The Missouri State Fair opened its gates in Sedalia today, kicking off an eleven-day run packed with visual art, live music, and activities for visitors of all ages.
Among the highlights this year is a strong showing from the fair’s Fine Arts Building, where art lovers can explore two major exhibits and watch artists at work in real time.
The Fine Arts Building is hosting the Missouri 50 and Missouri Junior 50 exhibits, which bring together artwork from across the state.
Visitors walking through the space will find paintings, drawings, and other pieces created by both adult and young Missouri artists, offering a snapshot of the creative talent found in communities big and small throughout the state.
Artists in Residence Bring Their Craft to the Fair
Beyond the exhibits, the Fine Arts Building is also featuring artists in residence who are giving live demonstrations throughout the fair. Today through Monday, fairgoers have the chance to try their hand at a beloved folk art tradition thanks to Jennifer Wilkerson, who is teaching visitors how to paint their own miniature barn quilt.
Jennifer and her husband, Drew, run Bohemian Folk Barn Quilts, a studio based in Brookfield.
The couple has built a reputation for spreading their passion for barn quilt art, a craft rooted in rural American tradition that turns simple geometric patterns into colorful outdoor displays often seen mounted on barns and fences across the Midwest.
One attendee who visited a similar Bohemian Folk Barn Quilts setup shared how much she enjoyed the experience, saying she loved how the couple used an upstairs space for a hands-on activity that welcomed people of every age. She said the painting session was simply fun for everyone involved.
Live Music Rounds Out the Fair Experience
For those looking to enjoy more than visual art, the Missouri State Fair also offers a full lineup of live music throughout its eleven-day run. Concerts and performances are scheduled across multiple stages and locations at the fairgrounds, giving visitors plenty of options no matter what night they attend.
The combination of statewide art exhibits, interactive workshops, and live entertainment reflects the fair’s ongoing effort to celebrate Missouri’s creative community in one place.
Whether someone comes to admire the Missouri 50 exhibit, pick up a paintbrush and try barn quilt art for themselves, or simply enjoy a night of music, there is something to experience at the fairgrounds this year.
The Missouri State Fair runs through the coming week and a half, giving residents and visitors plenty of time to plan a trip to Sedalia and take part in the festivities before the fair wraps up.
