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Bad Art By Good People

Celebrating Creativity and COmmunity

The Springfield Regional Arts Council proudly presents "Bad Art By Good People," our newest event dedicated to celebrating local arts and fostering community connections. Join us at September's First Friday Art Walk on September 6 at The Creamery Arts Center for an unforgettable evening of creativity and collaboration.

Overview

"Bad Art by Good People" is a unique event where community leaders and local artists collaborate to create art inspired by their love for Springfield, also known as the Queen City. The event aims to show that anyone can create art, regardless of skill level, and to strengthen community bonds through the joy of making art together. This celebration of creativity not only showcases local artistic talent but also provides participants an opportunity to highlight causes they care about. Join us to witness the transformative power of art and see how our community comes together to create something truly special.

How It Works

Collaborative Art Sessions

Unveiling Event

Local artists have partnered with community leaders to guide them through art sessions over the course of summer 2024. These collaborative sessions are all about expressing unique perspectives and passions.

When?

September 6 • 5-7PM
During First Friday Art Walk

Where?

The Creamery Art Center
411 N Sherman Pkwy

Learn More?

Click Here!

Meet the Leaders and Mentors

Leaders

Mentors

Influential figures from various sectors of Springfield, including business, education, and nonprofit organizations, will step into the role of students. Through this experience, they will explore their artistic abilities and express their love for the community.

Local artists with a passion for teaching and a deep connection to Springfield will mentor community leaders. These artists bring their unique styles and expertise, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.

Callie Carroll

Springfield City Council and VP at OMB Bank

Callie Carroll-Swafford is the VP, Business Development & Shareholder Relations Officer at OMB Bank. She has a background as a news anchor and former Director of Athletic Development at Missouri State University. Callie serves as a Springfield City Council Member, Vice President for Champions Committed to Kids, and 2024 Vice Chair of The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals. She holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Sports Management from Missouri State University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Seth, and attending community events.

Colby Kern

Painter

Colby is a multi-talented creative with passions in photography, painting, and interior design. An award-winning interior designer and photographer, he studied design at Missouri State University. Colby creates abstract compositions, blending his artistic interests. 

His photography is displayed in homes nationwide, while his painting journey began in 2020, collaborating with painter Christie Snelson. Since then, he has completed murals, commissions, and three successful gallery shows. Colby is now represented locally by Obelisk Gallery.

Erin Danastasio

Executive Director
of The Hatch Foundation

Erin Danastasio is the Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the community in Springfield. She focuses on impactful projects in the arts, outdoors, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Erin is proud of initiating Celebrate Springfield, a community-wide initiative. She serves on several local boards. 

Erin and her husband Cody have three children: 12-year-old twin girls and a 7-year-old son. They enjoy biking, exploring greenway trails, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time at Table Rock Lake.

Heidi Herrman

Multi-Media Artist

Heidi Herrmann is a fashion designer and artist inspired by texture, negative space, decay, and layering. With over 20 years of global apparel industry experience, she blends garment construction techniques with various mediums, including cloth assemblage, collage, painting, photography, digital art, and encaustic. 

Since moving to Springfield, Missouri, in 2018, Heidi has focused on contemporary art, exploring many mediums and processes within textile-inspired surface design.

Brandy Harris

CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs
of Springfield

Brandy Harris is the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Missouri. She began her career in 2008 as a high school teacher and joined the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2011. Harris holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from Drury University and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University. Active in the community, she serves on various committees and has received numerous accolades, including Executive of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Most Influential Women by Springfield Business Journal.

Madeline Smith

Miniatures Ceramicist

Madeline discovered her passion for 3D art at 22, inspired by her grandmother, Joanne Boyd, a long-time pottery teacher. Though far from her grandmother in the Ozarks, Maddy tried ceramics in her last year of university and fell in love.

Now 25, she is a professional ceramicist who teaches, creates, and sells her work. Her pieces are inspired by everyday joys, using earthy tones and bright spring pigments to celebrate life's beauty.

Maurice Jones

Deputy City Manager
for the City of Springfield

Maurice Scott Jones joined the City of Springfield as deputy city manager on Jan. 28, 2019. Previously, he was economic development director in Dubuque, Iowa, with 20 years of experience in urban revitalization and rural development. He managed a $20 million budget and worked with various stakeholders. In Springfield, he oversees seven departments, including the Art Museum and Public Works. Maurice holds a bachelor's degree in political science and has completed coursework toward a master's in public administration from the University of Louisville.

Britt Mayse

Photographer

Britt Mayse collaborates with nature to capture the beauty of landscapes, portraits, and fine art photography. With over ten years of experience, she tells stories through light and shadow, capturing moments that resonate deeply. Inspired by her son in 2019, Britt's work reflects a rhythmic dance between expression and introspection. Her landscapes pay homage to her wild spirit, blending creativity with a reverence for nature. A former educator and entrepreneur, Britt is a perpetual student of life, finding inspiration in dawn's stillness and chasing celestial spectacles with her camera, inviting others to see the world anew.

Matt Morrow

President & CEO
of the Springfield Area
Chamber of Commerce

Matt Morrow has been President and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce since 2014, leading business advocacy and economic development for its 1500+ member companies. Previously, he served 14 years as CEO of home builders' associations in Springfield and Birmingham, Alabama. Before that, he was a small market radio broadcaster and Missouri Press Secretary for U.S. Senator John Ashcroft. Matt holds a Bachelor's in Communication and an MBA from Southwest Baptist University. His wife, Rachael, teaches at SBU, and they have two children, Annie and Alex.

Kevin Richardson

Multi-Media & Abstract Painter

Kevin Dwight Richardson (he/him) is a multimedia artist/designer from Norwood, Missouri, now residing in Springfield. He has held positions in the greater NYC area, including Artist-in-Residence at Omega Institute and Creative Arts Director at The Ridge.

Kevin also served as Assistant Gallery Director at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and led workshops as a Teaching Artist. His work has been featured in various shows and publications. He is the Volunteer Creative Coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest and focuses on health and well-being in his personal creative practice.

Danny Perches

Assistant Director
of Economic Vitality
for the City of Springfield

Leading efforts to drive growth through new and expanding businesses. He has three years with the city and a decade in economic development. Danny holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology from Missouri State University. He is married to Brittany, a Pediatric Nurse Manager, and they have two children, Vin and Sofi, and two dogs. In his spare time, Danny enjoys family activities, woodworking, running, cycling, building Legos, and outdoor pursuits.

Linda Passeri

Ceramicist

Linda Passeri is a full-time artist, specializing in painting and sculpture, working from her home studio and leading clay sessions at Synergy Recovery Center. She has created numerous public art murals in Springfield and Joplin and is represented by Waverly House Gallery. 

Linda is a member of several art organizations and has won numerous awards, including Best in 3-D from the Southwest Missouri Art and Craft Guild and the Ozzie Award from the Springfield Regional Arts Council. She has served on various art boards and frequently participates in juried art shows.

Aaron Schekorra

Executive Director
of Glo Center

Aaron Schekorra became The GLO Center's first full-time Executive Director in early 2024. He has served on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO, including two years as president. Aaron previously worked at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and as the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Public Health. Outside of work, Aaron grows his small businesses, crafts award-winning mead, and spends time with his foster son, striving to improve southwest Missouri.

Mari Moore-Mosby

Ceramicist

Mari Moore-Mosby, from Springfield, merges her ceramics passion with a physical therapy career at Mudbug Creations. With 16 years of wheel throwing experience, she crafts functional, brightly colored pottery with a whimsical and ergonomic style. Mari holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Drury University and Missouri State. 
Despite her full-time job, her love for clay remains strong, marked by constant experimentation and learning new techniques. Recently, she has focused on hand-carved works, creating vibrant designs with inlaid black underglaze. Mari's goal is to blend practicality with artistry, making each piece a joyful daily companion.

Overview

"Bad Art by Good People" is a unique event where community leaders team up with local artists to create art inspired by their love for Springfield, affectionately known as the Queen City. This event aims to show that anyone can create art, regardless of skill level, and to strengthen community bonds through the joy of making art together.

How It Works

Unveiling Event

When?

First Friday Art Walk on September 6th

Where?

The Creamery Art Center

Learn More?

Click Here!

Collaborative Art Sessions

Local artists will partner with community leaders to guide them through art sessions. These collaborative sessions are all about expressing unique perspectives and passions.

Meet the Mentors and Leaders

Our event features a diverse group of talented artist mentors and passionate community leaders:

Artist Mentors: Local artists with a passion for teaching and a deep connection to Springfield will mentor community leaders. These artists bring their unique styles and expertise, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.

Colby Kern

Textural Abstract Painting

Textural Abstract Painting

Colby is a multi-talented creative with passions in photography, painting, and interior design. An award-winning interior designer and photographer, he studied design at Missouri State University. Colby creates abstract compositions, blending his artistic interests. His photography is displayed in homes nationwide, while his painting journey began in 2020, collaborating with painter Christie Snelson. Since then, he has completed murals, commissions, and three successful gallery shows. Colby is now represented locally by Obelisk Gallery.

Heidi Herrman

Encaustic

Encaustic

Heidi Herrmann is a fashion designer and artist inspired by texture, negative space, decay, and layering. With over 20 years of global apparel industry experience, she blends garment construction techniques with various mediums, including cloth assemblage, collage, painting, photography, digital art, and encaustic. Since moving to Springfield, Missouri, in 2018, Heidi has focused on contemporary art, exploring many mediums and processes within textile-inspired surface design.

Madeline Smith

Ceramics

Ceramics

Madeline discovered her passion for 3D art at 22, inspired by her grandmother, Joanne Boyd, a long-time pottery teacher. Though far from her grandmother in the Ozarks, Maddy tried ceramics in her last year of university and fell in love. Now 25, she is a professional ceramicist who teaches, creates, and sells her work. Her pieces are inspired by everyday joys, using earthy tones and bright spring pigments to celebrate life's beauty.

Britt Mayse

Photography

Photography

Britt Mayse collaborates with nature to capture the beauty of landscapes, portraits, and fine art photography. With over ten years of experience, she tells stories through light and shadow, capturing moments that resonate deeply. Inspired by her son in 2019, Britt's work reflects a rhythmic dance between expression and introspection. Her landscapes pay homage to her wild spirit, blending creativity with a reverence for nature. A former educator and entrepreneur, Britt is a perpetual student of life, finding inspiration in dawn's stillness and chasing celestial spectacles with her camera, inviting others to see the world anew.

Kevin Richardson

Multi-Media Abstract Painting

Photography

Kevin Dwight Richardson (he/him) is a multimedia artist/designer from Norwood, Missouri, now residing in Springfield. He has held positions in the greater NYC area, including Artist-in-Residence at Omega Institute and Creative Arts Director at The Ridge. Kevin also served as Assistant Gallery Director at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and led workshops as a Teaching Artist. His work has been featured in various shows and publications. He is the Volunteer Creative Coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest and focuses on health and well-being in his personal creative practice.

Linda Passeri

Hand Sculptor

Hand Sculptor

Linda Passeri is a full-time artist specializing in painting and sculpture, working from her home studio and leading clay sessions at Synergy Recovery Center. She has created numerous public art murals in Springfield and Joplin and is represented by Waverly House Gallery. Linda is a member of several art organizations and has won numerous awards, including Best in 3-D from the Southwest Missouri Art and Craft Guild and the Ozzie Award from the Springfield Regional Arts Council. She has served on various art boards and frequently participates in juried art shows. 

Mari Moore

Ceramics

Ceramics

Mari Moore-Mosby, from Springfield, merges her ceramics passion with a physical therapy career at Mudbug Creations. With 16 years of wheel throwing experience, she crafts functioinal, brightly colored pottery with a whimsical and ergonomic style. Mari holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Drury University and Missouri State. 
Despite her full-time job, her love for clay remains strong, marked by constant experimentatino and learning new techniques. Recently, she has focused on hand-carved works, creating vibrant designs with inlaid black underglaze. Mari's goal is to blend practicality with artistry, making each piece a joyful daily companion.

Community Leaders: Influential figures from various sectors of Springfield, including business, education, and nonprofit organizations, will step into the role of students. Through this experience, they will explore their artistic abilities and express their love for the community.

Callie Carroll

Springfield City Council and VP at OMB Bank

Springfield City Council and VP at OMB Bank

Callie Carroll-Swafford is the VP, Business Development & Shareholder Relations Officer at OMB Bank. She has a background as a news anchor and former Director of Athletic Development at Missouri State University. Callie serves as a Springfield City Council Member, Vice President for Champions Committed to Kids, and 2024 Vice Chair of The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals. She holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Sports Management from Missouri State University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Seth, and attending community events.

Erin Danastasio

Executive Director of The Hatch Foundation

Executive Director of Glo Center

Erin Danastasio is the Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing the community in Springfield. She focuses on impactful projects in the arts, outdoors, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Erin is proud of initiating Celebrate Springfield, a community-wide initiative. She serves on several local boards. Erin and her husband Cody have three children: 12-year-old twin girls and a 7-year-old son. They enjoy biking, exploring greenway trails, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time at Table Rock Lake.

Brandy Harris

Chief Executive Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

Chief Executive Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

Brandy Harris is the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Missouri. She began her career in 2008 as a high school teacher and joined the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2011. Harris holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from Drury University and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University. Active in the community, she serves on various committees and has received numerous accolades, including Executive of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Most Influential Women by Springfield Business Journal.

Maurice Jones

CEO of the Center for First-generation Student Success

CEO of the Center for First-generation Student Success

Maurice Scott Jones joined the City of Springfield as deputy city manager on Jan. 28, 2019. Previously, he was economic development director in Dubuque, Iowa, with 20 years of experience in urban revitalization and rural development. He managed a $20 million budget and worked with various stakeholders. In Springfield, he oversees seven departments, including the Art Museum and Public Works. Maurice holds a bachelor's degree in political science and has completed coursework toward a master's in public administration from the University of Louisville.

Matt Morrow

President and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

President and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Matt Morrow has been President and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce since 2014, leading business advocacy and economic development for its 1500+ member companies. Previously, he served 14 years as CEO of home builders' associations in Springfield and Birmingham, Alabama. Before that, he was a small market radio broadcaster and Missouri Press Secretary for U.S. Senator John Ashcroft. Matt holds a Bachelor's in Communication and an MBA from Southwest Baptist University. His wife, Rachael, teaches at SBU, and they have two children, Annie and Alex.

Danny Perches

Assistant Director of Economic Vitality for City of Springfield

Assistant Director of Economic Vitality for City of Springfield

Leading efforts to drive growth through new and expanding businesses. He has three years with the city and a decade in economic development. Danny holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology from Missouri State University. He is married to Brittany, a Pediatric Nurse Manager, and they have two children, Vin and Sofi, and two dogs. In his spare time, Danny enjoys family activities, woodworking, running, cycling, building Legos, and outdoor pursuits.

Aaron Schekorra

Executive Director of Glo Center

Executive Director of Glo Center

Aaron Schekorra became The GLO Center's first full-time Executive Director in early 2024. He has served on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO, including two years as president. Aaron previously worked at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and as the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Public Health. Outside of work, Aaron grows his small businesses, crafts award-winning mead, and spends time with his foster son, striving to improve southwest Missouri.

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