WEST PLAINS, Mo. – An exhibit of photographs by Mountain Grove resident Joyce McMurtrey depicting her interpretation of life in the Ozarks will be presented Oct. 31 through Nov. 13 on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center.

The free exhibit is being hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department.  Area residents can view the photos during regular civic center hours.  A “Meet the Artist” reception is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the civic center’s Magnolia Room.  Everyone is invited

The collection includes breath-taking images of Ozarks vineyards.  McMurtrey and her husband farm 75 acres of grapes on ridge-top farms north of Mountain Grove.  “It’s like living in a park,” she said.  “It is that beautiful and also that much work.”

The McMurtreys have been commercial grape growers for 40 years.  “In order to survive, you have to be willing to eat beans,” she explained.  “All this beauty comes with a price tag, but it is so worth it to me.  It’s a marvelous place to spend a lifetime.”

Over the years, hundreds of people have worked in Ozarks vineyards, hand-picking grapes at harvest time.  From this came the inspiration for McMurtrey’s “Ozark Women” collection of photographs.  “Your eyes will tear up a little bit when you see these faces,” McMurtrey said.  “You will swear you know these women, and you’ll be correct.  We are all surrounded by them.  Their faces tell stories, and I’m so honored to be able to capture some of those faces and stories in my photographs.”

Another collection of photographs featured in the exhibit is of Native Americans from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.  These powerful, honest images are part of a series of photographs that McMurtrey created as a gift to the community of Bunch, Okla.

For more information about the exhibit, call the U/CP office, 417-255-7966.

    VINEYARD SCENES such as this one will be among the photos taken by Mountain Grove resident Joyce McMurtrey and displayed Oct. 31 through Nov. 13 on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center.  The free exhibit is being hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) and will be available for viewing during regular civic center hours.  McMurtrey took the above photo at the vineyard she and her husband own north of Mountain Grove.