This exhibit is the one time of the year that the museum displays its Pioneers Of The Ozarks collection by L.L. Broadfoot in its entirety* ; a series of eighty-eight charcoal drawings and oil paintings depicting actual people, places, and events of the Ozarks that the artist captured in the late 1930s-late 1940s.
*due to a minimum of current gallery space


West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
Kim Worlow Leadership Development Coach/Trainer is the presenter. Kim will show participants a new thought process for managing time and energy and how to decide where and what to focus on for more satisfaction professionally and personally. $25 per registrant, boxed lunch included. Register at ozsbi.com/events.

RSVP by August 22. Contact information: Sydney Thummel, Executive Director Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC), phone 573-817-0899, ext. 225. Program provided by MBIC and University of Missouri-Extension.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
For questions and inquiries contact Joy, 417-256-4055.
This exhibit is the one time of the year that the museum displays its Pioneers Of The Ozarks collection by L.L. Broadfoot in its entirety* ; a series of eighty-eight charcoal drawings and oil paintings depicting actual people, places, and events of the Ozarks that the artist captured in the late 1930s-late 1940s.
*due to a minimum of current gallery space

West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition titled “King of the Ozarks” by Mountain Grove photographer Joyce McMurtrey in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from September 1 through October 20, 2023. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
Like her photographs, Joyce McMurtrey has deep roots in the Missouri Ozarks. A native of Columbia, MO, Joyce has spent the past four decades in Wright County. Together with her husband, Joyce farmed 75 acres of grapes near Mountain Grove. After the birth of her daughter in 1986, Joyce bought a camera. What began as an attempt to capture her family’s life on the farm grew into a passion that can be seen in her powerful portraits of the people and places she calls home.
“King of the Ozarks” began from Joyce’s curiosity to discover more details about an almost mythical person, H. King Davis, and a wish to meet her neighbors. Over four years, the project evolved into a collection of portraits and profiles from interviews Joyce conducted with this multi-generational African American family who’ve farmed in southern Missouri since the Homestead Act.
“Joyce McMurtrey’s work is not about history. She is a keen observer of people and the places where they lived as neighbors and family. In order to share family stories, you must first be a part of one. Joyce’s work, ‘King of the Ozarks: Family Stories’ takes you along the roads where legacies are created and asks us to join in the journey,” says Kathleen Morrissey, President of WPCA.
WPCA will host the Opening Reception for the Ozarks Studies Symposium on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. The “King of the Ozarks” exhibit will be featured. All are invited to attend, meet the artist, and discuss her work. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Photo courtesy of Joyce McMurtrey

ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
This exhibit is the one time of the year that the museum displays its Pioneers Of The Ozarks collection by L.L. Broadfoot in its entirety* ; a series of eighty-eight charcoal drawings and oil paintings depicting actual people, places, and events of the Ozarks that the artist captured in the late 1930s-late 1940s.
*due to a minimum of current gallery space

From organizers: Hey musicians! We are having an open Amp Jam session at The Yellow House! Are you a musician and want to kick out with other local musicians and play some music? Looking for some band mates? Just wanting to get to know the local scene? Come on by! We will have amps and PA’s so just bring your instrument of choice and we’ll make some music! All ages welcome! No event fees, but donations to The Yellow House will be appreciated! Hope to see you there!
Country Express typically plays at the senior center every Friday night. Please call ahead, (417) 256-4055, for details and to make sure they will be there.
Clean Like Butter Returns To KC’s Sports Bistro!! on Facebook. Alternative Country/Folk/Americana/Southern Rock/Blues
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition titled “King of the Ozarks” by Mountain Grove photographer Joyce McMurtrey in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from September 1 through October 20, 2023. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
Like her photographs, Joyce McMurtrey has deep roots in the Missouri Ozarks. A native of Columbia, MO, Joyce has spent the past four decades in Wright County. Together with her husband, Joyce farmed 75 acres of grapes near Mountain Grove. After the birth of her daughter in 1986, Joyce bought a camera. What began as an attempt to capture her family’s life on the farm grew into a passion that can be seen in her powerful portraits of the people and places she calls home.
“King of the Ozarks” began from Joyce’s curiosity to discover more details about an almost mythical person, H. King Davis, and a wish to meet her neighbors. Over four years, the project evolved into a collection of portraits and profiles from interviews Joyce conducted with this multi-generational African American family who’ve farmed in southern Missouri since the Homestead Act.
“Joyce McMurtrey’s work is not about history. She is a keen observer of people and the places where they lived as neighbors and family. In order to share family stories, you must first be a part of one. Joyce’s work, ‘King of the Ozarks: Family Stories’ takes you along the roads where legacies are created and asks us to join in the journey,” says Kathleen Morrissey, President of WPCA.
WPCA will host the Opening Reception for the Ozarks Studies Symposium on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. The “King of the Ozarks” exhibit will be featured. All are invited to attend, meet the artist, and discuss her work. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Photo courtesy of Joyce McMurtrey

HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
This exhibit is the one time of the year that the museum displays its Pioneers Of The Ozarks collection by L.L. Broadfoot in its entirety* ; a series of eighty-eight charcoal drawings and oil paintings depicting actual people, places, and events of the Ozarks that the artist captured in the late 1930s-late 1940s.
*due to a minimum of current gallery space

See legitspeedway.com for full schedule and details.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition titled “King of the Ozarks” by Mountain Grove photographer Joyce McMurtrey in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from September 1 through October 20, 2023. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
Like her photographs, Joyce McMurtrey has deep roots in the Missouri Ozarks. A native of Columbia, MO, Joyce has spent the past four decades in Wright County. Together with her husband, Joyce farmed 75 acres of grapes near Mountain Grove. After the birth of her daughter in 1986, Joyce bought a camera. What began as an attempt to capture her family’s life on the farm grew into a passion that can be seen in her powerful portraits of the people and places she calls home.
“King of the Ozarks” began from Joyce’s curiosity to discover more details about an almost mythical person, H. King Davis, and a wish to meet her neighbors. Over four years, the project evolved into a collection of portraits and profiles from interviews Joyce conducted with this multi-generational African American family who’ve farmed in southern Missouri since the Homestead Act.
“Joyce McMurtrey’s work is not about history. She is a keen observer of people and the places where they lived as neighbors and family. In order to share family stories, you must first be a part of one. Joyce’s work, ‘King of the Ozarks: Family Stories’ takes you along the roads where legacies are created and asks us to join in the journey,” says Kathleen Morrissey, President of WPCA.
WPCA will host the Opening Reception for the Ozarks Studies Symposium on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. The “King of the Ozarks” exhibit will be featured. All are invited to attend, meet the artist, and discuss her work. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Photo courtesy of Joyce McMurtrey

This exhibit is the one time of the year that the museum displays its Pioneers Of The Ozarks collection by L.L. Broadfoot in its entirety* ; a series of eighty-eight charcoal drawings and oil paintings depicting actual people, places, and events of the Ozarks that the artist captured in the late 1930s-late 1940s.
*due to a minimum of current gallery space

West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition titled “King of the Ozarks” by Mountain Grove photographer Joyce McMurtrey in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from September 1 through October 20, 2023. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
Like her photographs, Joyce McMurtrey has deep roots in the Missouri Ozarks. A native of Columbia, MO, Joyce has spent the past four decades in Wright County. Together with her husband, Joyce farmed 75 acres of grapes near Mountain Grove. After the birth of her daughter in 1986, Joyce bought a camera. What began as an attempt to capture her family’s life on the farm grew into a passion that can be seen in her powerful portraits of the people and places she calls home.
“King of the Ozarks” began from Joyce’s curiosity to discover more details about an almost mythical person, H. King Davis, and a wish to meet her neighbors. Over four years, the project evolved into a collection of portraits and profiles from interviews Joyce conducted with this multi-generational African American family who’ve farmed in southern Missouri since the Homestead Act.
“Joyce McMurtrey’s work is not about history. She is a keen observer of people and the places where they lived as neighbors and family. In order to share family stories, you must first be a part of one. Joyce’s work, ‘King of the Ozarks: Family Stories’ takes you along the roads where legacies are created and asks us to join in the journey,” says Kathleen Morrissey, President of WPCA.
WPCA will host the Opening Reception for the Ozarks Studies Symposium on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. The “King of the Ozarks” exhibit will be featured. All are invited to attend, meet the artist, and discuss her work. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Photo courtesy of Joyce McMurtrey

West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) has issued a call for submissions for their juried exhibits “Deck the Halls” as well as the exhibit to be displayed during the 2024 eclipse celebration in West Plains. WPCA will host “Deck the Halls” from November 18 through December 16, 2023; and the eclipse exhibit March 30 through May 4, 2024, in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center. Both exhibits are open to 2D and 3D artists.
“Deck the Halls” is the opportunity for you to showcase what your holiday celebration means to you. Fall and winter holidays are wonderful times for decorating and creating memories. This is a call for artists to share their memories through their work. Deadline for entries is October 15, 2023.
The eclipse exhibit will feature “all things above” – artwork created during or representing an eclipse, night skies, or other skyward representations to help celebrate during the Party in the Path West Plains Eclipse Celebration April 5-8, 2024. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2024.
Area artists and makers are encouraged to email photos of up to five (5) proposed works to info@westplainsart.org by the deadlines to be considered.
Guidelines:
- 2-D and 3-D pieces accepted
- 16”x20” maximum size of 2-D works, unless waiver granted
- All media accepted – paintings, photographs, drawings, printmaking, pottery, gourd art, etc.
- Subject matter to fit the theme.
- 2-D Pieces must be framed and/or ready to hang
The exhibits are co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host an exhibition titled “King of the Ozarks” by Mountain Grove photographer Joyce McMurtrey in the Gallery at the Center, West Plains Civic Center from September 1 through October 20, 2023. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.
Like her photographs, Joyce McMurtrey has deep roots in the Missouri Ozarks. A native of Columbia, MO, Joyce has spent the past four decades in Wright County. Together with her husband, Joyce farmed 75 acres of grapes near Mountain Grove. After the birth of her daughter in 1986, Joyce bought a camera. What began as an attempt to capture her family’s life on the farm grew into a passion that can be seen in her powerful portraits of the people and places she calls home.
“King of the Ozarks” began from Joyce’s curiosity to discover more details about an almost mythical person, H. King Davis, and a wish to meet her neighbors. Over four years, the project evolved into a collection of portraits and profiles from interviews Joyce conducted with this multi-generational African American family who’ve farmed in southern Missouri since the Homestead Act.
“Joyce McMurtrey’s work is not about history. She is a keen observer of people and the places where they lived as neighbors and family. In order to share family stories, you must first be a part of one. Joyce’s work, ‘King of the Ozarks: Family Stories’ takes you along the roads where legacies are created and asks us to join in the journey,” says Kathleen Morrissey, President of WPCA.
WPCA will host the Opening Reception for the Ozarks Studies Symposium on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the Gallery at the Center. The “King of the Ozarks” exhibit will be featured. All are invited to attend, meet the artist, and discuss her work. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the West Plains Civic Center and West Plains Council on the Arts, with partial funding provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Photo courtesy of Joyce McMurtrey

ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
ART DISPLAY AT OZSBI FEATURING THE “WATERCOLOR CREATIONS” OF JUDY NORTON
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Judy Norton’s exhibit “Watercolor Creations” will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale describes the works, “Judy Norton is a prolific painter of landscape, still life, and things found in nature. Whether from life or her imagination she brings a freshness to her work. A must-see show!”
Artist statement:
“Art has always been a big part in my life. It was always my favorite subject as a child, and I guess it still is. I started painting with oil but went quickly to watercolor because it was easier to transport. When my late husband was in the hospital at Little Rock with esophageal cancer, I painted a picture for every doctor and nurse that worked with him. I always joked I could have an art gallery in Little Rock for all the paintings I gave away and some day I’d be famous!
Later after he passed I met and married Tom, and he and I bought a winter place in an RV park in Texas. It was then I started a watercolor art class and got serious about painting. During COVID I had an art Zoom class five days a week with my students. It’s no wonder I have over 400 paintings in my possession. The Ozark Café restaurant was nice enough to let me hang some in their place.
I still paint twice a week now – once with the Ventures in Art group meeting at the First Christian Church on Tuesdays at 9:30, and then on Zoom on Friday mornings with my Texas students. I look forward to my showing at OzSBI and hope some of you come to view my “Watercolor Creations.”
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Norton and view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Sutterfield madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
HONEST IMAGINATIONS DAY HABILITATION ARTWORK
TO BE FEATURED AT WEST PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Participants at Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation will provide pieces to be displayed June 30 through the end of September 2023. Visitors may view the display at the library during open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale says, “Honest Imaginations members bring a freshness and joy to the creation of art! It’s a must-see group of creative works.”
TJ Swift House (TJSH) is a Department of Mental Health contracted provider that supports people with disabilities. TJSH supports people in Individualized Supported Living (ISL) services where a person lives in their home. Support staff assists with daily living skills and being a part of the community. We also support people in Shared Living, where a person with disabilities lives with a family and is integrated into a family unit and community.
Honest Imaginations is a Day Habilitation facility operated by TJ Swift House, focused on helping the people we serve develop and use their artistic gifts and talents.
Honest Imaginations is a thriving gallery in the West Plains community. It serves as a place not only for people with developmental disabilities but also for community members by:
- Acknowledging and developing gifts
- Facilitating community connection through art projects, art shows, teaching classes, being taught, etc.
- Providing self-care through exercise, journaling, and other appropriate forms.
- Giving back through the skills and abilities of our participants in community projects.
The artists at Honest Imaginations range from 18 all the way to 63 years old and know no limits in life and art. Each artist has a style of their own and it shows in the art they create. Honest Imaginations has art on display at the Yellow House Community Arts Center and the Ozarks Welcome Center in West Plains. We also have art on display at the Neighborhood Tribe store in Mt. View Missouri. The sale of art on display creates a boost of confidence and feeling of acceptance in our participants. Honest Imaginations has sessions from 8:30 AM to 3pm Monday through Friday. Our goal is to create art, and to build friendships through that process.
“We create smiles at Honest Imaginations,” says Garrett Melby, the coordinator at the West Plains Location of Honest Imaginations at 23 Court Square. Melby is a local artist who is committed to the community, creating art-based fundraisers. He works with area bands, painting live while the bands play. Melby has worked with bands such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Ha-ha Tonka, and the Steel Drivers. With a degree in Art and Animation, Garrett has a passion for giving the artists of Honest Imaginations the opportunity to get exposure for their creations, and to help them grow in our community. Stop in at 23 Court Square and see the artist in action M-F until 3PM.
To find out more about Honest Imaginations Day Habilitation, please contact us. We will be happy to help you out. Contact us by phone at 417-256-1022 or email us at info@tjsh.co
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, “The West Plains Public Library is always excited to partner with organizations, such as West Plains Council on the Arts, that wish to use art to enrich the lives of the citizens of West Plains and the surrounding area.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, 1-3PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Greg Carter greg.carter@westplains.gov at the library or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
