Midland Storytelling Festival

06/13/2026

It was a great day for stories about Great Dads. We heard stories of dads who were high school football stars, musicians, cooks and the forerunner to Macgyver when it comes to rigging things up and making them work. Noted Midland author, Berry Simpson's stories were the perfect way to kick off celebration of Father's Day.

Pictured are three of the essay contest winners (Theo Ware. Kendra Williams and Harper Ware). They can use their awards of Bass Pro Shop Gift Cards to make more memories with their dads.

06/06/2026

Midland Storytelling Festival conducted a Great Dad Essay Contest and the winners are: Harper Ware, Keondra Wiliams, Amalia Galarraga, Theo Ware and Zoe Galarraga!
Plan to join us June 13th at 2 PM at the United Way Training Center (1209 W Wall; Midland, TX 79701) for an afternoon celebrating Fathers. Entertainment for the afternoon will be from noted Midland author Berry Simpson and our essay contest winners. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Grab a friend and come join us!

05/13/2026

Young Writers Wanted...Midland Storytelling Festival invites young writers to share a meaningful story about their father or a father figure who has influenced their life.

Essay submission requirements:
Typed Essay (12 point font)
500-1,000 words
Include Student Name, Age, School & Parent/Guardian Info
Deadline: May 31, 2026 (late entries will not be accepted)
Email entries to @gmail.com

04/05/2026

04/03/2026

Midland author, Berry Simpson will be the featured teller for a special afternoon of stories celebrating Fathers. Young writers are invited to participate in an essay contest and share stories about a father or father figure who has made an impact in their life. Winners will present their stories at our Father's Day Event and receive Bass Pro Shop gift cards! Refreshments will be provided and admission is FREE. Please like, share and plan to be there.

03/14/2026

Put your green on and come on...Story Lab 3/17/26. (Details in comments.)

03/10/2026

The final Story Lab for 2026 takes place on March 17th at 6:30 PM at Midland College in the Carrasco Room. It will be St. Patrick's Day and in true storytelling style, our master teller is Sue O'Halloran of Lady Lake, FL. O'Halloran's specialty is personal stories that conjure a sense of history and place, often from different perspectives. Her 40+ years of being a storytelling artist and speaker has taken her to stages, schools, televised broadcasts and festivals around the world where clients agree her stories are "inspirational and entertaining!"

Story Labs target an intergenerational audience of persons from teens through those in their wisdom years. Food will be provided and you're guaranteed to have an evening of thought-provoking and fun reactions and interaction based on the shared experience of O'Halloran's stories. Admission is FREE. Wear something green so you can be in the drawing for a Starbuck's gift card.

Please like, share and plan to be there!

02/18/2026

Storytelling is alive and well in Midland Texas. This year's Black History Tribute was a moving afternoon of cultural inspiration from start to finish. Thank you to the Museum of the Southwest for partnering with us for a 5th year for this event. Special thanks also goes to Terrill Littlejohn, Silent Witness, Paul-DeAngelo Best and The West Texas Chapter GMWA for sharing your inspiring gifts. In accordance with this year's theme, "WE WILL GO ON"!

02/12/2026

Join us for the 5th year of this collaboration in celebration of Black History Month.

Midland Storytelling Festival is coming to the Museum of the Southwest this Saturday, February 14! 📖

Celebrate Black History Month with “We Will Go On!”, an inspiring afternoon of storytelling, gospel music, and mime ministry that honors history, resilience, and community.

🗓 Saturday, February 14 at 2 PM
📍 Turner Mansion at Museum of the Southwest
🎟️ FREE admission - Museum admission not required to attend
✨ Light refreshments provided

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HOURS

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, 2 to 5 pm
Closed Monday

DAILY GENERAL ADMISSION
$12 for adults and young adults ages 12 and above
$8 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11
Children ages 2 and under are free

Annual Museum memberships can be purchased at the Visitors Desk or online at www.museumsw.org/membership

ADMISSION IS FREE ON SUNDAYS, thanks to Coterra Energy.

02/10/2026

Midland welcomes Paul D. Best - Black Storyteller Writer Educator as a featured artist for a special tribute to Black Heritage Month in programs at Museum of the Southwest - Midland, Texas and Midland College.

Audiences will have an opportunity to experience storytelling by Mr. Best who is artist teacher and Penn Museum’s resident storyteller.

In tandem with his role at Penn Museum, he is also Director of Oral History Projects at the Independence Seaport Museum. He is collecting the oral histories of Black women and men along the Delaware River to expand the museum exhibit, "Tides of Freedom". Events are FREE and open to the public.