Arts & Culture

Artists from across the Midwest find connection and stability through art shows such as Columbia’s Art in the Park. Multiple visiting artists discuss what the Columbia art community means to them and how it inspires them to stay creative.

Editor-in-chief Olivia Maillet checks in with contributing writer Sophie Ayers about the Midnight Hoops League in Columbia. Scotty “Doc” Williams Sr., Rufus Broadus and Tracy Edwards started the league in 1989 to keep at-risk kids off the street.

As University of Missouri seniors graduated Sunday, The All-American Rejects played the latest in a series of pop-up shows they’ve been doing—at people’s houses.

Lorry Myers spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Centralia Public Library in November. Myers is a fourth-generation resident and a columnist for the Centralia Fireside Guard. While she loves the community aspect of the town, she says she’s worried about how specific tax boundaries are affecting public infrastructure, like the Centralia Public Library.

Centralia Mayor Chris Cox spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Centralia Public Library in November. He’s got deep family roots in the community, and is approaching six years in the mayor’s office. He believes Americans should focus more on what we’ve got in common.

Paul Million spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Centralia Public Library in November. He's a life-long Centralia resident and family man who just welcomed his second grandchild into the world. He’s also a man of faith, and lover of small town life.

Carol Maher spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Centralia Public Library in November. She’s newly retired after a long career in education, including 20 years as a school superintendent. Now, she’s enjoying small-town life in her farmhouse between Hallsville and Centralia.

Norm Ruebling is the frontman and drummer for the Norm Ruebling band, which averages 50 to 60 appearances a year.

Editor-in-chief Olivia Maillet joins writer Katie Grawitch and editor Averi Norris to discuss the future of Columbia Housing Authority and the impact of federal funding cuts on local affordable housing.

In this month’s “Behind the Issue,” editor-in-chief Olivia Maillet talks with contributing writer Olivia Mahl about how Unbound Book Festival co-executive director Alex George was inspired to bring national and internationally recognized authors to Columbia.