Joplin’s East Town: A Legacy Revealed

Joplin’s East Town: A Legacy Revealed an exhibition although intimate offers a profound and immersive look into the often-overlooked history of the African American community of Joplin, Missouri, and its surroundings. This is more than an intimate art exhibition. It is a reclamation of history, a tribute to legacy, and a bold declaration of presence. Its essence lives within those of us rooted in this community.

The exhibition curated by Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, a fifth-generation Missourian and daughter of East Town, who’s nationally acclaimed work as a textile artist, painter, designer, and former curator of the American Jazz Museum gives this exhibition its depth and purpose, East Town: A Legacy Revealed is rooted in lived experiences—not folklore. It is personal. It is truth. And it is long overdue.

Cover image: Anthony High | Negro League Legacy

Reception: August 7, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm

Learn more about the artists below.

Charles Bibbs | Master Illustrator

Internationally acclaimed artist Charles Bibbs, whose work is featured in museums, galleries, organizations, and homes of many collectors, displays a deep sense of Spirituality, Majesty, Dignity, Strength, and Grace in his images. His work is done in a combination of realistic and larger-than-life interpretations of contemporary subjects that are ethnically rooted.

Born in San Pedro, California, and raised in Harbor City, California, Bibbs managed to work an eight-hour job and use his God-given talent in his spare time. But in 1991, Bibbs decided to leave his management position of 25 years, to form his publishing and distribution company, B Graphics and Fine Arts, Inc. Today, Bibbs is one of the top-selling artists in the country, and his business has grown to be one of the leaders in the African American art print market.

Larry Poncho Brown | Illustrator | Painter | Designer

“The African American art realm has been pressing onward because of the positive images that have become a narrative of our perseverance. My works attempt to capture SOUL while purposely depicting positive representations of African American culture. Art and imagery are the strongest forms to challenge the perceptions of African Americans in our society.”

Larry Poncho Brown, a Baltimore native, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design and photography from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His fine and commercial art has been widely published in Upscale, Ebony, Ebony Man, Essence, and Jet magazines. Brown’s art is featured in the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History’s book Wrapped In Pride and in Connecting People With Art.

Brown’s works have appeared on several popular TV shows, including A Different World, In The House, The Wire, The Carmichael Show, Star, and Greenleaf. His art is also seen in films like Avalon, He Said, She Said, and Soulfood.

Prominent individuals such as Bill Cosby, the late Dick Gregory, Anita Baker, and Bernard Bronner are among those who have his original works. His pieces are housed in corporate and institutional collections, including Coppin State University, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Yale New Haven Health Park Avenue Medical Center.

As a leading figure of the “Golden Age of African American Art” (1985–2000), Poncho was part of a group of artists who gained national recognition during The Cosby Show era. This era saw his art sold in 3000 galleries and displayed in 500,000 homes. Rather than traditional gallery representation, these artists directly participated in community art and cultural festivals. Poncho founded Raising The Arts, a philanthropic initiative that provides fundraising opportunities for nonprofit organizations. Over the past three decades, he has created over 70 images for various organizations. His accolades include the Artist of the Year award from the African American Visual Arts Association in 2000, the Heritage Arts Festival Palette Award in 2003, and the Save the Arts Award as Museum’s Choice in 2010.

Michael Brantley | Painter | Poet

“I paint from my head, keeping an open mind about techniques to allow innovation to be a proxy in bringing forth subject matter. For as long as I remember, art has been at the center of my life. While being raised and natured by an artist, creativity was accessible. encouraged and would become second nature – inspiring a lifetime of exploration and self-discovery. This would manifest in a career in the art industry. I am a fine artist living and working in Kansas City. I am a disciplined oil painter with an extensive painting IQ from hours of intense study and preparation. My work is a collection of paintings that celebrate the lifestyle and culture of Black America. I work mainly with the figure utilizing both contemporary and traditional methods of painting to present my ideas. I create art to inspire, inform, and provoke dialogue. My work can be found in exhibitions My portraiture can be found throughout the Midwest as well as private collections by devoted collectors.”

Dean L. Mitchell | Master Painter

Mitchell is well known for his figurative works, landscapes, and still life’s. In addition to watercolors, he is accomplished in other mediums, including egg temperas, oils, and pastels. Mitchell has been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, American Artist, Artist Magazine, Fine Art International and Art News.

His art can be found in corporate and museum collections across the country, including: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi; Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri; Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Missouri; Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, Kansas; The Autry National Center, Los Angeles; The Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; Gadsden Art Center Quincy, Florida; Canton Museum of Art, Canton, Ohio and the Library of Congress.

Dean L. Mitchell is represented by Marie Brooks Gallery in Quincy, FL Mac-Grader Gallery in New Orleans, LA, Astoria Fine Art in Jackson, Wyoming, Cutter & Cutter Fine Art in St. Augustine, FL E&S Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky, Hearne Fine Art in Little Rock, AR, J. Willott Gallery in Palm Desert, California, and The Red Piano Art Gallery in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Jason Piggie | Photographer | Film maker

Kansas City, Mo based photographer/filmmaker, Jason Piggie has been honing his skills in photography and filmmaking for the past three decades. Jason blended his thirty-six years of photographer and twenty year of filmmaking experience into a perfect marriage to create a thought provoking and inspiring works

Jason was the recipient of The Rocket Grant Award in 2019. He has received two residency opportunity through Charlotte Street Foundation. Jason has written and directed 15 short films including “A homecoming”, “Otis’ Song”, “Bad Dream”, ” Mattie’s Song”, ” Agent C” and “Domestic” and has won 1st place at the 3/5/7 Film Festival in the 5 Minute Category and in 2012 won best in show at the Arts KC show. He has exhibited in the Kansas City Artists Coalition: River Market Regional Exhibition, Reflecting the Time – The Box Gallery Kansas City Mo, Jazz Speaks to Life legacy – American Jazz Museum Kansas City Mo, All Hail to Hale – American Jazz Museum Kansas City Mo, Tomahawk Community Center: Overland Park Ks and Depictions: People, Places and Things Black Archives of Mid-America and Jazz Then and Now – American Jazz Museum Kansas City Mo. Jason Piggie currently lives in Kansas City Missouri, but has work in other parts of continental USA.

Charles Harbin | Painter

Charles Harbin, a native of Joplin, Missouri, is a distinguished painter and sketch artist whose work reflects a deep connection to his East Town roots. His artistic journey is characterized by a commitment to capturing the essence of his surroundings and experiences. Through his paintings and sketches, Harbin brings to life the landscapes, architecture, and moments that define his world, offering viewers a window into the heart of Joplin and the broader human experience. His work stands as a testament to the power of art in preserving and interpreting the narratives of everyday life.

Anthony High

“My career began about the age of five when my father tore open a brown paper bag and told me to write on it.  At that age, I could not really discern the difference between writing and drawing. So my reaction was to draw.  It was through this artistic awakening that I realized that not only must I draw but it was part of my DNA.

Much of my inspiration and subject matter comes from my African American heritage.  Although I primarily paint people of color, I don’t necessarily consider it “black art”.  I just call it ART.

I am at my best when I am incorporating my love of drawing, painting, and printmaking through an innovative printmaking process called collagraph, which is uniquely mine.  I believe that printmaking is one of the most underestimated and underutilized mediums in art.  It can be as drawing oriented as etching, as sculptural as a collagraph or as painterly as a monotype.

As an artist, I pride myself in thinking out of the box, so to speak.  Creating pieces that are a different twist from traditional or conventional techniques.  I feel that my best artwork is yet to come.”

Kansas City native Anthony High, is a multi-disciplined artist and educator. He has taught with the Kansas City, Missouri School District, The Nelson-Atkins Museum, Penn Valley Community College and his alma mater, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Using many mediums Anthony shines a light on the beauty of the Black Diaspora documenting life, history and culture through the pulse of his Kansas City roots.  Manifesting expressions of Jazz, Blues, Negro League Baseball history and even the 1954 world-changing Supreme Court decision, Brown vs. The Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas.

His work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and universities throughout the United States & Canada. His work has been featured in magazines KC Studio, Leawood Kansas City Lifestyle and The America Art Collection.  Most recently his piece ‘The Blue Room’ was featured in Universal Studios television series, “Bel-Air” by writer/director Morgan Cooper.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Art Education from Lincoln University and a Master’s degree in Studio Art from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

Jason Wilcox

J Art Pro is born out of Jason Wilcox’s creative mind, and influenced by a collaboration of painting, graphic design, video production, Fashion and music. Jason’s artistic vision developed from an early age and advanced through education at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. I am an Artist from Kansas City, MO.

“I am the commissioned Artist and “ghost painter” for Vivian Banks (Aunt Viv), played by Cassandra Freeman on Bel-Air Peacock TV Season 1, 2 and 3. In addition, I’ve displayed Artwork at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, exhibit titled: Testimony: African American Artists Collective. My piece is titled Survivor. My art has been featured in magazines, films, multiple local news channels, and an Adidas Commercial (Tribute to Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes MVP). I have also incorporated my art in runway fashion shows such as, Coalesce -The Art of Couture, UnBridal and Kansas City Fashion Week. Past gallery exhibitions include: Charlotte Street Capsule, Leedy-Voulkos Arts Center, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, Kansas City Art Institute KCAI Gallery, Jones Gallery, Johnson County Museum, American Jazz Museum, Kansas City Museum, ArtFusion Weekend KC, Spiva Center for the Arts, ArtsKC and more. 2023 Kansas City People’s Choice Awards Finalist for Best Visual Artist. Artistic Mission: to entice the viewer to escape reality and live an alternate life within the painting.”

Sonié Joi Thompson- Ruffin©

“I create to weave together experiences that have long been overlooked—expressions of joy, resilience, and the profound beauty found within the complexities of our existence. As a textile artist, painter, writer, curator, and arts installer, I work in many mediums, each piece a dialogue with the past and a celebration of the present. My work is a visual and tactile experience, where each thread, stroke, and installation carries a history of personal and collective identity. Through the sacred materials of cloth, earth pigments, and natural dyes, I weave together the African American narrative, grounding it in the lived experiences of those who came before. Each piece, whether a textile work, abstract painting, or installation, becomes a living artifact—one that reflects the migration of culture, the resilience of memory, and the beauty of struggle. My work serves as both a testimony to the lives and legacies of those who shaped our past and a documentation of the cultural journey we continue to walk.

I recently had the privilege of installing “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight” for Smithsonian SITES at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, of Kansas City where I was confronted with the numbing announcement that the military would no longer teach about the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen or any African Americans who have served in any capacity for this country. These men and women, and their family members, who served this country, include those I have had the privilege of knowing from my own community. To be rendered invisible in a space and time constructed by my ancestors is not only disheartening, but devastating to the spirit of being deemed less than human. This moment underscored the urgency of preserving and honoring Black history, deepening my resolve to bring these legacies to life through my work.

My art speaks to a universal experience, inviting viewers to not just see, but to feel the textures of life’s journey. The act of installation, particularly, offers me a space to engage with history in a deeply personal way, giving life to these testimonies and making them resonate in the present moment. Each work I create is a meditation on our shared humanity, a reflection through the language of color, texture, and form.

Cloth has been around since the beginning of time, and through it, I document through artistic creation a history too often silenced. This work is a testament to the layers of experience, joy, and history that continue to shape us, a tribute to the wings we each carry as we rise through the fabric of time.”

Born, raised and educated in Joplin, Missouri, Sara Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin is an internationally acclaimed textile artist whose work celebrates the African American narrative through mixed media, textiles, natural dyes, paint, raw earth pigments, and thread. Her artwork in textile is abstract and flamboyant. Her physical pieces reflect themes of celebration, movement, and joy, often achieved through the meditative process of stitching, dyeing and painting.

Former Curator of the American Jazz Museum’s Changing Gallery, her curatorial work spans exhibitions celebrating jazz in visual arts, literature, and performance, while her community activism focuses on advocating for African American artists and cultural preservation.

Based in Kansas City, Sonié is a fabric artist, designer, author, curator, educator, and arts advocate. She uses needle, thread, dye, paint, and earth as tools to express stories of cultural migration and connection, deeply influenced by African textiles and natural dyeing traditions passed down by her Great Grand’Mere and mother.

Her artwork has been featured in solo, group exhibitions and workshops at institutions such as the Renwick Smithsonian, Nelson-Atkins Museum, Bridge Projects, Riverside Museum, Holter Museum, Crystal Bridges, the David C. Driskell Center, Spelman College Musuem, the White House Rotunda, Harvard, and Lincoln university as well as in public art projects like, the Leon Mercer Jordan East Patrol and Crime Lab in Kansas City, and Truman medical Centers.

Sonié has received numerous accolades, Charlotte Street Fellow, Art Omi Fellow, Persimmon Creek Arts Fellow, Kansas Masters, Leedy-Volkous Legacy Artist, and 2022-23 USA Artist Nominee, Delta Sigma Theta Arts & Letters Award Woman of Courage, Women to Watch in Fiber& Textile / National Women’s Museum. She is the creator of the image of “Mandela” for Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Alvin Ailey artist for Race, Place, and Diversity.

Sonié’s art is held in prestigious collections, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Spencer Musuem of Art, McClain Collection, Waldo Group, Pembroke Hall Family Foundation, Hotel 21C, Sprint Collection and the William Gautreaux Collection.

She is a co-founder of the prestigious African American Artists Collective and has contributed significantly to Kansas City’s arts community, including serving as curator for the American Jazz Museum’s Changing Gallery. She is the Vice Chair of the Musuem of Kansas City and member of the Leedy – Volkous Arts Foundation