“Childhood Prayer depicts the house where I spent my favorite years of childhood. I painted it as I remembered it: brimming with life and energy. That house was one of the main characters of my childhood.” — Jody Stephenson, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
StateoftheOzarks Fest ’22
The Order of the Red Boar pose before the noon fight. StateoftheOzarks Fest ’22 by StateoftheOzarks staff StateoftheOzarks Fest ’22 took place Saturday, September 17, on Historic Downing Street in Hollister. The street festival is hosted by Hollister-based StateoftheOzarks.net and is the company’s sixth annual event. “This was our biggest festival,” notes editor-in-chief, Joshua Heston.…
Cognizance
Cognizance by Ti’ana Sage (art by Kaitlynn Robinson) My mind was racing from what I was facing— —tripping—slipping—as I flew through the night… If I’d only known—If I’d only been shown— —a breath of relief as the city came into clear sight… As I burst passed the droid in my escape from the void— —my…
A Modern Marvel
A Modern Marvel by Matthew S. Farmer (art by Jenny Judlin) A spectacle of man’s engineering Concrete, Cables, towering high we pledge our faith we pledge our trust we bring our family we bring our future A young couple drives across in their yellow car looking for lunch on the other side A single mother…
Evadora’s Temptation
Evadora’s Temptation by Grace S. Gage (art by Shannon Bacon) A turquoise thumb nail plunges past the cardboard tab of the wine box and assisted by the glittered nail of the index finger retrieves the spigot. A single twist, and the inky red wine pulsates into the stemless wine glass suspended by the other set…
Layers
Layers by Lauri Lemke Thompson (art by Mary Arneson) The intricate design, yet naturally flowing beauty of a pink rose. Who thought of such a thing? Petals upon petals, overlapping. Such are these Ozark mountains When one overlooks their rounded shapes – Hazy blue hill upon blue hill, arranged with grace In layers, Like petals.…
American Spirit
American Spirit by Dustin Snavely (art by Chris Boyd) We are all watching the fall of the U.S. empire; an empire never designed to be one. The United States was born from self-sovereignty, built on courage and conviction. The spirit of America lies in its bold ability to reject the common sense ignorance of the…
Dr M by Michelle Waters
Dr M by Michelle Waters My kind-hearted, friendly old doctor retired, like so many have recently, which is the reason why, earlier this week, I was sitting in the examination room waiting to meet yet another new specialist. Because this doctor recently joined the practice, I googled her to find out what I could before…
Water to Red by Rachel Riutzel
Above, original artwork by Carla Davidson, inspired by Water to Red by Rachel Riutzel. Presented during SOTO June 2019 Writers Artists Night. Water to Red by Rachel Riutzel What is it that we refuse to see? Why does the world face the same predicaments Clinging to their history? Society is fuming, mankind up in arms…
THE AWFUL TOWER
Vashon Borich-Leach presents her award-winning art piece, inspired by Dennis Gallemore’s story, The Awful Tower, during StateoftheOzarks Writers Artists Night, June 21, 2019. Photography by John Michael Judah. The Awful Tower by Dennis Gallemore “I’m sorry, Emma; we just don’t have the money.” Jake Simmons turned away from his wife of forty years, tears threatening…