Rags to Art: A Fiber Art Show
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Artists, makers, and creative community members are invited to participate in Rags to Art, a unique fiber art exhibition inspired by Dolly Parton’s beloved song “Coat of Many Colors.” The competitive show will be displayed during Dolly & Porter Days “A Hometown Jubilee,” October 2 and 3 in downtown West Plains.
At the heart of the show is the story Dolly tells in “Coat of Many Colors”— of her mother lovingly turning rags into a coat for her daughter at a time when the family had little money. It’s a story of making do with what you have and finding beauty, pride, and love in something handmade.
That spirit also connects to West Plains’ own Porter Wagoner, who grew up in humble circumstances before finding success in country music. And in a more colorful sense, Porter’s longtime band member and comedian Speck Rhodes was known for his brightly colored patchwork-style coats. Dolly & Porter Days is a nod to all of these connections, with Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors” providing the primary inspiration for the Rags to Art show.
The show is sponsored by Explore West Plains and is open to artists of high school age and older. All skill levels are welcome. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place, along with a People’s Choice Award.
What Can You Create?
Keep in mind, what we're really looking for is art, not crafts, even though there is a fine line between the two, and we are open to accepting everyone's interpretation, as long as the work is family friendly.
Accepted forms include clothing made from used or secondhand material or scraps, decorated garments, quilt blocks, wall hangings, mobiles, mixed-fiber works, and more. No kits of any kind. Submissions should evoke the spirit and imagery of Dolly’s patchwork coat while spotlighting the beauty and meaning that can come from handmade, sustainable art.
Acceptable materials include fabric and textile scraps, old clothing, thrifted materials, buttons, leftover yarn or thread, and other repurposed items. Many types of materials may be incorporated, but participants should not purchase brand-new materials specifically for this project.
Artists may purchase secondhand items or use materials they already have on hand. Above all, the artwork should embrace the concepts of upcycling, recycling, making do, and getting by — transforming cast-off, leftover, or otherwise unwanted materials into something heartfelt and inspiring.
Size & Display Requirements
Pieces may be any dimension up to a maximum of 32 inches wide by 36 inches long. They must be lightweight enough to hang on a clothesline. If the entry is not a piece of clothing, it should include a “clothespin-friendly” edge.
Keep in mind how your work will look hanging on a clothesline and create accordingly. Items should not be hard framed.
As of now, the artwork is planned for outdoor display around the edge of a canopy, so some exposure to the elements is possible. Please take weather into consideration when creating your piece. This is not a show for fragile items.
Entry & Drop-Off
Entries may be dropped off September 24 through September 30 at:
Ozark Heritage Welcome Center
2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd.
West Plains, Missouri
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entry fee is $5 per piece, with a limit of three pieces per artist. The entry fees will be redistributed back as prize money to selected winners.
Each piece must include a small tag, no larger than 3 x 5 inches, containing:
Artist’s name (optional if anonymity is preferred)
Title of the piece
Materials used
A brief description or inspiration for the piece
Please securely attach the tag to the artwork using string and a safety pin.
A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on creativity, use of materials, artistic elements, and alignment with the “Coat of Many Colors” theme.
People’s Choice
In addition to prizes for the top three entries, a People’s Choice Award will be determined by public voting during Dolly & Porter Days. Votes may be cast using non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations, with one vote per food item or one vote per dollar. All food and financial donations will benefit the West Plains Schools Bridges Program, helping local families in need.
Winners & Artwork Pickup
Winners will be announced during Dolly & Porter Days.
Details regarding pickup of artwork following the festival will be provided to participating artists. Unclaimed pieces will be donated or responsibly recycled.
Artists retain ownership of their work. By participating, artists grant permission for their entries to be photographed and used for promotional purposes. While reasonable care will be taken with all submissions, organizers are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
Celebrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a little bit of Ozarks ingenuity with Rags to Art. Turn something cast off into something worth showing off—and let your creativity shine on the line!
Questions? Message Explore West Plains or email [email protected].
At the heart of the show is the story Dolly tells in “Coat of Many Colors”— of her mother lovingly turning rags into a coat for her daughter at a time when the family had little money. It’s a story of making do with what you have and finding beauty, pride, and love in something handmade.
That spirit also connects to West Plains’ own Porter Wagoner, who grew up in humble circumstances before finding success in country music. And in a more colorful sense, Porter’s longtime band member and comedian Speck Rhodes was known for his brightly colored patchwork-style coats. Dolly & Porter Days is a nod to all of these connections, with Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors” providing the primary inspiration for the Rags to Art show.
The show is sponsored by Explore West Plains and is open to artists of high school age and older. All skill levels are welcome. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place, along with a People’s Choice Award.
What Can You Create?
Keep in mind, what we're really looking for is art, not crafts, even though there is a fine line between the two, and we are open to accepting everyone's interpretation, as long as the work is family friendly.
Accepted forms include clothing made from used or secondhand material or scraps, decorated garments, quilt blocks, wall hangings, mobiles, mixed-fiber works, and more. No kits of any kind. Submissions should evoke the spirit and imagery of Dolly’s patchwork coat while spotlighting the beauty and meaning that can come from handmade, sustainable art.
Acceptable materials include fabric and textile scraps, old clothing, thrifted materials, buttons, leftover yarn or thread, and other repurposed items. Many types of materials may be incorporated, but participants should not purchase brand-new materials specifically for this project.
Artists may purchase secondhand items or use materials they already have on hand. Above all, the artwork should embrace the concepts of upcycling, recycling, making do, and getting by — transforming cast-off, leftover, or otherwise unwanted materials into something heartfelt and inspiring.
Size & Display Requirements
Pieces may be any dimension up to a maximum of 32 inches wide by 36 inches long. They must be lightweight enough to hang on a clothesline. If the entry is not a piece of clothing, it should include a “clothespin-friendly” edge.
Keep in mind how your work will look hanging on a clothesline and create accordingly. Items should not be hard framed.
As of now, the artwork is planned for outdoor display around the edge of a canopy, so some exposure to the elements is possible. Please take weather into consideration when creating your piece. This is not a show for fragile items.
Entry & Drop-Off
Entries may be dropped off September 24 through September 30 at:
Ozark Heritage Welcome Center
2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd.
West Plains, Missouri
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entry fee is $5 per piece, with a limit of three pieces per artist. The entry fees will be redistributed back as prize money to selected winners.
Each piece must include a small tag, no larger than 3 x 5 inches, containing:
Artist’s name (optional if anonymity is preferred)
Title of the piece
Materials used
A brief description or inspiration for the piece
Please securely attach the tag to the artwork using string and a safety pin.
A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on creativity, use of materials, artistic elements, and alignment with the “Coat of Many Colors” theme.
People’s Choice
In addition to prizes for the top three entries, a People’s Choice Award will be determined by public voting during Dolly & Porter Days. Votes may be cast using non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations, with one vote per food item or one vote per dollar. All food and financial donations will benefit the West Plains Schools Bridges Program, helping local families in need.
Winners & Artwork Pickup
Winners will be announced during Dolly & Porter Days.
Details regarding pickup of artwork following the festival will be provided to participating artists. Unclaimed pieces will be donated or responsibly recycled.
Artists retain ownership of their work. By participating, artists grant permission for their entries to be photographed and used for promotional purposes. While reasonable care will be taken with all submissions, organizers are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
Celebrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a little bit of Ozarks ingenuity with Rags to Art. Turn something cast off into something worth showing off—and let your creativity shine on the line!
Questions? Message Explore West Plains or email [email protected].
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Court Sq, West Plains, MO 65775, United States
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Host or PublisherExplore West Plains
