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.
Many of these 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 2015 Festival are:
Country Heritage Spinners and Weavers Guild – Ava, MO
Southern Belle Grandmothers Club – Quilt Show – West Plains
Ozark Mountain Long Rifles – Living History/Rendezvous
Ozarks Older Iron Club – West Plains, MO
Lyn Barnes – Quiet Lady Enterprises – Native American Beadwork – Elijah, MO
Marian Belt – Possum Trot Crafts – Elijah, MO
Nancy Jacobson – Elohi Spirit Gourds—Pottersville, MO
Ozark Mountain Rag Rugs—Gainesville, MO
Candace Nantz-Butler – Rockin’ Animals— Theodosia, MO
Sue’s Old Fashions— Mountain View, MO
Bill Rhodes Turkey Calls—Sheridan, AR
Pride of the Ozarks Goat Breeders—Birch Tree, MO
South Central Missouri Kennel Club—West Plains, MO
Missouri Department of Conservation—West Plains, MO
Cindy McLean – Quilter – Pomona, MO
JudyJo Protiva – Treadle Sewing Machine demonstrations – Peace Valley, MO
Alan Flood, Don Reed, Bobby Walker – Flint Knappers
Larry Noller – Antique Roadster – Pomona
Bill Clapp – Model T – Mountain View
West Plains Area Farmers Market Members
Cecil Carroll – Instrument maker
George Lennington – Chair caner
Garry Gammon – Leatherworker – Heber Springs, AR
Loran Cockrum – Miniature horses – West Plains, MO
Jenny Kiest – Miniature horses and petting zoo – West Plains, MO
The Old Barn – Rendezvous era furniture and more – Fredericktown, MO
Area artisans and demonstrators who are keeping these traditional crafts alive and would like to share their talents with festival goers in future years are encouraged to contact the festival committee at info@westplainsarts.org