Images: St. Joseph, MO City Hall and Missouri Theater

In 2027, the City of St. Joseph will celebrate the 100th anniversary of two of its most iconic buildings: City Hall and the Missouri Theater. A key contributor to both projects was a young artist named Waylande Gregory, who sculpted the intricate plaster decorations that still adorn the theater’s walls and ceiling today. His designs drew inspiration from Persian and Assyrian architecture and sculpture, including the impressive lamassu figures that flank the stage.

In honor of this centennial celebration, the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art is pleased to present an exhibition of Gregory’s work that will open November 15, 2026 and run through January 11, 2027. In addition to his early architectural contributions, the exhibition will highlight Gregory’s later career, when he became known for producing striking Art Deco ceramics for distribution through high-end department stores and art galleries – figures, plates, and decorative objects created to support his family from the late 1930s through the 1950s.

We invite you to visit the museum and explore the legacy of an artist whose vision helped shape two of St. Joseph’s most treasured landmarks!

Commemorative Book - Share Your Stories!

Please share your personal story of the Missouri Theater. You know you have told it before. Now, we want to curate these recollections!

Stories big and small come together to preserve individual histories while forming our collective narrative. Please include any anecdotes, prose, poetry, photos*, and/or other artifacts to help future generations understand the rich heritage this grand old dame has afforded us.

All recollections require a Release Form below filled out in full to be eligible for use in the publication, Recollections of the Missouri Theater, curated by Valeri Jones. All proceeds from the sale of any publications above the publishing costs will go directly to: The Friends of the Missouri Theater.

To Return: Mark your documents as Missouri Theater Stories. Deliver or mail the completed Release Form and any additional pages to:

Allied Arts Council of St. Joseph 118 S 8th St, St Joseph, MO 64501 Hours of operation are M-F, 9am-5pm. Please see note on *Photos below.

ELECTRONIC COPIES: NOTE - The Release Form must be in physical (printed) form. Email electronic copies of your story to recollectionsofimport@gmail.com and/or use the QR Code provided on the form. You can also click here to digitally fill out your story.

*Photos: Photos cannot be returned. Please attach an electronic photo of your prized snapshot and email it to recollectionsofimport@gmail.com, or include a non-returnable physical print to the Allied Arts Council office.

Last Event in 2025 on Nov. 13th - “Autumn Talks on St Joseph’s Landmark Year – 1927.” See events in 2026. Details coming soon.

Centennial Celebration Events!