Lyon College announces Martha Thompson Bowman as ScotsFest featured artist
BATESVILLE, Arkansas – Lyon College today announced the selection of alumna Martha Thompson Bowman as the featured artist for the highly anticipated 2023 ScotsFest, the 43rd Arkansas Scottish Festival and Lyon College Homecoming, set for Oct. 27-29 on the campus of Lyon College in Batesville.
Bowman will not only headline the ScotsFest art show. She will serve as a vendor, offering her exquisite artwork, jewelry, trivets and flower pots at the festival. Her participation promises to be a highlight of ScotsFest, showcasing the exceptional talent and multifaceted achievements of Lyon College’s talented alumni.
Bowman is a licensed mental health counselor, licensed addictions counselor, certified eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, certified EMDR consultant and music therapist. She is also an artist, singer/songwriter and former magazine publisher.
“We are thrilled to have Martha as the featured artist at ScotsFest this year,” said Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement. “Her journey from Lyon College through her diverse career path exemplifies the spirit of exploration and creativity that we strive to instill in all our students. We eagerly anticipate her homecoming and the opportunity for our current students to be inspired by her remarkable accomplishments.”
Bowman started art lessons in oil painting in second grade while growing up in 29 Palms, California. Her family moved from the southern California desert to the Ozarks when she was starting eighth grade. She graduated from Salem High School in 1983 and then attended Lyon College, where she graduated with a degree in media arts and music in 1988. While in college, she was active in varied artistic endeavors, including photography, choir and band. She also worked for The Batesville Guard.
After graduating, Bowman further ventured into the field of journalism, contributing significantly to multiple newspapers including a notable period as the managing editor of a daily newspaper in Winchester, Indiana, and later as a writer for a publication in Batesville, Indiana. Her exceptional writing skills were further exemplified during her tenure at The Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Indiana, where she honed her craft for over a decade.
In 2004, Bowman’s passion for psychology and counseling led her to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Ball State University in 2006. With a subsequent degree in music therapy, Bowman showcased her dedication to aiding others through her wide-ranging expertise.
Her artistic prowess expanded beyond traditional forms of expression as she discovered the art of paint pouring, culminating in an exquisite collection that gained recognition in the Brown County Backroads Artist Tour, where she opened her home studio for tours in 2021 and 2022.
Her artwork, ranging from traditional paintings to innovative creations such as wearable and functional art, has been featured prominently in businesses throughout Nashville, Indiana, contributing to the vibrant arts community that draws 3 to 4 million people each fall. Notably, Bowman’s commitment to her craft has led her to repurpose various items, transforming everyday objects such as flower pots, vases and small tables into stunning pieces of art.
“It is a great honor to be chosen as the Scots Fest featured artist this year,” Bowman said, reflecting on her time at Lyon College. “My years at Lyon College were some of the best years of my life, and I treasure my memories there. It is a beautiful gift to participate in Scots Fest this year.”
Lyon College Professor of Art Dustyn Bork, who organizes the ScotsFest art exhibition, said Bowman’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of creative exploration.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the creative achievements of our alumni and an excellent showcase for our current students to see what a creative practice can look like beyond art studies,” said Bork.
ScotsFest, set for Oct. 27-29, has long been a beloved event in Arkansas, celebrating Lyon College’s rich Scottish heritage while bringing together Lyon College students, alumni and visitors to the Batesville community. Last year, more than 5,500 people joined in the festivities, and this year, there is even more to experience at ScotsFest.
Edwards Commons is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information about ScotsFest, please visit ARScottishFest.com.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.