In downtown Columbia, Bluestem Missouri Crafts is the kind of place where a hand-thrown mug, a carved wooden bowl and a pair of handcrafted earrings each come with a story worth keeping.
That story began in October 1983, when five artists—Sandy Litechy, Mary Benjamin, Marilyn Verner, Sue Luger and Cindy Messer—shared a dream of creating a place where Missouri-made art and fine crafts could flourish. Their goal was simple: give talented artists a home where they could connect with the community through authentic, handmade work.
More than 40 years later, that vision remains at the heart of Bluestem.
Today, the downtown gallery represents more than 200 artists from Missouri and neighboring states, featuring everything from pottery and woodworking to jewelry, glass, fiber art and painting. While technology has modernized the gallery's day-to-day operations, its mission has never changed: celebrating handcrafted artistry and the people behind it.
Every purchase includes a bio card introducing the artist who created the piece, giving customers the opportunity to take home not only beautiful artwork, but also the story behind it. That connection between maker and collector is what has made Bluestem a Columbia destination for generations.
Every artist represented at Bluestem is selected with intention. Quality comes first, followed by originality and the story behind the work. Owners look for pieces that make people stop, take a second look and discover something they've never seen before.
The result is a thoughtfully curated collection where every visitor can find something that feels personal—whether it's a meaningful gift, a statement piece or something they'll treasure for years.
That philosophy is also what sets Bluestem apart in an age of online shopping and mass-produced products.
As owner Stephen McBee likes to say, "If you can find it at Target, we don't have it."
Instead, every shelf is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces created by artists who pour time, talent and heart into their work. Customers aren't simply purchasing a mug, a pair of earrings or a decorative bowl—they're bringing home craftsmanship, creativity and a story they'll remember every time they use it.
Among the gallery's most popular pieces are handcrafted earrings and functional ceramics. While beautiful enough to display, they're also designed to become part of everyday life. Stephen describes sipping coffee from a handmade mug as "giving yourself an emotional hug."
Bluestem believes every visitor walks through its doors with a different story, which is why the gallery intentionally showcases such a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Whether someone is drawn to wood, clay, metal, glass or fiber, there's an opportunity to discover work that resonates on a personal level.
Over the years, the gallery has also witnessed the impact art can have on the people who create it. One artist represented by Bluestem is a retired Special Forces soldier who found healing and peace through faith and artistic expression after military service. Stories like his remind the Bluestem team that the true value of handmade art extends far beyond the finished piece.
Looking ahead, Stephen and Julie McBee are excited to continue traveling, discovering new artists and sharing their stories with central Missouri. As Stephen puts it, "Our widget is art, but really the currency we deal in is heartwork." It's a philosophy that has guided Bluestem for decades—and one that continues to connect artists, shoppers and the Columbia community through creativity, craftsmanship and genuine human connection.
Bluestem Missouri Crafts
13 S. 9th St.
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 442-0211
Email: office@bluestemcrafts.com
Website: bluestemcrafts.com
Meet the McBees
For Stephen and Julie McBee, taking ownership of Bluestem Missouri Crafts meant becoming stewards of one of downtown Columbia's most cherished small businesses.
When the longtime owners announced their retirement, the couple saw an opportunity to preserve the gallery's legacy while carrying its mission into the future. Rather than reinventing Bluestem, they've focused on building upon the foundation established by its founders—continuing to represent talented artists from Missouri and neighboring states while welcoming new makers along the way.
One of their favorite parts of ownership is traveling to meet artists, hearing the stories behind their work and sharing those stories with customers who value authentic, handmade craftsmanship.