Branson & Hollister: Beyond the Crowds
by Joshua Heston
Although the Branson area is a vacation destination for millions each year, the communities of Branson and Hollister are surprisingly small, tight-knit, and often overlooked.
This page is graciously sponsored by Kom Hot Yoga. See more at right! --->
“Where are the grocery stores?” I remember one box office patron asking me as I sold her tickets.
“We have two in Hollister,” I replied.
“I don’t even know where that is!” the lady snapped, turning away before I could give directions. Another guest queried, “Where do you all live? I never see houses when I come to Branson.”
Beyond the glittering show facades, the towering billboards, the excessive timeshare signs shouting about cheap ticket prices, there is a unique — and astoundingly talented — community.
Our combined communities — despite the showbiz craziness — feels authentic because we are authentic. We run into our neighbors at the grocery store. We exist with a nearly complete lack of anonymity. And you know what? It’s a good life.
Recently, locals and visitors alike were invited to see just how much artistic talent can be found in these hills and valleys. The Branson Arts Council facilitated a successful art walk in Branson and Hollister downtowns.
This State of the Ozarks magazine section is dedicated to the talented, compassionate people who first care for the local community, thus allowing all of us to better serve our guests.
It is truly Branson (and Hollister) beyond the crowds.
Branson - Hollister Art Walk, June 2015
by Joshua Heston, Dale Grubaugh & Tiffany Lyle
“Over 30 businesses in downtown Branson and Hollister hosted more than 50 artists,” explained Tenille Blair-Neff (pictured below, right) of the Branson Arts Council. “Additionally, there were pop-up artist shows, street performers, musicians and the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra.”
Despite high temperatures, clear skies prevailed and visitors, both locals and guests, were in high attendance. The art quality was exceptionally high and attendees discovered many new and veteran artists displaying a wide variety of mediums.
Tylor Adair. “I love experimenting with transparency, particularly the combination of light, glass and liquid,” notes the Forsyth native. His primary medium is acrylic.
Sarah Hebert. “I like to emphasize on multiple layers. Different mediums can be from chalk to nail polish.” Hebert studied art while at College of the Ozarks although she is largely self-taught. “I like to paint with a clash of different colors and designs. I love abstract painting.” Photo courtesy of Sarah Hebert. Photography by Linda Allen-Tawes.
Tanja Ware. “What a fun day! Branson Arts Council put together a well-run, well- attended event. Kudos! Sign me up for next time!” exclaimed Ware.
Ware, originally from Oklahoma, is a Spokane, Missouri-based artist. She works predominately in oil, pastel and watercolor. “I think of creative art as visual storytelling,” she says.
June 27, 2015
Anthony “Antwon” Hunter. A talented illustrator, Hunter focuses on recreations of classic movie scenes (such as Star War, Indiana Jones, and Frozen), but in a 1930s’ classic cartoon style. He is also author of a number of published strips, including Silent Sillies, The Hollidays, and Tourist Trap USA.
Susan Scott of Bonniebrook. Scott shares the history and culture of Bonniebrook — and acclaimed artist Rose O’Neill — with guests in the historic downtown Owen Theatre, constructed by White River Country entrepreneur Jim Owen.
Amy Callaway. “When I do art, I get the chance to share my life experiences with everyone,” notes the watercolor artist. “The Branson Art Walk was a very well-planned event for the community and it was free. A great alternative venue for art exposure,” she continues.
Callaway’s work may be seen at the Branson Mill Craft Mall, where she regularly demonstrates.
June 27, 2015
Brandy Green. “I do sculptures, ceramics and fibers,” notes the College of the Ozarks student. She focuses on functional pieces. “I want to create something that is useful or meaningful.”
Steffie Blevins. “I keep my art loose” says the watercolor and tattoo artist. “I’ve been doing art all my life.” At 17, Blevins began to experiment with painting. (See Artist Spotlight, top right)
Aaron Murphree. I love art and painting because it’s a way to be expressive without using words. It’s a way to convey a message that’s unique to yourself and maybe others.” Murphree loves painting and photography. Art is a way to maintain control, he says. His style is realist and old-world.
Joyce Carman. “I paint all kinds of things and I go through different phases. I might be painting anything from horses to flowers to landscapes.” Carman has been painting for only three years. “I like to design different things for businesses,” she shares.
Toni “Marie Antoinette” Globis. Globis is a custom jewelry designer with a love for steampunk. She is also making a name for herself as a cosplay (costume role play) designer and appears regularly as Marie Antoinette as well as other characters. “It’s an expensive hobby but I love it,” she shares.
Joellen Mittlestadt. “My pieces are more abstract. I like the separate pieces to come together to become whole.”
Jim Heisler. “My dad is so talented,” proudly notes Christina Heisler, shown here displaying her father’s work at the Owen Theatre. Owner of Giggles & Grins Studios, Heisler specializes in caricature work despite having experienced dramatic loss of all but his peripheral vision.
Nancy Day. “I switched from realistic to abstract,” shares the artist. “I was in a nursing home for awhile and when I left I saw the world in color and that’s what I wanted to portray in my paintings.”
Jason Holloway. A tattoo artist at Branson’s House of Ink, Holloway explores a variety of themes and is particularly drawn to pen and ink with watercolor. “He is extremely talented,” shares fellow artist Toni Globis of Antoinette Emporia Trade Company.
Nancy Bryant. “It was so exciting to see so many artists turn out for the first Branson Art Walk! There was such a variety of art and so many talented artists. I can see this becoming a regular event for Branson!”
June 27, 2015
Rock Around the Clock Raises Funds
(Branson, MO) — “Put on your poodle skirts, bobby socks, pedal pushers and Thunderbird jackets and join the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) at the 16th Annual Trivia Community Challenge,” notes JATC director Ronni Haston. “This year’s theme is ‘Rock Around the Clock’ and guests are encouraged to dress the part.”
The fundraiser takes place at 6PM, Saturday, April 2, at the Radisson Hotel, Branson. Emcees will be Matt Muhoberoc and Amber Campbell of Branson’s #1 Hits of the 60’s & 50’s Too. Doors open at 5:30PM. Teams of eight will compete in eight different categories. The Branson High School Jazz Band will play through dinner.
Tickets are $60 per person (or $480 per table of eight). Registration deadline is March 18. A raffle and silent auction are included with prizes donated from Falls Lodge at Big Cedar, Chateau on the Lake, State Park Marina, Doug Baker State Farm, Opie’s Landscaping, Cox Fitness Center, Branson Hills Golf Course, Pointe Royale Golf Club, and others.
JATC is a “group of caring, enthusiastic women dedicated to helping children,” notes Haston. The non-profit gives 100 percent of its donations to a variety of local projects, including School Supplies, Tender Critters, Santa’s Gift House, College Readiness, ScholarCare, Prom Dresses for Girls in Need, the Women’s Crisis Center, Heart of Arts, Developmental Connections and Book Swap / Homework Helpers (where children in extended-stay motels receive snacks, enrichment programs, reading and homework help).
For more information, contact Linda for tickets at (417) 527-3963 or email jatcmo@gmail.com.
Mature Beyond Her Years: Lydia Hoskins
(Hollister, MO) Lydia Hoskins is a fearless artist with a maturity far belying her age.
When I first met Hoskins, she was a demonstrator with the Branson Art Walk. “Are you in school?” I asked. “Yes, I'm a junior,” was her polite reply. Regarding her poise and the excellence of her work, I inquired, “College of the Ozarks?”
“No,” came the response, “Hollister High School.” This burgeoning artist is only 17 years old!
Her work Ophelia explores classic themes, but as a sharpie sketch on masonite. “I splattered the masonite with watered-down acrylic paint and then added more detail with the sharpies. I chose the name as something that would shine through her expression.”
“I like to use graphite pencil on drawing paper and I really like acrylics.” An experiment with watercolor (a rendering of local art hangout Vintage Paris — was sold to the coffee shop’s owners. Hoskins is now producing commissioned work.
She interned with the increasingly renowned Rock Bottom Studios, owned by Jennifer and Olaf Pierson. “Jennifer is such a mentor to me and she’s like my aunt. She is such an inspiration.”
One piece inspired by Pierson’s style is Carrothead. “I took some acrylic paints, slopped them on the canvas, sketched out a face with a sharpie and included a weird hand shape. I really like to contrast colors, in this case blue turquoise with bright orange coral. I turned the head into a carrot. I love ‘her’ weird expression.”
A pencil drawing of a chrysanthemum was a learning experience for the artist as well. “I”m really terrible with deadlines,” confides Hoskins. “I want to sit down and work on a project until it’s done but we only have 50 minutes at a time in class. The piece wasn’t going to be finished in time unless I left portions unfinished. I kept the focus on the flower.”
Recently, Hoskins’ most attention-getting work has been Black Axil Chromis, (shown at top) a “masonite project [that was] inspired by Jenny [Pierson]. I wanted to try something like Andy Warhol. And again I was running out of time so I painted a fish in the top right and bottom left corners and ended up painting two fish skeletons in the other corners. It turned out really good,” she notes, humbly.
Hoskins is already making plans for college. “I want to attend art school,” and a recent visit to the Kansas City Art Institute placed the young artist in touch with a number of possibilities. “I took my portfolio from booth to booth. The representative from School of the Art Institute of Chicago really liked my work, especially my weird stuff.” Another school, this one in France, expressed interest as well.
“I just want to work on defining my style and developing as an artist. I want to continue building my portfolio,” she noted, “And I want to make a career out of art.”
Seth Murphree “Doing art is in the family blood. I like the challenge and I tend to paint a lot of doors and windows. I like them because they represent an entrance into something else.” An expressionist artist, Murphree travels regularly. He is a member of the White River Art Alliance.
Tenille Blair-Neff. “My paintings are based on the psychological side of things,” says Blair-Neff, Art Walk facilitator, artist, licensed psychotherapist and State of the Ozarks contributor. “I paint moments of adolescence and childhood and the struggles children often face with their feelings and thoughts.” Photo courtesy of Tenille Blair-Neff. Photo by Sara Karnes.
Phil Wiles. “Wood turning takes a lot of effort and money,” explains Wiles. “There could be 1,100 pieces of wood in one finished product.” Wiles has 57 years of wood turning experience and regularly teaches others.
Shon Sereika. Sereika, who also displays his art in Laguna Beach, California, uses mixed mediums to create bold, powerful designs. Sereika’s work is abstract and is known for creative incorporation of job materials, including washers, glass, metals, drill bits, caulking, insulation and saw blades. His work has been described as “new,” “upbeat,” and “gentle.”
“Shon's work is unique because he custom paints residentially and commercially but then uses his talent to create art pieces matching his clients’ decor,” says Sereika’s wife and business partner, Sara “Sparky” Sereika. “His catch phrase is ‘Everything paints!’” she continues proudly, “Shon seems to find creative beauty in everything. Nothing goes to waste.”
Janine Helton. “I love to include color, to have a loose background with a more detailed front,” says Helton, who has been painting for less than six years. "I enjoyed meeting and chatting with other artists and art enthusiasts at the Art Walk. For me, was a very worthwhile experience as I made new contacts and sold several pieces.”
Jason Garrett. “I painted Boris Karloff as Frankenstein because for one, I'm a huge fan of horror films, especially the classics. I chose it because it's an iconic face everyone from 4 to 94 years-old instantly recognizes.
“So I just wanted to bring him to life, so to speak,” says Garrett, who recently began painting. Curator of the Hollywood Wax Museum on 76, Garrett has long-time experience in creating life-like tones on the renowned wax figures.
Pictured over Garrett’s shoulder is a portrait of his father. “The painting of my dad is from an actual photo of him, taken while I was very young. I've always found this image fascinating. It could easily be an album cover from the ’60s or ’70s. To me it's just a very cool image, and plus, it's my dad.”
Ben Dunnam. “I’ve been working on ceramics since last fall, taking classes with my mom,” says the College of the Ozarks student. “The Art Walk was a lot of fun. My group had quite a few people visit our show. I got to meet several collectors and other artists.”
Carmen Plummer. A porcelain painter with the Branson Senior Center Arts Club, Plummer laughs, “I tease Randy Plummer that I’m his grandma!”
Lydia Hoskins. Though still a junior at Hollister High School, Hoskins art proved dramatically eye-catching. Many of her pieces were school projects, though “I have sold several,” she notes.
Brenda Pollreisz. “I like to be out in the woods where I can see nature and the animals,” notes the Fair Grove, Missouri, artist.
