of community exhibits. “I think it's a great opportunity for artists, of course, to get work and a show, but it's also a good opportunity for people who just want to see what that's like.”
The opening ceremony for the exhibit will be at 5:30 p.m. on March 27. More information about the rules can be found on the Post Art Library website.
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