BOMH at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion

The Best of Missouri Hands is privileged to have a presence at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion since the organization partnered with Governor and Mrs. Bob Holden to collect and display ornaments created by Missouri artisans on the Governor’s Mansion tree in December of 2002. This project continued until December of 2004.  Beginning in 2005, the ornament collection was exhibited in a one-of-a-kind display piece designed by BOMH member Heinrich Leonhard and made by Lou Swacker.

In 2010, BOMH, Missouri Mansion Preservation and the Governor’s Mansion staff revamped the display to feature selected BOMH Juried Members who are creating works they are producing currently.  The first to participate in the newly revamped display were glass artisans Gary and Judy Rice, Nicholas Philips and Lance Stroheker of New Haven, Kenneth and Julie Marine of Hollister, Peggy King of Columbia and Shawn Harris of Sedalia.

In July of 2012 the display as switched out to feature painters Brenda Beck Fisher of Hannibal, Miriam Krone of New Haven, Loran Creech of California, Carolyn Coffey Wallace of Ava, Alicia Farris of Springfield, Cheryl Schweitzer of Jefferson City and Shirley Eley Nachtrieb of St. Charles. These Juried Members represent the pieces currently on display.

Both revamped displays have been a great hit with the Mansion staff, Governor and First Lady, Mansion docents and site visitors. It is important for BOMH to nurture and retain this partnership, as it provides consistent BOMH presence at the Governor’s Mansion, visibility for our artisans and artists and makes BOMH a valuable and familiar asset to current state leaders.

BOMH Board Member Michael Gaines has coordinated this project since the revamping. Michael is currently working with Mansion personnel to determine what will be featured in the next display.  The first two displays have been based upon a specific medium. However, the idea of themes (Missouri landmarks/symbols, specific colors, etc.) has been discussed. Because of the uniqueness of the one-of-a-kind display piece some media categories create a challenge in being featured. Regardless of the medium (2-D or 3-D) being involved in the project requires participating artists to create pieces specifically for the project due to size restrictions. So far, all participants have risen to the challenge to be involved in this unique and valuable partnership for BOMH.

The goal is to switch out the exhibit each year, however the typical time frame has been 18 months. Time just seems to fly… and the Mansion staff hates to see each exhibit leave! As the next display is planned, feel free to email your ideas to Michael Gaines at michaelg@hannibalarts.com.