Applications now open for Writers Artists Night 2025: 6-10PM, Saturday, August 9, 2025:
Writers Artists Night is an opportunity for people to exercise their creativity in collaboration with each other as a form of self-expression. “Soul-baring,” “profound,” “cathartic,” and “healing” are just some of the words used to describe StateoftheOzarks’ longest-running art event.
As writers submit their original works to StateoftheOzarks, StateoftheOzarks pairs many of the written pieces with regional artists, asking each artist to create an original piece “inspired in some way” by the written word. This inspiration may be as literal or as figurative as the artist chooses.
Art is collected the week of the event. On the night of the event, writers and artists are invited to attend Writers Artists Night in Hollister where they will present their work as collaborative pairs before an appreciative audience.
Accepted pieces will be featured on the StateoftheOzarks Online Magazine over the next year and also published in a special book created for the event.
Written works are considered based heavily on the following criteria: clarity, contemplation, humor, word choice, emotional conveyance, and writing structure. The 1,200 word limit reflects the power of brevity established in great print publications of the mid-20th century.
EVENT is free. Public is welcome. Remember to be respectful of presentations.
I appreciated every single person’s contribution to making the event a celebration of collaboration and personal uniqueness.” — Julie Zetina
“StateoftheOzarks Writers Artists Night is a highlight of the year for me. The artist gets to interpret the writing. And the best part is we get to present our creative endeavors before a live audience which makes us all stars for the evening!” — Mary Arneson
“It’s a great way to meet other local writers and artists. There is just so much talent around here!” — Lacey Finchum
Best Writer: Jen Acker
Best Artist: Dustin Burkett
Best Presentation: Paul Hambrick
Best Craftsmanship: Gala Solari Keller
Best Collaboration: Dennis Gallemore with Janelle Patterson
2024 Judges Panel: AJ Fahr, Alena VanDyke-Hudson, Christine Riutzel, Jimmy Tucker, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Writer and Artist
1. Leah Riutzel (“For the Love of Rachel”) read by Joshua Heston, a tribute
2. Dave Loftin (“Legacy of an Ozarks Beekeeper) paired with Vashon Borich-Leach
3. Kandis Neumeier (“Again”) paired with Zach Fitz
4. Ralph Thomas (“The Echoes and the Draw of Shadow Park”) paired with Meike Aton
5. Jack Borich (“Lady & the Tiger”)
6. Darla Hicks (“The Mermaid’s Aunt”) paired Brittany Marie
7. Beth Schulz (“The Conversation with Dementia Has Ended”) paired with Savannah Richardson
8. Wendy Lapham (“Scavenge Some Fossils”)
9. Jennifer King (“The Lion King Legacy”) paired with Drew Bandy
10. Josh Huxtable (“Broken Hallelujah”) paired with Melissa Ryan
11. Paul Hambrick (“Witch’s Ride) paired with Gala Solari Keller
12. Sandy Grube (“A Psalm of Sandy”) paired with Jenny Judlin
13. Champion Herren (“A Tail of Tales”) paired with Kat Weltha
14. Cindy Thomas (“Fresh Hope in Kansas”) paired with Shelly Malicoat
15. Dennis Gallemore (“The Mittens”) paired with Janelle Patterson
16. Noah Bray (“The Smith and the Girl”) paired with Freeman Payne
17. Lyght Latham (“Mirror of My Gaze”) paired with Savannah Richardson
18. Cindy Lou Gildig (“CODE BLUE. LABOR AND DELIVERY. CODE BLUE.”)
19. Lauri Thompson (“It Was a Dark and Stormy Night”) paired with Kandis Neumeier
20. Jen Acker (“Locked Note (An Ode to Motherhood)”)
21. Marshall Howden (“Wise Gnomes of New America”) paired with Tasha Richardson
22. Joel Telschow (“Summer’s Night”) paired with Freeman Payne
23. Vashon Borich-Leach (“Beau & Petunia’s Great Escape”) paired with Dustin Burkett
Richard Crowder, Mirrors
Wendie Lapham, An Ozark Gal Goes Snorkeling
Beth Schulze, There Are Authors…
Alex Primm, Guns & Flowers
Jessica, Survival in a Nuclear Wasteland
Vashon Borich-Leach, The Review of Vincent Van Gogh
Lindel Gore, Rosebud Melody
Josh Huxtable, A New Love
Michael Lloyd Gregory, Well, I’ll Swan w artist Harrison Sifford
Michelle Waters, Choices w artist Lindel Gore
Randy Dietz, The New Camera, w artist Shirley LaCore
Jack Borich, Deux Ex Machina – Part 2, w artist Maura Metzger
Dennis Gallemore, The Canvas, w artist Mary Arneson
Cindy Thomas, A Snake, A Horse, and a Wise Dad w artist Jenny Judlin
Lyght Latham, Alone, w artist Savannah Richardson
Joel Telschow, Mt. Olivet, w artist Dustin Burkett
Michael Ewoldsen, The Green Knight, w artist Freeman Payne
Marshall Howden, The Emerald Fire, w artist Janelle Patterson
Paul Hambrick III, So Many Places w artist Vashon Borich-Leach
Best Writer: Joel Telschow, The Journal of Jedidiah Bryson
Best Artist: Freeman Payne, inspired by On the Mississippi by Edwin Woolsey
Best Craftsman: Chris Boyd, inspired by The Gift by Michael Lloyd Gregory
Best Collaboration: Quynn Kent with Olivia Stephens, Baseball
1 Storytelling
by Erin Fox w/ Mary Arneson
2 Daddy and the PTA
by Cindy Thomas w/ Matt Farmer
3 Peaceful Waters
by Barbara Klein w/ Kim Cooper
4 When Andy Went Into the Earth
by Dale Lund w/ Anthony Hunter
5 Consider the Mosquito
by Beth Schulze
6 2018 Hawaiian Missile Threat
by Richard Crowder
7 Kentucky Enigma
by Edwin Woolsey w/ Freeman Payne
8 Jim’s Cow
by Dave Loftin w/ Freeman Payne
9 Ethereal Gift
by Laurie Lemke Thompson w/ Shelby Winzenried
10 To the Future
by Lindel Gore
11 The Story of Leo
by Vashon Borich-Leach w/ Mary Arneson
12 Where Love Won’t Betray
by Katie & Joan Wright w/ Margaret Barnett
13 Avenge the Scarlett Forest
by Marshall Howden
14 I Will Sup with Him and He with Me
by Barbara Klein
15 Baseball
by Quynn Kent w/ Olivia Stephens
16 On the Mississippi
by Edwin Woolsey w/ Freeman Payne
17 Experience to Innocence
by Camarie Cirilla w/ Jenny Judlin
18 A Gift
by Michael Lloyd Gregory w/ Chris Boyd
19 The Adventure
by Dennis Gallemore w/ Luis Cortes
20 Deus Ex Machina
by Jack Borich w/ Savannah Richardson
21 When I Was Five
by Michelle Waters w/ Jessica Farmer
22 Time-less
by Lisa Livingston-Martin w/ Janelle Patterson
23 From the Journal of Jedidiah Bryson
by Joel Telschow w/ Freeman Payne
24 Ethics of Thunder & Snow
by Anthony G. Cirilla w/ Meike Aton
25 Life Begins at 42
by Estella Eldringhoff w/ Shirley LaCore
26 Who’s Driving?
by Freeman Payne w/ Dustin Burkett
27 Fool
by Sean Neil Myers w/ Joy Noir Phillips
28 The Lonely Bard
by Lyght Latham w/ Savannah Richardson
29 Nephilim Beginnings
by Josh Huxtable w/ Darren Anstead
30 Altar at Table Rock
by Wendie Lapham w/ Richard K. Williams
31 Betty’s Story
by Tommy Emery w/ Randy Dietz
32 Fractures
by Rachel Riutzel w/ Kim Cooper
33 A Beast in the Wood
by Noah Bray w/ Nick Daliege
Immediately following the conclusion of presentations, our judging panel will convene. Awards will be presented shortly thereafter, concluding the evening.
Hayden Head, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Josh Ong, Jimmy Tucker, and Jared Houle
Best Writer, Best Artist, Best Collaborative Pair, and Best Craftsmanship
1. Ode to a Water Lily
by Dave Loftin w/ Mary Arneson
2. The Old Man
by Josh Huxtable w/ Jessica Farmer
3. As You Perceive The Life of Human
by Kimberlin Skelly w/Kim Cooper
4. Chase Away the Rain
by Travis Hall w/ Savannah Richardson
5. Season’s Changing
by Michelle Waters w/ Freeman Payne
6. God’s Grace & Forgiveness
by Richard Crowder w/ Meike Aton
7. A Love Note
by Betsey Mae Graves w/ Julie Zetina
8. A Conversation with Dementia
by Beth Schulz w/ Freeman Payne
9. The Battle
by Jacqueline Faith w/ Meike Aton
10. The Old Phone
by Judy Doyle w/ Chris Boyd
11. A Thoughtful Drive
by Cindy Thomas w/ Brent Holland
12. Who’s Got Beef with Being a Sheep?
by Matt Farmer w/ Lacey Finchum
13. Moonshine
by Dennis Gallemore w/ Freeman Payne
14. Downing Street Legend
by Lindel Gore w/ Janelle Patterson
15. Wash Your Apples
by Tom Emery w/ Freeman Payne
16. On a Tuesday
by Emily Farrell w/ Shirley Lacore
17. Through Acres and Akers
by Damian Costello w/ Darren Anstead
18. My Mother’s Hands
by Estella Padgett w/ Jenny Judlin
19. The Rider
by Joel Telschow w/ Robert Bell
20. Brady’s Story
by Edwin Woolsey w/ Vashon Borich-Leach
21. Delight at 42
by Tenille Blair-Neff w/ Curtis Copeland
22. Through the Cracks
by Freeman Payne w/ Michael Faith
23. The Refugee
by Dalton Quick w/ Matt Farmer
24. Narda
by Georgia Griffith w/ Mickey Ragain
25. Contagion of Red
by Marshall Howden w/ Kaitlynn Robinson
Winners & Special Mentions:
Best Writer: Dalton Quick, Over the Scottish Sea
Special Mention: Rachel & Leah Riutzel, The System of Friction
Best Collaboration: Quynn Kent with Lydia Hoskins, The Water
Special Mention: Estella Padgett with Vashon Borich-Leach, What A Family Should Be
Special Mention: Vashon Borich-Leach with Jared Houle, The Crow
Best Presentation: Rachel & Leah Riutzel, The System of Friction
Special Mention: Freeman Payne with Dustin Burkett, To Hell and Back
Best Artist: Savannah Richardson with Phantom Pain by Anthony Cirilla
Special Mention: Kaitlynn Robinson with The Village Under the Scarlett Kings by Marshall Howden
Special Mention: Jared Houle with The Crow by Vashon Borich-Leach
Artist and Writer Check-in: 6PM at the SOTO Headquarters Tent at the Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park, 312 Esplanade Street, Hollister, MO 65672.
Event begins promptly at 7PM, weather permitting. Dress code is casual. Event is free and open to the public. We recommend bringing comfortable lawn chairs and/or blankets. Also bug spray. A number of folding chairs will also be available for use (first come, first served). The park is an ideal place to allow for “social distancing.”
Please see schedule below for order of presentation —
1 Margie Kay w Curtis Copeland
The Ozark Spooklights
2 Erin Fox w Jenny Judlin
I Walk These Hills and Wonder
3 Dennis Gallemore w Sophie McAdara
Jake Stanton Goes Home
4 Damian Costello w Jeffrey Nanney
Quicker Bicker
5 Lynnette Horn w Freeman
Mañana
6 Cassidy Hunter w Mickey Ragain
Civil War Era Romance
7 Josh Huxtable w Freeman
Cry of Her Heart
8 Jessica Farmer w Shelby Winzenreid
A Daisy Amongst the Roses
9 Lauri Lemke Thompson w Savannah Richardson
The Ant Chronicles
10 Dalton Quick w Lacey Finchum
Over the Scottish Sea
11 Marshall Howden w Kaitlynn Robinson
The Village Under the Scarlett Kings
12 Michelle Waters w Tammy Morton
Frost Flowers
13 Special Reading: Lisa Livingston-Martin w Borderlands
— Intermission —
14 Edwin Woolsey w Janelle Patterson
Springfield Bound
15 Rachel & Leah Riutzel w Kim Cooper
The System of Friction
16 Freeman w Dustin Burkett
To Hell and Back
17 Mona Menezes w Lynnette Horn
The Kitten Garden
18 Michelle Waters w Mary Arneson
Such A Gift
19 Josh Huxtable w James Beaumont
The Winds Blow
20 Estella Padgett w Vashon Borich-Leach
What A Family Should Be
21 Vashon Borich-Leach with Jared Houle
The Crow
22 Camarie Cirilla w Matt Farmer
Gatekeeper
23 Mary Arneson w Trygve Arneson
Into the Forest
24 Clint Unruh w Freeman
Death’s Lonely Journey
25 Quynn Kent w Lydia Hoskins
The Water
26 Edwin Woolsey w Chris Boyd
Leaving Hattie
27 Jenn Parks w Bob Bell and w Freeman
Charles Winslow’s Body
28 Anthony Cirilla w Savannah Richardson
Phantom Pain
Top Artist of the Evening — Mary Arneson, Country Rain
Top Writer of the Evening — Deborah Haggard, The Dust
Best Presentation of the Evening — Rachel Riutzel, Water to Red
Best Writer Artist Collaboration — Dennis Gallemore with Vashon Borich-Leach, The Awful Tower
1 Dave Loftin w Shelby Hutton Winzenried
December Afternoon Feeding the Hay
2 Betsey Mae Graves (in absentia) w Mary Arneson
Country Rain
3 AJ Blanton w Lillian Berry
Prologue to the Three Spheres
4 Michelle Waters w Heath Copper
Dr M
5 Candice Gage w Mikki Sale
Them Hills
6 Deborah Haggard w Savannah Richardson
The Dust
7 Kristina Gilbert w James Shipley
I Am
8 Anthony Cirilla w Janelle Pattterson
No Wine for Ismenos
9 Dustin Snavely w Chris Boyd
American Spirit
10 Paul Thompson w Azalie Baumann
The Watermelon Fairy
11 Jenn Parks w Melody Courley
Toes
12 Jody Godrey w Sarah Hebert
PTSD The Father of Many Diseases
• Joshua Heston
Kewpie
– Intermission –
13 Matt Farmer w Jenny Judlin
A Modern Marvel
14 Trygve Arneson w Savannah Crawford
The Other
15 Josh Huxtable w Heath Copper
Hey There, Grandpa
16 Dave Loftin w Katie Rodick
The Gate Test
17 Rachel Riutzel w Carla Davidson
Water to Red
18 Laurie Lemke Thompson w Mary Arneson
Layers
19 T’iana Sage w Kaitlynn Robinson
Cognizance
20 Ron Davidson w Shelby Moore
The Great Disconnect
21 Dalton Quick w Freeman
Beneath the Willow
22 Kim Danzer w Steffie B
Hush
23 Dennis Gallemore w Vashon Borich-Leach
The Awful Tower
24 Grace Gage w Shannon Bacon
Evadora’s Temptation
25 Lisa Martin with Lacey Finchum
Allegiances
26 Noah Bray w Heath Copper
Collided
For questions, email josh@stateoftheozarks.net