Aug. 14, 2017
Tribute to John White
With a heavy heart, we share that old-time North Missouri fiddler John T. White of Hallsville died on Saturday, August 12, 2017. Born in Ethel, Mo., in Macon County, John White told our Folk Arts Specialist Deborah Bailey that he first learned fiddle from his family; his mother, father, and grandfather were all accomplished fiddlers. In 2004, John said: “Most of my early experience was in Shelby, Macon, and Monroe counties playing for square dances. I have played in barn lofts, on flatbed trucks parked on the street, in school houses, at fair grounds, in churches, and community centers to…
Aug. 8, 2017
Tribute to John W. Glenn
We are saddened to learn today that master blacksmith John W. Glenn of St. Joseph, Mo., died on Saturday, August 5, 2017. Mr. Glenn is one of the rarer master artists in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program–one who led several apprenticeships over the years (between 1996-2007). photo courtesy of funeral home Mr. Glenn learning blacksmithing from his father, then trained further as a teenager at St. Joe’s Benton High School Annex before serving as head blacksmith for the 714th Railway Battalion. Blacksmithing is a tradition that Mr. Glenn passed on to several apprentices in TAAP and beyond, including his…
Aug. 1, 2017
St. Louis Magazine: Carmen S. Dence
Carmen Dence, founder of dance troupe Grupo Atlántico, talks life and performance. Photo by Kevin A. Roberts [Carmen Sofia Dence is a long-time participant in MFAP’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program and educational projects. Her performance group Grupo Atlántico participates in the Missouri Arts Council’s Touring Performers.]…
Aug. 1, 2017
Lake News Online: JP’s Boots
From the Lake News, story and photo by Kirstie Hunter Family Tradition: JP’s hand-crafted boots for nearly 40 years [Both Joe Patrickus and Joey Patrickus have participated in MFAP’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.]…
June 27, 2017
Tribute to Stan Elmore
The staff of the Missouri Folk Arts Program extends heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Stan Elmore. Mr. Elmore was a master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1996, when he taught shape-note singing to apprentice Steve Ramsey (both pictured above). Mr. Elmore’s brother Johnny also taught shape-note singing in TAAP in 1991, and those lessons were recorded by Gordon McCann, archived now at Missouri State University Archives. Rest in Peace. An obituary for Mr. Stan Elmore can be found here: https://obittree.com/obituary/us/missouri/joplin/mason—woodard-mortuary–crematory/stanley-elmore/2136368/…
March 14, 2017
Tribute to Clifford Bryan
In 2017, we also shared the sad news that old-time fiddler Cliff Bryan of West Plains died on March 12. The tribute we wrote about Cliff is published in a PDF, and you can access at the link below. Master Artist Cliff Bryan
Jan. 7, 2017
Tribute to John “Preston” Williams
In early January 2017, we learned the saddest news. Master blacksmith John “Preston” Williams, Sr. died in a tree cutting accident. The tribute we wrote at that time is published in a PDF linked below. John Preston Williams 1956-2017
Dec. 5, 2016
Tribute to Donivan Bailey
In December 2016, we were incredibly saddened to learn that Donivan Bailey, a 2015 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program master artist, had died unexpectedly. Linked below is a PDF with the tribute we published when we learned the sad news. Donivan Bailey
Nov. 18, 2015
Tribute to Donald Cox
Donald Cox, an Elder Statesman of Kansas City Jazz, recently died unexpectedly. In 2002, Mr. Cox served as a master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, where he mentored young pianist Oscar Williams, III. Mr. Cox told us that he grew up near 18th and Vine, the historic heart of jazz in Kansas City, and he started playing piano at age 10. By age 14, he began to visit the Mutual Musicians Foundation for the epic late night jams. He had the opportunity to play over the years with the likes of Willie Rice, Jay…
July 23, 2015
Tribute to Robert L. Reed
We are saddened to learn that master tap dancer and founder of the St. Louis Tap Festival, Professor Robert L. Reed, has died. Among other accomplishments, he was also a previous master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (1996). We extend our condolences to his family, students, and friends. St. Louis Magazine published a tribute to Mr. Reed in 2015. …