The George A. Spiva Center for the Arts was pleased to host representatives from General Mills, to thank them for their ongoing support of Spiva’s annual Third Grade Collaborative Project.
Isabel Quepóns, Plant Manager, and Jon Wisdorf, Plant Logistics Manager (and Spiva board member), were able to observe 42 Carl Junction Elementary students as they learned to look at art, conduct a scavenger hunt, and create art of their own. General Mills has sponsored the Third Grade Collaborative for many years, awarding Spiva almost $50,000 in program grants since 2007.
Spiva Board President Steve Graddy presented Ms. Quepóns with a plaque commemorating the 2020 program, and recognized General Mills for their outstanding philanthropic role in the community.
“We’re proud to sponsor the Third Grade Collaborative through our foundation’s Hometown Grant program, as it gives approximately 1,800 southwest Missouri elementary students a unique opportunity to make and experience art,” said Isabel Quepóns, General Mills Plant Manager. “It’s important to our employees that we make a meaningful impact in our community.”
Many of General Mills’ management team serve on local non-profit boards, including NALA, Habitat for Humanity, and Joplin Workshops, Inc. The Joplin facility generates between 20-30 grants for regional community organizations every year.
Spiva Education Director Sarah Clements said that this is one of the Education Committee’s most rewarding projects and takes about five months of planning to implement. The volunteer committee consists of teachers, parents and artists. Approximately 1,800 elementary students from both public and private schools in SW Missouri are able to attend.
The project was created around Patty Carroll’s “Anonymous Women: Camouflage & Calamity” photography exhibit, which will remain on display through March 7, 2020.
Spiva Center for the Arts was founded in 1947, and is
located at 222 West 3rd Street, Joplin, Missouri. Hours of operation are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, or by appointment. The upcoming event schedule and information on classes can be found at www.spavaarts.org.
