Local artist Marc Brannan’s artwork will be featured on OzSBI’s first floor from early January through the end of March 2026. The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and the Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Visitors may view the display during OzSBI’s business hours, Monday-Thursday 8-5, and Friday 8-4.
Artist statement:
Marc Brannan grew up on the family farm near Willow Springs, MO., and currently lives and works in West Plains, MO. He started playing with cameras and taking pictures at a very young age. He loved playing on the farm, including the old barn, and enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible surrounded by nature. His parents nurtured his desire to travel and see new places. His dad encouraged him to learn and enjoy history, especially the history of his family and where they came from.
“I have always enjoyed the stories of my mom attending one-room schools when she was a kid, and I think that is a big reason I seek them out to photograph today. There are less of them around every year, as a lot of them slowly fall into disrepair and collapse unless they have been cared for or restored over the years. I love incorporating them into my landscape photography as much as I can, especially as a way of preserving their history. I also enjoy nature photography and have started trying to capture more shots of wildlife, both in and out of our area. I started taking a lot of pictures by the time I was in middle school, mainly with point and shoot 110 cameras. It was fun to drop off the film for development, and then look forward to seeing what I had captured. I started to get more serious about taking pictures of old or historical buildings in our area a little over a decade ago. I would go for a drive out in the country and notice the old townships along the way that are slowly disappearing. I would try to find an old store, or church, and if I was lucky, the old schoolhouse. Something historical that could share a little bit of that town’s history. I also strive to meet with the owners of those buildings or local residents, to help provide personal accounts of their history. A lot of the time, they are stories that won’t be documented in any history books. Most recently, astral photography has made its way into my skill set.
I bought my first digital camera in the early 2000’s, and it allowed me to slowly learn the craft of digital photography. In the last two years, I have really gotten more in depth, using a newer digital camera, and working hard to learn more camera techniques. I have focused more on bringing the art out in my pictures, taking a simple pic, and showing the viewer that there is so much more around us then we typically take time to see. I have found the best teacher is just going out and doing it – trying different shots, compositions, angles, lighting, and just seeing first- hand what works. At some point, I would like to put together a book of photos, possibly a history of schoolhouses and townships that I have searched out in my efforts.
The pictures that I have selected for this exhibition show a range of my photos that depict the history and outdoor settings that reside in our area, as well as other regions, are known for. It’s just a glimpse of what we can see in the Ozarks, or outside of them .”
A Meet-the-Artist reception will be held on March 11 from 3-5 in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave in West Plains. The public is invited to attend to meet Brannan and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison madisonsutterfield@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or Kathleen Morrissey with the WPCA at kmorrissey@outlook.com.
