Sep. 28, 2017
Missouri Life: Martin Bergin
“I get as much satisfaction from the last saddle I made as from the first saddle I put together,” he says. “When the day comes when that’s not the case, I’ll shut down my shop, pack up my dog, and go ’possum hunting.” A feature story and photographs by Eddie O’Neill about master saddlemaker and cowboy poet Martin Bergin for Missouri Life Magazine. Read the full story here: http://www.missourilife.com/life/art/martin-bergin/
Sep. 17, 2017
Then & Now: Loretta Washington
We’re happy to announce that we’ve launched a Missouri Folk Arts Program YouTube channel, one where we will post occasional videos from the field. In May 2016, Jackson Medel filmed Then and Now: Apprentice Journeys with storyteller Loretta Washington at The Stage at KDHX in St. Louis, Mo. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUFkWomr7IA During the annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival, MFAP director Lisa Higgins interviewed Ms. Washington about her experiences as an apprentice of Gladys Caines Coggswell, as well as about Washington’s own experiences when she reached master artist status and led her own apprenticeships. We hope you…
Aug. 13, 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. 7, 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). 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 brother, son, and…
July 31, 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.]…
July 31, 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 26, 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 13, 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. 6, 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. 4, 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