TRADITIONAL ARTS FEATURED AT
OLD-TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival features both demonstrations and sales by a wide variety of material artists and craftspeople throughout the two-day event. The Festival in downtown West Plains, Mo., will celebrate its 25th year Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1, 2019.
The two-day annual event in downtown West Plains, Mo., celebrates Ozarks music and culture. Festival hours are noon-9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Admission to all festival events is free.
Many of the material arts and crafts originated for entirely utilitarian reasons and were essential for meeting the basic needs of Ozarks residents in past generations. As a result of changes in the region’s economy, especially the increased availability of manufactured goods since the mid-twentieth century, such arts and crafts are no longer practical necessities, but many talented artisans and craftspeople in the Ozarks continue to practice them both as outlets for their creativity and as means of celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage.
In many cases, these crafts and art forms have incorporated more aesthetic elements as they have evolved over time, and artistry now takes precedence over functionality in the work of many of their practitioners, though this is certainly not always the case.
Some of the artisans and craftspeople who participate in the Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival practice their arts and crafts as living traditions, and their work reflects ongoing developments within those traditions, including, in some cases, their own innovations. Other participants in the festival are historical re-enactors who strive to practice their arts and crafts as they were practiced generations ago. Some have products available for purchase; all of them encourage festival goers to observe their work and learn about it.
Artisans/Demonstrators Participating in the 2019 Festival are:
Alan Flood and Bobby Walker – Flint Knappers
Country Heritage Spinners and Weavers Guild – Ava, MO
Dazzling Designs – Metal Art by Diane Heimann – Gepp, AR
Elohi Spirit Gourds & More – Pottersville, MO
Harry McKee – Blacksmith
Cindy McLean –Quilters – Pomona, MO
Missouri Department of Conservation—West Plains, MO
Ozark County Baskets – Sarah Yoder – Norwood, MO
Ozarks Older Iron Club – Cabool, MO
Possom Trot Crafts – Marian Belt – Barnwood Painting
Quiet Lady Enterprises, Lyn Barnes – Beadwork – Caulfield, MO
Southern Belle Grandmothers Club – Quilt Show – West Plains. MO
Butch Stone – Bow maker
South Central Missouri Kennel Club – Willow Springs, MO
Thompson Custom Creations – woodworking – Ava, MO
Go Farm Famers Market Members – West Plains, MO
Participating members include:
Antler Lighting & Accessories – Sheila Lassley
Designs by Bobbie – Bobbie Boysun
Frog Feathers Farm = Mel and Deborah Pierson
Hemp Snowflakes – Mindy Solotko
Jay’s Glass Flow – Jay Thomas
MawGam – Marlena Collins
Phoenix Handmade Sensations – Shirley Gunter
RLM Creations – Roger Morrison
Shining Examples – Christine Brown
Tomichi Creek – Dave and Cassie Groves
Verl’s Wood Toys & Crafts – Verl Warren
Vintage Remnants Re-imagined – Susie Waggoner
