'Bad Art by Good People' to feature local leaders

Local leaders will be featured in a new Springfield Regional Arts Council initiative called "Bad Art by Good People."

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Morrow and Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield CEO Brandy Harris are among the participants in the initiative, which calls on the leaders to team up with local artists to create art pieces inspired by their love for the Queen City, according to a news release. The artists and leaders are collaborating on art sessions, and the finished artworks are scheduled to be unveiled at The Creamery Arts Center during the Sept. 6 First Friday Art Walk.

"The event seeks to demonstrate that artistic expression transcends skill levels and brings people together through the shared joy of creativity," SRAC officials said in the release.

The participants and artists are:
• Callie Carroll, Springfield City Council member and vice president of business development and shareholder relations officer at OMB Bank, who is being mentored by Colby Kern to create a textural abstract painting.
• Erin Danastasio, executive director of the Hatch Foundation, who is working with Heidi Herrman on an encaustic art piece.
• Brandy Harris, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, who is partnering with Madeline Smith to create ceramic miniatures.
• Maurice Jones, Springfield's deputy city manager, who is collaborating with Britt Mayse on photography.
• Matt Morrow, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce president, who is working with Kevin Richardson on multimedia and abstract painting.
• Danny Perches, assistant director of economic vitality for the city of Springfield, who is partnering with Linda Passeri on hand sculpting.
• Aaron Schekorra, executive director of The GLO Center, who is teaming up with Mari Moore-Mosby on pottery.

"Bad Art by Good People" is being held in conjunction with the opening reception for the "Ozarks Icons" exhibition, which is sponsored by the McQueary family, according to the release. The exhibition celebrates the people, places and ideas of the region through art.