Margaret Harwell Art Museum may be one of the smallest departments operated by the city of Poplar Bluff, but retired director Tina Magill ran it with a devotion and dedication that earned it recognition across the Midwest, according to artists and others.
Magill completed her service to the city May 31, working at the Margaret Harwell for 25 years.
"I think the art museum has come a long way over the years," Magill said. "I hope it has introduced a variety of art to the public.
"I think it has proven itself over 36 years, that it's an important part of Poplar Bluff."
A temporary director, Rose Anne Huck, has been hired at full salary to work full-time for two to four weeks, said city manager Mark Massingham. The city has advertised the position with an annual salary of $38,832.
A second hiring committee has been formed to replace the first committee, which had received six applicants for the position since it was advertised in April. The new group is expected to meet next week to take another look at the applicants. It is to include members of the arts advisory committee and the Friends of the Margaret Harwell board.
This position is appointed by the city manager.
The new director has big shoes to fill, say those who have worked with Magill over the years.
"She does a good job of seeking out artists and bringing them to Poplar Bluff. She has a great ability to work with all age groups that come to the museum," said Carol Davis, who has been a member of the Friends group for more than 12 years. "She's personable. She's friendly. She's very knowledgeable in art, but she's not pushy."
Magill's ability to connect with others, no matter their knowledge of the arts, has helped make the museum successful, said artist Charles Thies, a Poplar Bluff native now living in Colorado.
Magill has done an excellent job of building the reputation of the museum and it is known by people in the arts across the Midwest, he said. Thies, who has work in permanent collections at the St. Louis Art Museum and other locations, has had three shows at the Margaret Harwell.
"I think it (the museum) gives another dimension to Poplar Bluff," Thies said, adding it helps enrich the community.
The Margaret Harwell hosts monthly art shows that feature local and national artists, regular art classes for children and adults, tours for school children and regional competitions. Aside from Magill, it operates with one part-time worker.
The annual high school art show is conducted with so much professionalism, teacher and artist Debra Dunnegan continues to enter her students' work, even after moving to the Farmington school district.
With between 10 and 20 schools participating each year, Magill started this project in 2000.
The Margaret Harwell helps strengthen students' connection to the arts with a variety of programs targeting youth, according to Dunnegan.
"Tina has a passion for art, a passion for helping people," Dunnegan said, who previously taught at Poplar Bluff High School. "She has a good eye for it. I think she's very talented herself, very intelligent.
"I think you need all of those qualities for a good director. I think she's going to be very, very missed by the community."
Magill was also instrumental in the creation of the Friends' Sculpture Garden, said Davis.
Magill said she is most proud of the garden, with its wide variety of media, from the wind-powered glass sculpture to the wood, bronze and metal art work scattered throughout the museum's backyard.
Starting as a part-time worker in 1992, Magill has been director for the past 18 years.
She has enjoyed learning from and being inspired by the artists whose work has filled the Main Street building over the years, according to Magill.
"Every show inspires me, then I want to go back and do something of my own. Each show is different," she said.
From an ambitious 50-state display of work from across the nation, to the annual Poplar Bluff Artists guild show, the Margaret Harwell has always tried to promote local talent while introducing new art to the community.
"Art is in everything you look at. Either God did it or humans did it. " Magill said. "You look at your cereal box, somebody designed that box. There's a reason that tree is green, the sun is orange."
Retirement will include family and a chance to devote more time to her own art, Magill said. Her favorite work is gourd weaving, a process that combines basket weaving and gourd art.
An advertisement for the director's position says the city is looking for someone with degrees in art history or art eduction. The position includes initiating and administering exhibits, grant writing and overseeing the museum usage. The deadline to apply was April 21.