Free admission, 50/50 raffle, family friendly and fun!
West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsals, Every Tuesday, 7pm to 9pm, West Plains Boys and Girls Club. Women singers always welcome. Get more information at 661-303-8686

Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org


Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org



Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org

December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th at 6:30 PM
December 8th & 15th at 3pm
Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks 9th Annual Nutcracker!
December 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st.
Fridays at 7:00PM and Saturdays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM
Tickets are $12.00 in Advanced & $15.00 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online at
https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/cbo or through a student.
From West Plains Playhouse:
Order tickets online at Thundertix.com or purchase at the door.
The Box Office opens an hour before each performance inside the Dev’s Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge lobby. Runtime is approximately 60 minutes. No intermission.

The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
$20 per person to create one large ornament and two small ones with artist Dolores Mercer Winkler. Sign up and pay in advance at the library.

From organizers (Mommas, Babies, and Blessings on Facebook): Join us for a special story time! Mary will read “A Baby, A Manger, and a Very Special Invitation.” Parents can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or hot cocoa while the children learn more about Baby Jesus. Each child will receive a goodie bag to take home after the story.

Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks 9th Annual Nutcracker!
December 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st.
Fridays at 7:00PM and Saturdays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM
Tickets are $12.00 in Advanced & $15.00 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online at
https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/cbo or through a student.
This year’s Parade theme is “The Sounds of Christmas”, with MSU-West Plains Community Band Director, Rocky Long serving as Grand Marshal. The Parade will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Chamber officials have indicated that Parade entry forms will be available beginning November 1st at the Chamber office. All those who wish to participate in the Parade MUST register in advance. No walk-ups will be allowed! Line-up & safety instructions will be given to entries when they register. A panel of judges will evaluate entries on Originality, Workmanship and Relevance to the Parade Theme. First and Second Place prizes will be awarded in three categories: Commercial, Religious and Miscellaneous, plus an overall Grand Prize!
Please remember that the Chamber office has moved and is now located at 397 Jackie D. Garrett Drive (the old GOCAT Building on Broadway).
From Dev’s: Dennis Bottoms joins us once again! Playing all of your favorite tunes on piano and banjo. Dennis Bottom !! LIVE @ Dev’s Steakhouse on Facebook.
December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th at 6:30 PM
December 8th & 15th at 3pm
Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks 9th Annual Nutcracker!
December 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st.
Fridays at 7:00PM and Saturdays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM
Tickets are $12.00 in Advanced & $15.00 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online at
https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/cbo or through a student.
From West Plains Playhouse:
Order tickets online at Thundertix.com or purchase at the door.
The Box Office opens an hour before each performance inside the Dev’s Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge lobby. Runtime is approximately 60 minutes. No intermission.
Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.
From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th at 6:30 PM
December 8th & 15th at 3pm
From West Plains Playhouse:
Order tickets online at Thundertix.com or purchase at the door.
The Box Office opens an hour before each performance inside the Dev’s Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge lobby. Runtime is approximately 60 minutes. No intermission.

Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org

Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org
West Plains Women’s Acappella Community Chorus Rehearsals, Every Tuesday, 7pm to 9pm, West Plains Boys and Girls Club. Women singers always welcome. Get more information at 661-303-8686

Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org

Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org


Local artist Lee Copen’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from the beginning of October through the end of December, 2024. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. 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.
Lee Ann Copen writes, “I have always been drawn to the diversity and beauty that landscape has to offer. Painting is absolutely my most favorite thing to do. I have been painting all my life and painting is simply how I like to spend my time. For me painting is capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and sharing what I see with others.”
Growing up in South Africa and Chile, Lee was always an artist. She spent her High School and College years in Colorado, where she excelled in art and earned a degree in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a graphic artist and architectural illustrator before going back to school to become a certified teacher. Living on a small farm in the Ozarks, she taught art at the local high school for 22 years, while raising her family. Through all these years she continued to paint and draw. Now retired Lee gets to combine her love for painting and the outdoors, as a plein air painter. Whether on location or in the studio, her light and color filled paintings reflect her love for the land and realistic landscape painting. Working in both watercolor and oil paint, she has received many awards and honors. She is also known for her color pencil drawings of birds. Her art can be viewed on her website and numerous regional galleries.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Copen 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 Audrey Scott audrey.scott@zizzers.org.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, 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 Dianna Locke <Dianna.Locke@westplains.gov> at the library or WPCA Coordinator Audrey Scott at Audrey.scott@zizzers.org
From Johnny Hatchets: “Join us for a special Christmas event on Friday, December 20th. We are decorating ornaments with the kids only, while supplies last. Don’t miss out on the fun! hope to see you there.” See Decorate Ornaments for Kids on Facebook.

Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks 9th Annual Nutcracker!
December 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st.
Fridays at 7:00PM and Saturdays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM
Tickets are $12.00 in Advanced & $15.00 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online at
https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/cbo or through a student.
The American Legion hosts a breakfast on the third Saturday of every month as a fundraiser. All you can eat and lots of options at a bargain price!
The American Legion hosts a breakfast on the third Saturday of every month as a fundraiser. All you can eat and lots of options at a bargain price! In December, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available.
The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and West Plains Public Library (WPPL) will partner to bring quarterly art displays to the library. Photography and artwork from area artist Kelli Albin will be featured October through the end of December 2024. Visitors may view the display at the library during their open hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
WPPL Director Greg Carter shares, ‘Here at the library, our vision is that we are a space where all come to learn, create, discover, and connect. There is no better way to accomplish that vision than displaying local pieces of art for the community to peruse and appreciate. We are always proud to partner with the Council on the Arts to bring the beauty of art to our patrons.”
Kelli Albin was born in 1965 in West Plains, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1984, and then graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1987 with a Commercial Art degree. She returned to her hometown of West Plains and earned a teaching certification in Art and Special Reading and her Master of Science in Elementary Education. She also studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Albin recently retired from Dora School after teaching art for 30 years. She has photographs published in “Ozarks Magazine”, “The Ozark Mountaineer”, and in the book “Axe, Mule, Fire”, by her brother C. D. Albin. She has also written and illustrated five children’s books of her own. She enjoys reading, photography, drawing, and painting in her spare time. When not busy, she enjoys the snuggles of her feline companions. A friend once gave her a sign that says, “My therapist has paws and whiskers”. That is truth.
“My artistic tastes are diverse, but all have a common theme. I recreate what I love. Many times my subjects are vintage objects. I find them peaceful and comforting – a reminder of stolen moments. By the same token, my cats often find themselves serving as models. Whatever my subject, it reflects my heart, my joy, my praise to the one who gave me being. When I use the talents given me, my art/my life, become a form of worship.”
A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, hosted by the library, 750 W. Broadway, in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet the artist, view, and discuss the pieces on display. Partial funding for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.