July 13, 2014
Tribute to Ellen Gray Massey
We were sad to learn that Ellen Gray Massey, the inimitable Ozarks teacher and author, has died. If she were known for nothing else but editing “Bittersweet, the Ozark Quarterly Magazine,” that would be plenty. For ten years, she encouraged her students at Lebanon High School to interview their elders and document regional stories and traditions. “The concept of Bittersweet was cultural journalism and experiential education (learning while doing). The goal of the publication was to learn all aspects of running a business and at the same time, learn about the Ozarks, its geography, crafts, lore…
May 2, 2014
Tribute to Don Lipovac
R.I.P. Don Lipovac, of Kansas City, Kansas–polka musician extraordinaire and member of the Tamburitza Association Of America‘s Hall of Fame. Mr. Lipovac moved easily across the Kansas/Missouri state line, regularly performing at the Sugar Creek Slavic Festival in Missouri. The Kansas City Star published this article about Mr. Lipovac: https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article348356/Don-Lipovac-polka-king-of-KCK-will-be-missed.html An obituary for Mr. Lipovac can be found here: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=donald-anthony-lipovac&pid=170839977&fhid=4649…
May 1, 2014
Tribute to Luther Medley
We were very sad to learn yesterday that Luther Medley of Poplar Bluff passed away in October 2013. Photo by Rita A. Reed for Work is Art and Art is Work exhibition, 2006 Mr. Medley was an apprentice in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program with master luthier Bernard Allen in 1991. Mr. Medley then taught in TAAP as a master luthier in 1996 and 1997, and he was a featured artist in the traveling exhibition “Work is Art; Art is Work” in 2007-2008. Our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends. Rest in peace. Obituary…
April 14, 2014
Tribute to Donald Graves
Don Graves, a master artist of old-time dulcimer and a dulcimer luthier from Lebanon, Missouri, died on Monday, April 14, 2014. Below is a PDF of the tribute we wrote at that time. Master Artist Don Graves…
Jan. 10, 2014
Tribute to Raymond Thebeau
We at the Missouri Folk Arts Program are sad to learn that Raymond Thebeau of Cadet, Missouri died on January 8, 2014 at age 82. Mr. Thebeau was widely recognized as a master square dance caller, and he served as a master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1994 and 1995. Here’s a video of Mr. Thebeau calling a dance at the Folk School – a service of 88.1 KDHX in 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-1jZA19PU&list=PL993DF1A40D4A2BCC&fbclid=IwAR0LBDhCl_qTZBZpxhllZH5tSlEnZszu-6HZmQLDAXLwPZxySPzKLjXjG0w Missouri Traditional Fiddle and Dance Network also posted a nice tribute here: http://mofiddledance.org/2014/01/ray-thebeau/ photo courtesy of funeral home…
July 20, 2013
Tribute to Naoma Powell
We were sad to learn today that Naoma Powell of Columbia, the 4’11” powerhouse behind Access Arts, died on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at age 87. When MFAP and the Missouri Arts Council toured an exhibition on luthiery a few years ago, we quoted a poem, The Singing Tree, by Ms. Powell to conclude the exhibition text. R.I.P. Naoma. Obituary…
April 24, 2013
KBIA 91.3: Missouri Cowboy Poetry
In this 2013 story from KBIA, reporter Harum Helmy previews on the Missouri Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in Mtn. View. Though the founding festival producer died, and the festival itself is no longer staged, this story is still a good listen, as is the follow-up Postcard From a Cowboy Poetry Festival. Lisa Higgins, director of the Missouri Folk Arts Program, poses in her office on April 22, 2013. Tiny cowboy boots decorate Higgins’ workplace. The folk arts program heled the annual Missouri Cowboy Poetry and Music…
Oct. 31, 2012
Tribute to Jim Lansford
Dear friends, sadly, we’ve learned today that the exceptional musican Jim Lansford of Galena, Mo. passed away yesterday. If you didn’t know Jim, the video below is a good sample of his talents, along with those of his beloved wife Kim. Our sincere sympathies to his friends and family. What a loss. Amber Gaddy also wrote a fine tribute to Jim Lansford for the Missouri Traditional Fiddle & Dance Network, which readers can find here: https://mofiddledance.org/2012/11/farewell-to-jim-lansford/ …
Sep. 13, 2012
Tribute to Slim Cox
We were sad to read about the loss of an icon in Missouri gospel music. Slim Cox, who was inducted with his wife Zella Mae into the Missouri History Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2005, passed away earlier this week in St. Louis. R.I.P. An obituary for Mr. Cox can be found here: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/obituaries/slim-cox-dies-half-of-famous-gospel-duo-who-sang/article_35c47c71-1e0c-5ed1-b054-2dcb296e0bd5.html…
April 9, 2012
Tribute to Robert Ault
We are sad to learn that ragtime artist Bob Ault passed away Saturday, April 6. The Missouri Folk Arts Program extends sympathies to his family and friends. An obituary for Robert Ault can be found here: https://www.columbiatribune.com/0e07f5da-ae59-5572-94da-aa5061a1d591.html…