Over the past year, our team of editors, writers, and freelancers at St. Louis Magazine has shared so many stories. From behind-the-scenes looks at new projects to interviews with some of film and TVs brightest stars, there were so many stories to choose from as we looked back over a year in culture coverage. (So many, in fact, contributor Steve Leftridge had to curate a separate list of highlights from the music beat.) Here are some of our favorites of 2024:
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Martin Luther King, Jr., August 6, 1965. Photograph by Yoichi R. Okamoto, courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Wikimedia Commons.
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Martin Luther King, Jr., August 6, 1965. Photograph by Yoichi R. Okamoto, courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Wikimedia Commons.
JANUARY
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- The Black Rep kicked off its 47th season with a production of Paul Webb’s Hold On!, which inspired the Academy Award–nominated film Selma.
- Arts insider Jen Roberts caught up with artist Aaron McMullin about her striking “Legacy Quilt Project,” then on display at Wildfruit Projects.
- Local composer Christopher Stark reflected on the 20th anniversary of Live at the Pulitzer, the collaborative arts series that blends intimate concerts with gallery works.
Henri Matisse, French, 1869–1954; “Bathers with a Turtle”, 1907–08; oil on canvas; 71 1/2 x 87 in. (181.6 x 221 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. 24:1964; © 2023 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Henri Matisse, French, 1869–1954; “Bathers with a Turtle”, 1907–08; oil on canvas; 71 1/2 x 87 in. (181.6 x 221 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. 24:1964; © 2023 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
FEBRUARY
- The Saint Louis Art Museum offered a unique take on one of the world’s most popular artists with Matisse and the Sea.
- We caught up with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ Danny Williams about the state of the company and the season’s final production, August: Osage County.
- The Missouri History Museum provided SLM with a sneak peek of their 1904 World’s Fair gallery revamp ahead of the grand reopening in April.
Chappell Roan. Photo by Lucienna/@luxienne. Courtesy of the artist.
Chappell Roan. Photo by Lucienna/@luxienne. Courtesy of the artist.
MARCH
- Jeannette Cooperman shared the fascinating life story of portrait artist Greta Kempton, who painted president Harry S. Truman.
- We managed to snag time with one of the busiest women in comedy, Kathleen Madigan, between podcast recordings and tour stops.
- Culture writer Max Havey spoke with one of 2024’s biggest stars, Chappell Roan, ahead of her visit to St. Louis as opener for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour.
Photo by Carrie Zukoski.
Photo by Carrie Zukoski.
APRIL
- Havey also caught up with filmmakers Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, whose Girls State dropped on Apple TV+ in April after wowing film fest crowds.
- Photographer Carrie Zukoski captured the final Lo-Fi Cherokee, which welcomed its last group of musicians and fans this year.
- We eagerly explored the work underway to renovate Powell Hall as the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra reached the halfway point on the ambitious project.
Photo by Micah Kandros.
Photo by Micah Kandros.
MAY
- Editorial intern Eliana Jenkins sat down with White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge following her 2024 commencement address at Washington University.
- Dance writer Lauren Warnecke got all the details on the relaunch of Big Muddy Dance Company as Saint Louis Dance Theatre, marking a new era for the venerated company.
- Former Cardinal Adam Wainwright shared his passion for songwriting with music writer Tricia Despres.
JUNE
- A nearly decade-long collecting initiative culminated in the Missouri History Museum’s Gateway to Pride exhibit, which tells the story of St. Louis’ LGBTQ+ community.
- Local artist Chelsey Farris shared her work on the US Open’s 2024 theme, “Celebrating the Power of Tennis,” with editorial intern Maisie Zipfel. Farris interpreted the theme using a series of tennis balls designed around elements such as speed, energy, fun, and fans.
- St. Louis art-lovers got a chance to experience some of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection without leaving the Gateway City when Art and Imagination in Spanish America, 1500–1800: Highlights from LACMA’s Collection came to the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Glass work by MiNHi England from
Glass work by MiNHi England from 
JULY
- Music writer Austin Woods sat down with pianist Brian Woods (no relation) to talk about his debut album, Wanderings, featuring compositions by Frédéric Chopin, Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, and Amy Beach.
- The New Jewish Theatre’s production of Red told a “profound story of art’s ability to spark critical thinking and transcend human emotion.”
- Stars from Netflix’s Blown Away showed their sculptural prowess at the Beyond the Familiar exhibition at Third Degree Glass Factory.
Brian Slaten and Kiah McKirnan as Brick and Maggie in
Brian Slaten and Kiah McKirnan as Brick and Maggie in 
AUGUST
- A classic melodrama unfolded onstage at The Grandel as part of the 9th annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis.
- Local writer Bart Baker saw a 15-year-old script finally come to life when Terry McMillan Presents: Forever, starring Taye Diggs and Meagan Good, premiered on Lifetime this summer.
- Writer Leila Somjee reflected on the 45th anniversary of hit television show The Facts of Life with St. Louis–born star Julie Piekarski, who played Sue Ann Weaver.
William Stanford Davis. Photo by Storm Santos.
William Stanford Davis. Photo by Storm Santos.
SEPTEMBER
- Culture writer Adam Davidson interviewed William Stanford Davis, the St. Louis–born actor behind beloved Abbott Elementary character Mr. Johnson.
- Ahead of its opening on September 25, editorial intern Ashlynn Perez spoke with the organizers behind Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, an impressive new exhibit at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.
- Executive editor Sarah Fenske shared the story of a one-night-only production based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon.
Steenz at their workspace. Photo by Matt Marcinkowski.
Steenz at their workspace. Photo by Matt Marcinkowski.
OCTOBER
- Artist and educator Steenz shared their new book with Samuel Sattin, Side Quest, which took a historical look at the vibrant world of role-playing games.
- Billy Bob Thornton brought his band to Belleville—and made time to emphasize his long-running love for Cardinals baseball.
- We caught up with The Countess herself, Luann de Lesseps, between reality show shoots and tour stops ahead of her visit to City Winery on the “Marry F Kill” cabaret tour.
Annotated image of Sugarloaf Mound from the Heckenberg Family Scrapbook. Photograph by Jennifer Colten. Courtesy of Joan Heckenberg.
Annotated image of Sugarloaf Mound from the Heckenberg Family Scrapbook. Photograph by Jennifer Colten. Courtesy of Joan Heckenberg.
NOVEMBER
- Fenske also spoke with John Wegrzyn, whose somewhat unique collection became the basis for a reflective exhibit at St. Louis’ National Blues Museum.
- The Missouri History Museum indulged in a bit of early holiday spirit when it brought together two iconic pieces of Judy Garland’s wardrobe from Meet Me in St. Louis for the museum’s 1904 World’s Fair exhibition.
- In November, we received word that major steps were being taken toward the goal of transferring full ownership of Sugarloaf Mound to Osage Nation. Thanks to collaboration between stakeholders and Counterpublic, a key land transfer and board resolution were secured.
Courtesy of Saint Louis Dance Theatre.
Courtesy of Saint Louis Dance Theatre.
DECEMBER
- Editorial intern Abigail Wetteroff shared the origins of two new exhibitions at the St. Louis University Museum of Art, The Past Beneath Our Feet and Renaissance Man.
- Woods dove deep with Cyanides, whose self-titled debut LP is a love letter to rock history’s lesser-known fringes. The group includes The Sinkhole owners Matt Stuttlet and Brian Will, whose Sinkhole Records is churning out new music from some of St. Louis’ best.
- Warnecke reconnected with the team at Saint Louis Dance Theatre to discuss their latest collaboration with Jazz St. Louis, the innovative holiday offering Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker.
