JOPLIN, Mo. —
Joplin has its own Irish heritage, and the city’s historic residential district named after the town’s first Irish leader will celebrate that heritage this week during the year’s first Third Thursday event.
The Dream Theatre Company and Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc. will put on a living history event on Thursday — St. Patrick’s Day — about the life and times of Patrick Murphy. Murphy is referred to in Joplin’s history as “The Father of Joplin.” An immigrant from Ireland, he became mayor.
Encounters with Murphy are planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of the First United Methodist Church, 501 W. Fourth St., and the Olivia Apartments, 320 S. Moffet Ave. The church evolved from one established by early Joplin settler Harris K. Joplin, for whom Joplin was named. Joplin and Murphysburg merged to form today’s city.
Self-guided walking tour brochures of the district’s historic homes also will be available.
Also during the event, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Transportation will give presentations on the “Stay Alive” program with their “Seat Belt Convincer,” “Fatal Vision Goggles” and “District-A-Match” game.
Additionally, there will be live music by the Websters, and Deems Photography will have a photo booth available at Spiva Park. Representatives of the Joplin Humane Society will be at Fifth and Main streets with animals available for adoption. At Sixth and Main streets, the Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation will sell baked goods and have details on its annual race.
The Third Thursday Art Walk also is planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Third Thursday activities are sponsored by the Downtown Joplin Alliance.
On tap:
• Spiva Center for the Arts will hold its “Green Fashionistas” fashion show featuring fashions created from recycled, restyled or reused clothing and other found objects.
• The Post Memorial Art Reference Library, at the south door of the Joplin Public Library, will have whimsical paintings by Amber Mintert, origami by Fred Mintert and guitar music by Gino Gebellin.
• Columbia Traders: Paintings by Garrett Pearce; live music by Adam Francis.
• 9art Photography Studio: Photography by Mark Neuenschwander, with photo booth pictures available.
• Focal Point Gallery: Photography by Deb Bradley and Linda Teeter; jewelry by Brenda Hayes and Marta Churchwell; beaded crosses by Marilyn Johnston; live music by Jackie Durbin.
• Gallery @513: Pottery by Christina Lorenzen and Daria Claiborne; glass art by Jane McCaulley; works in pencil by Alex Davis; jewelry by Suzie Jackson and Bonnie Smith; live music by Patti Nicoletti Johnson.
• Mystery Gallery: Paintings by Adele Thompson; works in charcoal by Gary Royse; works in pen and ink by Clayton Woolery; mixed media by Cindy Woolery; pottery by Angel Brame; jewelry by Kristin Girard and Joanna Turnbull; live music by Tragic Prelude.
• The heART Gallery: Watercolors by Suzanne Jones; photography by Ben Sloma; jewelry by Sandy Robinson; artful furnishings by Madison Sohosky.
• Gold and Gem Designs: Jewelry by Matt Jewel; illustrations by Sherry Pettey.
• Blue Moon Market: Glass art by Rebecca Bristow.
• Local Color Art Gallery inside the Gryphon Building: Paintings by April Davis, Kristin Huke, Margie Moss, Jesse McCormick, Percilla Penner, Donna Roberts, Diana Brady, Sue Dixon, Becky Moore and Paula Giltner.
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