Harlin Museum displays works from permanent collection

The Harlin Museum, 405 Worcester St. in West Plains is displaying select works from its
permanent collection through May 30.
The exhibit features previously unexhibited works by James Burkhart and Lee Copen, offering
visitors a look at Ozarks artistry through the work of two regional artists.
Burkhart, 1933-2011, was an accomplished artist whose work reflected both formal training and
a deep connection to place. After serving as a Navy ship’s artist, he earned a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute. He later lived with his wife along Bryant Creek in

Ozark County, where the natural beauty and quiet rhythms of the Ozarks influenced his
paintings.
Copen is an Ozarks artist and longtime art educator from Mtn. View. She taught high school art
for many years before her recent retirement. Working in both oil and watercolor, Copen is known
for landscapes that capture the beauty of the region, often featuring wide skies and scenes
inspired by the changing moods of the Ozarks.
The exhibit is open during museum hours, noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.