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 made to a notable 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 artist Gloria Gaus’ “Prairie Sky” oil portrait. Gaus is known for her plein air oil paintings. The poster is available for $20 each at the Convention and Visitors Bureau located in the Walton Building at 300 S. Providence Road, with previous years' posters available for $10 each.
The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs honored Jo Stealey for her contributions to the arts with a presentation by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. Since 2015, this recognition has been awarded to individuals who have significantly impacted one of the City’s funded arts organizations.
Jo Stealey is a professor emerita, former head of the fiber program, and founding director for the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri. She teaches workshops, lectures, and curates exhibitions such as "Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America." Stealey 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 included in permanent collections at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., La Escuela de Arte in Granada, Spain; Windgate Gallery at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith; and Springfield Art Museum in Missouri.
Numerous letters supporting Jo's nomination described her as a leader and mentor who is patient, caring, diplomatic, and kind. She continues to provide insights to leaders in Columbia’s arts community while exemplifying dedication to a career in service to the arts.
For more information about this event or other cultural affairs initiatives, visit the City's Celebration of the Arts page.
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