A fine-art photographer based in Amarillo is helping the iconic Midpoint Cafe in nearby Adrian, Texas, as it struggles through the economic ripples of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim Livingston, whom many readers may remember from his "I Am Route 66" project, said he would donate proceeds from the sale of photographs of the Route 66 … Continue reading Fine-art photographer lends a hand to struggling Midpoint Cafe
Category: Art
‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Murals in Cuba undergo a new preservation process
The city of Cuba, Missouri, is taking steps to protect its popular murals "for years to come" almost two decades after the first one was created. According to the Viva Cuba website, the city is using an Impact100 grant for the project: Involved since the inception, artist Shelly Smith Steiger is at it again. This … Continue reading Murals in Cuba undergo a new preservation process
Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena
A replica of the Doc Hudson character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" was unveiled Saturday at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. A local television station talked to Aaron Perry, proprietor of the shop that's housed in a former Texaco gas station: He thought Galena would be the perfect place to start Gearhead Curios … Continue reading Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena
Rihanna paints anti-Trump message on Cadillac Ranch; Trump supporters respond
It's an election year, so that means pro and con messages about presidential candidates will abound on Route 66 in the coming months. That includes at the famed Cadillac Ranch along Route 66 in Amarillo, where pop megastar Rihanna -- the one with 250 million records sold in her career -- spraypainted a message on … Continue reading Rihanna paints anti-Trump message on Cadillac Ranch; Trump supporters respond
Celebration set for Saturday for completion of Totem Pole Park restoration
After five years of work, restoration is complete of the main, 90-foot-tall totem pole at Ed Galloway's historic Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma. To celebrate, the park will host a free bluegrass-music jam from 2 p.m. until dusk Saturday. Refreshments and food trucks will be there. Face masks will be suggested, and organizers say … Continue reading Celebration set for Saturday for completion of Totem Pole Park restoration
Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
The Baxter Springs Historical Museum in Baxter Springs, Kansas, is holding an exhibit of a deceased local artisan who made unique tiny sculptures from peach pits, called "Pitt Pets." Duane M. Lee, who died at age 65 in 2005, made an estimated 10,000 of his Pitt Pets, according to his son Don, and gave them … Continue reading Baxter Springs museum holds an exhibit of late local artisan’s Pitt Pets
Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
The Meteor City Trading Post eventually will reopen for the first time since 2012 after its new owners have received a hand up from nearby Route 66 businesses and enthusiasts. The Arizona Daily Sun in a feature story recounts the three-year saga of Joann and Michael Brown of Indiana, who bought the abandoned and vandalized … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post being restored with a little help from their friends
Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
A story in the Tulsa World over the weekend sent me down a rabbit hole to find more about small-but-nicely-crafted replicas of the Statue of Liberty that were installed in 200 towns across America seven decades ago. The Tulsa newspaper noted the 8 1/2-foot-tall Statue of Liberty at 17th Street and South Harvard Avenue in … Continue reading Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam