“The Political Economy of the Ozarks” is the theme of the 17th annual Ozarks Studies Symposium set for Sept. 19-21 at the West Plains Civic Center.
Hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), the event celebrates various aspects of Ozarks culture and history through a variety of presentations and performances.
Support is provided by the West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA); the Department of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at MSU-WP; the Ozarks Heritage Research Center at Garnett Library on the MSU-WP campus; and Carol Silvey, West Plains. Silvey is a long-time history professor, former director of development at MSU-WP and former member of the MSU Board of Governors.
“The presenters at this year’s conference engage with a broad array of topics, some directly related to the theme and others with a more tangential connection,” says Dr. Jason McCollom, associate professor of history at MSU-WP and coordinator of the symposium. “These topics include remembrance in the Ozarks, literary criticism, Ozarks waterways, poetry readings, entertainment and art in the Ozarks, the role of the natural world impacting society, original fiction based in the region, the life stories of impactful Ozarkers, and even a musical presentation from last year’s keynote, Dawn Larsen,” McCollom explained.
“Connecting with the presenters and the community has always been an important aspect of the symposium as well,” McCollom said. “We invite all attendees and community members to join us immediately after the keynote address on Sept. 20 for a social hour at 7:30 p.m. at Wages Brewing Company and enjoy food, drink and Ozarks-based trivia.”
WPCA Art Exhibit
As in past years, WPCA will sponsor an exhibit related to the symposium’s theme beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
Renowned local photographer, artist and educator Barbara Williams will be on hand to discuss her images of Ozarks Buildings, from “giraffe” rock houses to those structures built by New Deal agencies in the Depression era.
“Barbara knows the Ozarks, and her passion and keen eye for these ‘containers of spirit’ undoubtedly show through her work,” McCollom explained.
Refreshments will be served, and the artist will be available for discussion.
Keynote Address
The symposium’s keynote address begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the Magnolia Room. For those fascinated by “scoundrels” of the early 20th century Ozarks, this presentation is for you, McCollom promised.
Kimberly Harper of The State Historical Society of Missouri will discuss her new book, Men of No Reputation: Robert Boatright, the Buckfoot Gang, and the Fleecing of Middle America. “I’ve tried for years to have Kimberly as the symposium keynote, but because of scheduling conflicts we couldn’t work it out. I’m overjoyed to have her as headliner and tell us about her ground-breaking research on historical con artists in the Ozarks,” McCollom said.
For more information about the symposium and presenters, visit OzarkSymposium.WP.MissouriState.edu or visit the symposium’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/OzarksSymposium.