Ready for a day trip this winter?…look for the Bent Tree

by T.L. Huffman

Do you have a bent for hand-crafted art? Then Bent Tree Gallery is for you.

Marcia and John Whitt started a hand-made furniture business in their garage 36 years ago. The family business has evolved since then to its present 1,300 feet showroom with heated and air-conditioned workshops. The Gallery is located southeast of Bethany off of Hwy. 146 and has been open for about two years.

The Whitts owned a gallery in Clarksville, just south of Hannibal on the Mississippi River, for 11 years. Their daughter Stacy was the store manager.

They grew tired of the drive all the way across the state to visit the Gallery every weekend. They decided to build the Bent Tree Gallery on their farm. The location — in fact the very spot — is where John grew up. Marcia was born in Iowa but has lived there since college and marriage.

The move worked out well for Stacy, too. Her business of creating leather bags is 95% online, allowing her to work from anywhere, and she was ready to move back to this area.

The Bent Tree Gallery is a family affair. Marcia makes baskets and fiber arts. John makes rustic furniture and accessories. Stacy Leigh designs leather handbags.

Marcia’s fiber art includes felted bags and hats. She learned basket making in 1981 after taking a class with some friends.

“I became entranced with creating baskets…different sizes, shapes, colors, textures… and haven’t stopped making them for 35 years,” she said.

Baskets, fibers, and weaving continue to fascinate her and she’ll spend the whole day, if she can manage it, in her little basket shop — an upcycled smoke house.

John’s handcrafted willow furniture for the home and porch is made of local wood and is kiln dried. Each piece is unique. John is self-taught; he began making rustic furniture in the garage in 1982.

Marcia Whitt of Bent Tree Gallery

“I use an age-old method of making furniture, using trees as they grow in their natural state, leaving their bark on,” John said.

He also designs and makes new works of art that are trendy and modern, compared to the traditional style he is noted for.

John said several celebrities have his furniture, including Neil Diamond, Eddie Murphy, George Lucas, and Marlo Thomas.

Stacy’s one-of-a-kind leather bags and purses, belts, and clothing are designed and made on-site.

“Stacy does a tremendous online business,” John said. “Not just America, but all over the world.”

Between 1981 and the present time, the Whitts have done craft shows, art shows, wholesale, and have had their work in shops and galleries in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado. They held demonstrations for four years at Silver Dollar City in Branson.

Marcia presently holds classes on fiber art and basket weaving. John teaches a two-day class on how to make a willow chair.

Go to the Bent Tree Gallery Facebook page or their website at thebenttree.com to view their products or sign up for classes. The Bent Tree Gallery is located at 27619 East 340th Street, Bethany. Phone 660-851-1154. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you’re coming from a distance, it is best to call just to make sure. The number is 660-851-1154.