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/…
June 14, 2017
Daily Journal Online: Schulte-Skaggs Farm
Schulte-Skaggs Farm, provided by Ruth Ann Skaggs to the Daily Journal Online [Ruth Ann Skaggs is a member of MFAP’s Community Scholars Network.]…
June 13, 2017
Tribute to Vivian Hawkins
We are saddened to learn that storyteller Vivian Hawkins of Hannibal, Mo. has died. She apprenticed, along with Deborah Swanegan and Samuel Williams, in 1993 with Gladys Caines Coggswell in Missouri’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. Ms. Hawkins took the knowledge and skills she learned during her apprenticeship (and in life) as far away as Warsaw, Poland–and always close to home, sharing her gift at libraries, schools, social clubs, churches, nursing homes, and festivals. She was especially keen on sustaining the oral tradition in rural communities. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends. RIP [Herald-Whig News…
April 20, 2017
St. Louis Public Radio: Arts Funding
Missouri Arts Council would lose key funding if budget approved…
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
Feb. 17, 2017
Tribute to Phil Williams
We’ve received sad news from our colleagues at Northwest Folklife that Phil Williams passed February 16, 2017. Missourians may recall that Phil and Vivian Williams’ Voyager Records has turned out CDs with/of Missouri old-time fiddlers Howard Marshall & John P Williams, Pete McMahan, John White, Travis Inman, and Cliff Bryan, among others. Our sincere condolences to Mr Williams’ family and friends. RIP …From Northwest Folklife: “We are deeply saddened by…
Jan. 15, 2017
Tribute to Alan Jabbour
A lovely tribute (with more links) to Alan Jabbour, born in Florida, from our colleagues at Florida Folklife Program: We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Alan Jabbour, folklorist, scholar, and founding Director of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Alan Jabbour was born in #Jacksonville in 1942 to Syrian immigrants. He studied violin at an early age and put himself through college at the University of Miami by playing classical music. As a graduate student at Duke University,…