“Our Town: Joplin” is the name, 575 third-graders are the artists, and a studio room with the walls covered in corrugated cardboard donated by Arrow Box Company is the inspiration.

The mural was drawn by Spiva Center for the Arts employee Jeff Youngblood, who is also a senior studio art major at Missouri Southern. Youngblood said he wanted to exhibit places such as schools, parks, and well-known locations around Joplin. Roads, trees and cars were also incorporated into the drawing to make it more realistic.

The children had a hands-on art experience during their field trip to the Spiva Center where they contributed their real or imagined components of Joplin to the mural. Two weeks and 15 schools later the mural was finished.

“It works in with the third grade curriculum in the arts,” said Linda Salzer, information desk secretary.

The R-8 school district third-graders along with Thomas Jefferson and College Heights’ third-graders put hard work and thought into their projects.

“It’s kinda an inspiration for me and I’m usually into sports, and this gives me a chance to draw and express how I feel in my drawings,” said Darrin Guillory, McKinley Elementary school third-grader.

Featured in the main gallery, is “In the Company of Outsiders” the newest addition to the Spiva Center. Outsider artists Jessie Montes, Robert Eugene Smith, and David Kontra gave the children some ideas.

The non-traditional methods and materials they use, such as cardboard paintings and three-dimensional sculptures constructed of corrugated cardboard are on display.

“Their project coincides with the project that we are now doing, it all ties in together,” said Youngblood.

The mural will remain at Spiva until Sunday, Feb. 25 so the students can bring in their parents and show off their artwork. City Hall will then have the mural on display. “It feels good because my artwork will be up where people can see it,” said Keisha Grunden, McKinley third-grader.

The Spiva Center for the Arts is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Donations for admission are appreciated. Spiva Arts Center is located at Third and Wall in downtown Joplin and parking is free on the south side of the building.