Arts & Culture
One of the best ways to get to know a new town is through its local art. Joplin’s visual and performing arts community is thriving, so it won’t take much time for you to discover a lot about this city.
Trace the history of Joplin by taking a tour of its many murals. These sweeping works of art highlight our town’s mining origins, as well as capture the unwavering faith of our citizens as we progress toward expanding our home town, both in the present and in the future.
To see local artwork on a smaller scale, visit one of the many studios downtown. Better yet, try your hand at making your own art. Custom decorate a ceramic platter at Firehouse Pottery, or paint a picture to freshen up your living room wall at RSVPaint, where you can also sip on a glass of Merlot while you let your creativity loose.
If you enjoy experiencing art in a festival setting, be sure to check out Joplin Arts Fest, held every September, or First Thursday ArtWalk, a smaller monthly festival that’s held year-round.
Sample an array of performing arts here, too, from opera and classical music, to plays and musicals at Joplin Little Theatre and Stained Glass Theatre.
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Joplin Arts District
North-south B-12th Streets, east to west Pennsylvania - Wall Avenues Joplin, Missouri 64801 (417) 438-5931
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Joplin Hearts
Coming across one of the Joplin Hearts is like encountering a familiar face; it’s welcoming, and it feels like home. These 5-by-5-foot stenciled, heart-shaped murals containing the word “Joplin” in them can be found on the buildings of local businesses throughout Joplin and are part of a grassroots project to help strengthen the sense of community in our city.
Artist Eric Haun started leaving his mark on Joplin’s public art scene in 2020 when he painted the butterfly murals 161 and Look Up & Smile. The positive feedback he received from those inspired him to start the Joplin Hearts project in 2021, and it continues today.
You can take home your own version of Haun’s Joplin Hearts on a sticker, pin, tote bag, or t-shirt sold at Blue Moon Boutique (613 S. Main St.).
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