Devil’s Promenade

Devil’s Promenade is a road in rural Missouri, near the Arkansas and Oklahoma borders in the southwestern portion of the Ozarks. It is home to the “Spook Light,” a strange nighttime phenomenon sporadically witnessed as a glowing ball of light. Spook Light may disappear and reappear, bob and waver and is occasionally seen splitting into two or three orbs of light. Although yet to be explained by science, theories abound, and the light has given rise to plenty of folklore.

Photographers Lara Shipley and Antone Dolezal returned to their home region to find their own meaning in this isolated geographic area, which is rich in natural splendor, storytelling and Protestant religious themes of light and dark. Their project weaves together portraiture with landscape, local history with folklore, present-day photographs with found photographs, and expresses the importance of religion among residents. Rather than providing a singular, unified narrative, Shipley and Dolezal open an artistic window onto this place and its people, leaving room for questions and interpretation.

Devil’s Promenade is part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial: backstories. Now in its seventh iteration, the Biennial activates over 100 projects at museums, galleries, universities, and public spaces throughout Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky in October 2024. Support for this 2024 FotoFocus Biennial exhibition was provided by FotoFocus.