Published on
When Missouri Folk Arts established the Living Traditions Fellowships in 2023, staff knew that the honor required a dynamic, physical memento to symbolize the achievements of these artistically excellent Missouri traditional artists and community scholars. Woodworker TJ Southard, two-time alumnus of the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, was up for the job of translating staff ideas into reality.
Southard, proprietor of Fresh Sawdust in Perryville, Mo., was eager to take on the challenge. He transformed walnut that he’d harvested previously from his property into beautifully personalized plaques that feature a Missouri Star quilt block, as they Living Traditions Fellows are, metaphorically, stars in the Missouri’s cultural constellations. Southard custom engraves and paints plaques for each Fellow with colors that reflect the Fellows’ traditions, interests, and affiliations.
Inaugural Living Traditions Fellows Carmen Sofia Dence, Colombian folkloric dancer, and Kenny Applebee, old-time rhythm guitarist, accepted the first plaques in May 2023 at a public event in Columbia, Mo. For Dence, Southard colored the geometric star in red, white, and pink, mimicking the colors of red gingham dresses worn at cumbia dances. For Applebee (pictured below), musician and farmer, Southard tinted the start in red, black, and gray, colors associated his favorite tractor.
To date, Missouri Folk Arts has bestowed nine fellowships, and Southard has delivered nine beautiful plaques. In December 2025, Pablo Sanhueza, a Latin Jazz musician, accepted his red, blue, and yellow plaque, reflecting a fusion of flags from his two homes–Kansas City, Mo., and Santiago, Chile.
Missouri Folk Arts staff look forward to working with TJ Southard on the plaques for years to come.
Photo credit: Mexico Moose Lodge 1706
