ARTISANS and TRADITIONAL ARTS
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 2024 Festival are:
Civic Center Mezzanine
West Plains Photography Club members will exhibit their representations of agriculture-related and outdoor activity photos. Participating members are Jason Adolphson, Bob Anderson, Cindy Blanck, Marc Brannan, Dennis Crider, Bob Cunningham, Bob Greenlee, Janice Gunter-Moss, Vicki Hogan, Ralph Moore, Krista Pendergrass, Tammy Shulz, and Regina Stone.
Treadle Sewing Machine – Judy Jo Protiva (10:30-noon both days)
Redbud Room in the Civic Center
Gardening the Ozarks – Marideth Sisco – 10AM Friday June 7
Gardening the Ozarks: If you’re tired of wrestling rocks – Take it, make it easy on yourself!
Master Gardener and long-time garden writer Marideth Sisco offers tips and tricks on creating lush, productive, and easy-care gardens using no-till, raised beds, mulch weeding and containers – and building your own soil from scratch. Plus – a few ideas on Ozarks-friendly varieties. Bring your own experiences, and let’s talk!
“The Ozark Jubilee: Si Siman and the ABC Television Network.” – Kitty Ledbetter – 11AM Friday June 7
As Executive Producer of the first continuous live network country music television show, the Ozark Jubilee (1955-1960), Si Siman had the task of selling country music to the fledgling ABC television network, whose executives viewed the Ozarks as a backwoods region “somewhere south of Times Square.” Yet ABC was barely off the ground and desperately needed inexpensive programming. Siman managed to talk ABC into signing a contract with a two-week cancellation option. He made countless trips to New York during the Jubilee’s history to renew ABC’s commitment. This presentation will be a discussion of the problems Siman had in getting and keeping the ABC network contract.
I will have my book about Si Siman for sale and signing. The title is Broadcasting the Ozarks: Si Siman and Country Music at the Crossroads.
Kitty Ledbetter is professor emerita of English at Texas State University. Before entering academia, she was a country music disc jockey at radio stations in Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
Fly fishing for the beginner – Davy Wotton – 2-3:30PM both Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8
In this 1-1/2 hour workshop, Wotton will talk about the history of fly fishing from the 1700s moving on to fly-fishing as we know it today. He will discuss the Fly-fishing equipment we use, rods, reels and fly lines for the different species we fish for; species we can fish for here in the Ozarks with a fly rod; why we use the many different types of fly for those species; the techniques we use for those species such as streamer, dry fly, wet fly, and nymphs and why this is important.
Davy Wotton says, “The first time I hooked into a trout was in the early 1950’s. It was not a big fish but certainly one that from that time set me on a path in my life which has taken me fishing in many distant parts of the world.
My professional fly-fishing career started in the early 1960’s tying flies commercially. Many of these fly patterns have been featured in fly fishing magazines. They are the result of a lifetime of fly-fishing experience around the world. They will almost certainly help you to improve your catch rate, particularly for many difficult stream side situations. Some of the flies have origins of long ago, some of those are of a more modern era. Either way you can be assured of flies that work.
I have to admit that after spending many years manufacturing and selling fly fishing products, becoming a consultant to many of the fly-fishing organizations that exist around the world, and being involved with many organizations that are there for the betterment of stream and river habitat and other related aspects, there is no finer place to be than on the water fishing.”
In this 1-1/2 hour workshop, Wotton will talk about the history of fly fishing from the 1700s moving on to fly-fishing as we know it today. He will discuss the Fly-fishing equipment we use, rods, reels and fly lines for the different species we fish for; species we can fish for here in the Ozarks with a fly rod; why we use the many different types of fly for those species; the techniques we use for those species such as streamer, dry fly, wet fly, and nymphs and why this is important.
West Civic Center Lawn Artisan Area
Booger County Flintknappers
Get to the Point flintknappers.
Country Heritage Spinners and Weavers
Dominion Ozarks – Artist retreat and hand-crafted items
The Dulcimer Shoppe – Dulcimers
Elohi Spirit Gourds – Gourd Art plus hands-on project
Mariann Hyslop – Hand embroidery
Ozarks Older Iron Club
Ozark Pipes – wooden and antler smoking pipes
Ozark Wings
Margo Wendt – hand spinning
West Plains Pottery
Civic Center Lobby
West Plains Model Railroad Display
Brush Arbor on Civic Center Drive
Bo Brown – Foraging the Ozarks
Larry Quinalty – Dutch Oven Cooking Class
On the Street
Steve’s Pipe Organ – steam whistle calliope
Daniel Friend’s Ice Cream Maker
History Docents stationed at historic points around Court Square
Tractors – past, present, future
