Sep. 12, 2020
Tribute to Sarah Blevins Denton
Sarah Ann Blevins Denton, 1956-2020 Two weeks ago, we were shocked and so sad to learn that our friend, Ozark regional community scholar Sarah Denton, died unexpectedly from a heart attack on her morning walk near her home in scenic Calico Rock, Arkansas. When we first met Sarah, she lived in West Plains, Missouri, the location of our 2010 community scholar workshop that started on Veterans Day. We quickly learned that she was a great photographer, with an incredible eye for portraits, landscapes, and seeing beauty in the ordinary. Anyone who followed…
July 2, 2020
2020 Apprenticeship Team, Price & Eikerman
It is with great pleasure that we continue with the roll out profiles of the 2020 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) teams of master artists and apprentices. Stay tuned; we have a few more profiles to come. [Be sure to click on hyperlinks for more of the story.] James Price & Steve Eikerman: Ozark Woodworking James E. Price, PhD (Naylor, Mo.) is no stranger to the Missouri Folk Arts Program and its Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP). He taught his first apprentice Nick Heatherly in 1986, the project’s second year, followed closely by…
June 26, 2020
2020 Apprenticeship Team, Kasthuri & Kasthuri
It is with great pleasure that we continue with the roll out profiles of the 2020 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) teams of master artists and apprentices. Stay tuned for several updates in the next several days. [Be sure to click on hyperlinks for more of the story.] Prasanna Kasthuri and Samanvita Kasthuri, Bharatanatyam and Kathak Dance The Kasthuris join a special cadre of TAAP artists–teams who have dedicated time and space to intensively teach and study a tradition that is vital to their families. Guru Prasanna Kasthuri is well-known in St. Louis,…
June 22, 2020
2020 Apprenticeship Team, Williams & Mackey
It is with great pleasure that we continue with the roll out profiles of the 2020 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) teams of master artists and apprentices. Stay tuned for several updates in the next several days. [Be sure to click on hyperlinks for more of the story.] John P. Williams & Cynthia Mackey, Old-Time Fiddling John P. Williams (Madison, Mo.) is another Then & Now: Apprentice Journeys featured artist. In 2017, Missouri Folk Arts recorded his story of apprenticing with the late, great Boone County fiddler…
June 17, 2020
2020 Apprenticeship Team, Washington & Chandler
It is with great pleasure that we continue with the roll out profiles of the 2020 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) teams of master artists and apprentices. Stay tuned for several updates in the next several days. [Be sure to click on hyperlinks for more of the story.] Loretta Washington & Brianna Chandler African American Generational Storytelling Anyone who follows the Missouri Folk Arts Program and its Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program should be familiar with master storyteller Loretta Washington (Florissant, Mo.), a 2003 apprentice to Dr.
April 29, 2020
Old-time Music & Quarantunes
We at MO Arts continue to use the Show Me Folk blog, in these unusual times, to shine a bit more light on Missouri’s folk and traditional artists, particularly those who have had shifted their focus a bit, or a lot, due to the world’s collective efforts to “flatten the curve.” We are often reminded that folk arts and folklife are not static, but dynamic and innovative. Tradition bearers prove that time and time again, especially in adversity. With these posts, we hope our readers find the time to visit the social media of featured artists. Perhaps, readers will be…
April 9, 2020
Mask Makers of Missouri
We at MO Folk Arts are using the Show Me Folk blog, in these unusual times, to shine a bit more light on the state’s folk and traditional artists, particularly those who have had shifted their focus a bit, or a lot, due to the world’s collective efforts to “flatten the curve.” We are often reminded that folk arts and folklife are not static, but dynamic and innovative. Tradition bearers prove that time and time again, especially in adversity. With these posts, we hope our readers find the time to visit the websites and social media of featured artists. Perhaps,…
March 29, 2020
2020 Apprenticeship Team, Alexander & Dickson
It is with great pleasure that we roll out profiles of the 2020 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) teams of master artists and apprentices. Our regular Show Me Folk blog readers should recognize both members of this team from posts in 2019. [Be sure to click on hyperlinks for more of the story.] Bob Alexander & Matt Dickson, Blacksmithing TAAP apprentice Matt Dickson (left) and master blacksmith Bob Alexander pose on a bench outside Alexander’s Scrub Oak Forge during a site visit in early March 2020. They are displaying hand-forged lamps and chandeliers. Photo credit: Deborah A. Bailey…
March 23, 2020
Missouri Distillers
We at MO Folk Arts are using the Show Me Folk blog, in these unusual times, to shine a bit more light on the state’s folk and traditional artists who make a living at their craft. We plan to feature artists and culture keepers who have lost gigs or experienced slowdowns due to the world’s collective efforts to “flatten the curve.” We are often reminded that folk arts and folklife are not static, but dynamic and innovative. Traditional bearers prove that time and again, especially in adversity. With these posts, we hope our readers find their way to visit the…
March 18, 2020
Irish Musicians Arkins & Gannon
In the coming days, we at MO Folk Arts will use this blog to shine a bit more light on the state’s folk and traditional artists who make a living at their craft. We plan to feature artists who have lost gigs as venue doors close, events are postponed indefinitely, and shops are shuttered. With these posts, at a minimum, we hope our readers find their way to the artists’ websites/social media, to listen and look at some amazing folk and traditional arts. Perhaps, even, readers will be moved to make a purchase, recommend an artist to others…