Creative Entertainment

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West Plains Downtown is a proud Creative & Entertainment District — where the arts, culture, and community come together to shape a thriving downtown experience.

A creative community uses the arts to inspire economic growth and attract tourism, residents, and new businesses. Here in West Plains, creativity isn’t confined to galleries or stages — it is painted on our walls, performed in our theaters, and celebrated in our streets.

West Plains Downtown is where creativity lives, plays, and connects.

Explore Upcoming Events

Murals & Public Art

Public art tells the story of who we are. From large-scale murals to pocket-sized installations, West Plains Downtown celebrates creativity in every corner.

  1. Wings Mural – 203 E. Main (Artist: Laura Driskell)

  2. Abstract Art & Bike Mural – 202 W. Main (Artist: Laura Driskell)

  3. Ozarks’ Musical Heritage - Drago Hall (Artist: Michael McClure)

  4. The Protector – Luster Arcade (Artist: Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo)

  5. Release the Peace – Luster Arcade (Artist: Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo)

  6. Neighborhood Gossip – Evans Arcade (Artist: Michael McClure)

  7. Missouri Wildlife – inside 11 Court Square (Artist: Gary R Lucy)

  8. Armistice Day in West Plains – inside the Howell County Courthouse (Artists: 3rd Grade Richards Elementary & Edwin Woolsey); along with 12 other 3rd Grade murals

  9. Helping Hands Mural – 125 Jefferson St. (Artist: Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo)

  10. Wildflower Cafe Mural – 207 S. Aid (Artist: Forrest Ogden)

  11. Rolling through the Ozarks – 313 Washington Ave (Artists: Chrissy Hepp and Jack Links of Lost Tribe Art Co.)

  12. Winnie the Pooh – West Dixon Alley (Artist: Garrett Melby)

  13. Seussiverse: A Collage of Imagination – West Dixon Alley (Artist: Sylvia Biggers)

  14. Name?? – West Dixon Alley (Artist: )

  15. Coco Cola Sign – 408 Washington Ave (Artist: Sandra Pemberton)

Print the Mural Map

Arts, Music, Performance

Art Exhibits

  • OzSBI – Ongoing rotating art shows featuring regional talent.

  • Civic Center Mezzanine – Ongoing rotating art shows featuring regional talent.

  • The Frame Shop & Gallery – Offers art, featuring the work of local artists and other unique, handcrafted work.

  • Yellow House Community Arts Center – Their mission is to give artists of all genres the opportunity to find their voice, vision and power, and to provide a meeting place where artists and audiences may find common ground.

  • Honest Imagination – a place for individuals across the spectrum to express their artistic and creative abilities.

Live Music

  • Yellow House Community Arts Center – Live shows, classes, and art experiences in a welcoming, creative space.

  • Dev’s Steakhouse & Piano Bar – Intimate venues spotlighting local and touring musicians.

  • West Plains Underground – making the music scene here in West Plains as lively and diverse as possible.

  • Sounds Downtown – Free outdoor concert series held the 3rd Thursday of the month beneath the murals, celebrating traditional and contemporary music.

  • West Plains Senior Center - live music on Friday night.

  • West Plains Civic Center – Hosting concerts, theater, exhibitions, and MSU-WP athletics.

Theater & Dance

  • The Avenue Theatre – Historic venue offering live theater, concerts, and youth programs.

  • West Plains Playhouse – New company performing in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Cantron Opera House.

  • Impact Dance Studio – Award-winning studio with programs for all ages.

  • Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks - Inspiring young dancers through creative movement.

  • Dazzle Tap – Immerses students in all forms of fine arts including music lessons, dance lessons, theater, art, and languages while at the same time cultivating self-confidence through hard work and dedication.

Community Initiatives

West Plains Downtown is home to a growing network of programs and cultural projects that bring art and community together:

  • Community Band – Open to all ages, this group of 30+ members through Missouri State University - West Plains performs concerts for residents and visitors.

  • Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival – A 30-year tradition honoring the region’s music, crafts, and storytelling.

  • Downtown Tours – Explore historic buildings and creative redevelopment through guided and self-guided tours. <<add Terry’s Porter Stroll>

    • Ozark Heritage tour bus video <<add link>

  • Honest Imagination – Inclusive art program hosted by downtown businesses and the library.

  • Missouri State University–West Plains – Brings higher education, art, lectures, and the Ozarks Heritage Research Center downtown.

  • The Back Lot Project – Turning a vacant parcel into a vibrant park with public art, performances, and food trucks.

  • West Plains Council on the Arts – Leading regional art exhibits, workshops, and performances.

  • West Plains Daily Quill – Chronicling local history since 1903, preserving more than 22,000 pages of archives.