Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann | City of Columbia
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann | City of Columbia
The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs hosted the annual Celebration of the Arts fundraiser for the Columbia Arts Fund last week at the Boone County History and Culture Center. The event was organized by community members Alex and Robin LaBrunerie. During the event, the 2024 City of Columbia Commemorative Poster was unveiled, and a special recognition was given to a member of the arts community.
Since 1992, the City of Columbia has produced an annual Commemorative Poster to highlight the vitality and beauty of Columbia. This year’s poster features Gloria Gaus’ “Prairie Sky” oil portrait. Gaus is known for her plein air artistry, primarily working with oils. The poster is available for $20 each at the Convention and Visitors Bureau located in the Walton Building at 300 S. Providence Road. Previous years' posters are also available for $10 each.
Jo Stealey was recognized by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe for her contributions to the arts community. Since 2015, the City has honored individuals who have significantly impacted one of its funded arts organizations. Jo Stealey's contributions were acknowledged through numerous letters of support highlighting her leadership, mentorship, patience, care, diplomacy, and kindness.
Stealey is a professor emerita and former head of the fiber program at the University of Missouri's School of Visual Studies. She teaches workshops, lectures, curates exhibitions such as "Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America," and is renowned for her sculptural objects, artist books, installations, and mixed media based on basketry processes.
Her work has been exhibited in over 300 national and international exhibitions and is part of permanent collections at institutions including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., La Escuela de Arte in Granada (Spain), Windgate Gallery at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith (Arkansas), and Springfield Art Museum in Springfield (Missouri).
For more information about this event or other cultural affairs initiatives, visit the City's Celebration of the Arts page.
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