This year’s Sweet Arts Gala has come and gone. And, thanks to all the hard work of the Neosho Arts Council volunteers and the support of our sponsors, this premier event was a great success. With over 130 attendees, the Neosho Civic Center was a full house.

The Gala raised over $8,000 in proceeds which the NAC will use for it’s charitable and educational activities this year.

The auction featured artworks by fourteen area and regional artists along with local businesses that contributed over twenty items and services.

The NAC would like to extend a special “thank you” to each of those who contributed, attended, and supported the Neosho Arts Council including the following - Southwest Missouri Bank, Jack Mitchell Big Band, Flowerbox City Newcomers Club, Sam’s Cellar Bar & Oven, Becky Cobb, Silhouette Imaging, Jardin Consumer Solutions, La-Z-Boy Midwest, Lyerla Sheet Metal Heating & Air Conditioning, Matters Jewelry, Mills Park Centre Furniture & Appliance, Anewu Salon & Tanning, Angela’s Salon & Day Spa, Beck Floral & Gifts, Freeman Southwest Family YMCA, Residence Inn of Joplin, Skinovations Medical Day Spa, Ward Landscaping, and Stouffer Communications.

Our sponsoring artists are: Allen Bishop, Neosho; Tim Booyer, Neosho; Larry Clingman, Bixby, OK; Caroline Colasanti, Neosho; April Davis, Neosho; Jack Divine, Neosho; Doug Hall, Pineville; Jeanne Matlock, Joplin; John Mills, Neosho; Jonathan Page, Joplin; Sarah Serio, Neosho; Harry Sprenkle, Neosho; Monte Toon, Cleveland, OK.

Save the date of next year’s Sweet Arts Gala.  Mark your calendars now for Saturday, February 4, 2012, with a snow date of Feb 18. Let’s hope our snow date won’t be needed next year.

The Neosho Arts Council would like to extend a belated 'Congratulations!' to our Valentine's Day Package winners - Rich and Jennifer Matters of Neosho.

The happy couple received, courtesy of  The Residence Inn in Joplin, 1 night in a 2-bedroom, 3-room suite with fireplace at the Joplin Residence Inn, a Romance Basket that included a bottle of champagne with 2 glasses, 2 pairs of slippers, chocolate, and other amenities. The retail value of this package was $250.

This package was originally scheduled to be included in the benefit auction at the Sweet Arts Gala scheduled for February 5th, 2011 but, due to the winter storm the first week of February and subsequent postponement of the Gala,  the NAC opted to auction the package to the highest bidder so it could be used in time for Valentine's Day! 

The membership of the NAC would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Matters, as well as all those who bid on this item, for their continuing support of the Neosho Arts Council. 

If you would like to receive information about future contests and promotions or ways in which you can get involved with and support the NAC, follow us on Facebook.

The Valentine's Day Package includes 1 night in a 2-bedroom, 3-room suite with fireplace at the Joplin Residence Inn, a Romance Basket that includes a bottle of champagne, 2 glasses, 2 pairs of slippers, chocolate, and other amenities. The retail value of this package is $250.

The auction will end on Thursday February 10th at 5pm. The bidding started at $75, with the bid currently at $100!  Remember, now your bid will be tax deductible!  Watch our Facebook Page for the current high bid.  To receive updates as they are posted just tell us you 'Like' us.

Please contact John Mills if you are interested in bidding on this fantastic Valentine's Day Package at 417-592-0957.

The Neosho Arts Council has great news to announce. We have just received our official notification that our Application for Recognition of Exemption under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code has been approved. This is very important because, as an officially recognized not-for-profit charitable organization, the NAC will be able to, among other things, collect contributions and donations that are tax-deductible to the donor, apply for grants and other public or private allocations available through groups like the Missouri Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This new tax exempt status will open new and exciting possibilities for the council and comes just in time for our first major fundraising event - the Sweet Arts Gala - which was recently rescheduled for Feb 19th due to weather. With that ability, the NAC will now need someone interested in helping us write those grants. I invite your enthusiasm and solicit your support.

We are excited about the the future of the Neosho Arts Council and the opportunities this brings to our ability to fulfill our mission - to strengthen and enrich the community by growing appreciation, participation, and support of the arts.

Due to remnants of the winter storm, the Board of Directors of the Neosho Arts Council has rescheduled the Sweet Arts Gala to our snow date, Saturday, February 19, 2011. Other than the date, festivities will be unchanged. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Neosho Civic Center followed by dinner, dance, and auction. Music will be provided by the Jack Mitchell Big Band.

We apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause, however we believe it to be in everyone’s best interest.  Ticket holders unable to attend on the 19th may receive a full refund or may donate any part of their ticket price to the Arts Council. We simply ask that you contact us by phone (451-2885) or by email by next Friday, February 11th so that we may have an accurate count of the number of table settings for the event.

Also through the 11th, we are offering additional tickets for sale.  For questions, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation, please contact John Mills by phone at 451-2885, or email at johnmillspc@sbcglobal.net, or in person at Mills Park Centre Furniture and Appliance, 100 N. College St. in Neosho.  In addition, Sam’s Cellar, who is providing the beverage service, will special order a wine or liquor that you prefer. (To order contact Blake Altman at Sam’s Cellar 451-3330) As a reminder, alcoholic beverages may NOT be brought in. We appreciate the overwhelming support the Neosho Arts Council has received.