Show Me Folk

Carmen Sofia Dence, 2023 Living Traditions Sustainer Fellow
Carmen Sofia Dence, St. Louis, Mo. Colombian Folkloric Dancer, Choreographer, Costume Maker Carmen Sofia Dence learned to dance as a child in her local barrio (neighborhood) in Barranquilla, Colombia from her mother, her aunt, local elders,…

Kenny Applebee, 2023 Living Traditions Sustainer Fellow
Kenny Applebee, Mexico, Mo. Old-time Rhythm Guitarist Kenny Applebee is widely recognized as a mainstay of old-time music in Missouri. He has “backed” fiddlers on his rhythm guitar for decades at contests, jams, concerts, dances, and…

Missouri Folk Arts Program Announces Inaugural Living Traditions Sustainer Fellows
Missouri Folk Arts Program Announces Inaugural Living Traditions Sustainer Fellows April 24, 2023 COLUMBIA, MO – The Missouri Folk Arts Program has chosen the recipients of the inaugural Missouri Living Traditions Sustainer Fellowship, the state’s…

A Tribute to Bernard Allen (1941-2023)
We’ve learned the sad news yesterday that master luthier Bernard Allen of Naylor, Mo. passed away Sunday, 4/16/2023. Missouri Folk Arts has been honored to work with Mr. Allen many times over the years, first…

The Past and Future of Wyandotte Beadwork, Kim Garcia-Artist Profile by Nathan Lee McAlister
“You’re not going to learn something until you’re ready to learn it.” Kim Garcia Over the last few years, Missouri Folk Arts has collaborated with community documentarians to identify traditional arts regionally; document traditions locally;…

Giving Day Donations welcomed by Missouri Folk Arts
Missouri Folk Arts is thankful to individual donors who have provided unrestricted gift funds that support opportunities for staff and traditional artists beyond those designated in grant-funded projects. Previous examples include artistic fees; travel; fees…

Nominations Closed. GUIDELINES FOR MISSOURI’S NEW LIVING TRADITIONS SUSTAINER FELLOWSHIP!!
2023 Nominations Now Closed Missouri’s Living Traditions Sustainer Fellowship seeks to recognize the artistic excellence and lifetime achievement of living traditional artists in the Show Me State. The fellowships will honor those individuals’ deep-rooted contributions to their…

A visit with an old friend, Lee Ann Sours–Artist Profile by Nathan Lee McAlister
“In the beginning I wasn’t thinking about being a fiber artist. I was just thinking about farming.” Lee Ann Sours Over the last few years, Missouri Folk Arts has collaborated with community documentarians to…

Weeping Tree at Ste. Genevieve: Missouri’s Second Legends & Lore Marker Installed
Exciting news! Additional Missouri community adds Legends & Lore marker! Ste. Genevieve Tourism Department installed a roadside marker this year that tells the story of an unusual phenomenon related to noted U.S. Senator and physician…

2023 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Deadline was August 29, 2022
It’s our new year, and we are actively seeking leads and working with potential apprenticeship teams on their applications and work samples before the August 29, 2022 deadline. Assistance is available from our Folk Arts Specialist…