Show Dates: January 8 – May 2, 2024
Ideas about what constitutes Appalachian identity are often external, stereotypes of what it means to come from a geographic area that is far too vast to encompass a single, homogenous people. The goal of this exhibition is to highlight the creative works of artists, writers, and crafters that show authentic Appalachian identity in its myriad of forms. We want to know how your interpretation of Appalachian identity resembles or differs from the (mis)representation that is often depicted. How does Appalachia affect identity actualization? We encourage our students, faculty, staff, and community members to display their work that highlights the truths and contradictions of Appalachian identity. What does Appalachian identity look like and mean to you?
December 12-15, 2023
May 6-10, 2024
The exhibition submission form can be found at the following link or by scanning the QR code:
https://marshall.libwizard.com/f/art_exhibition_form
JURORS
Kacy Lovelace, Research and Student Success Librarian
Michelle Alford, Library Information Systems Technologist
Dr. Heather Stark, Art Historian, School of Art & Design
Courtney Chapman, Gallery Director, School of Art and Design
Located at Babcock State Park in WV these early bridges had their own identity.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
West Virginia is the only state which lies completely in the region known as Appalachia. We are a diverse group of folks with ecclectic tastes, goals, and lifestyles. The most conservative of the red live here and the most liberal of the blue reside in the same towns. Others call us “red necks”, “hillbillies”, and illiterate. And yet we have Affrilachian poets like Nikki Giovanni and Frank X. Walker on our book lists. Others think “fiddle and banjo” yet my bagpipe instructor teaches me traditional Celtic songs (unaware that I am working on Rufus Harley’s jazz bagpipe list at home.) Tyler Childers said that people call him belligerent and mistake him for ignorant in a song and that burden follows those of us with advanced degrees. We have beautiful farms but we also have resorts such as the Greenbrier and Snowshoe in my home county. We have gardens, quilts, and grandmas who teach us the old stories but we also have modern facilities and culture in our state. There are deer, but there are also tales of cryptids here. Our communities fall victim to drugs, trailers, and families which require grandparents to step in to raise the next generation. But we have areas of stunning beauty and folks who have risen to fame through talent and education. It is the best of times and yet it is the worst of times. Mountaineers embraced the beauty and work to make the not so beautiful better.
If you are looking for the calm colors of the impressionists, keep looking. I am not the artist you are looking for. The name, Chaos Acres Studio, tells you about all you need to understand my work. I am off the neurodivergent charts and ADHD colors everything I do. My ideas come like explosions and I have to work nonstop to get them completed. I am moved by the colors of the Fauvists. Wild, right colors punctuated with black make the “wild beast” in me satisfied. Wassily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso populate my dreams and Dale Chihuly’s work Carrie’s me away. Those masters comprise my color combinations and the things which I love most are the abstract, the unique, the imperfect, and the unexpected. Old barns leaning to a side and ready to topple over move me. Rusty old cars and abandoned tractors which have weeds growing through them inspire me. I live to reclaim old jewelry, old tool pieces, broken glass, and pottery shards for new life in an antique or reclaimed frame. See an imperfect spot? See an imperfection on the frame? That is by design with my work. Flaws show a different kind of beauty and the unexpected keeps me surprised. I’m delighted by the offbeat, multiple layers to show different perspectives simultaneously, and old things made new.
When the general public hears the phrase, “West Virginia” or the phrase, “Appalachia” the consensus is often that it is a poverty stricken area populated with illiterate hillbillies who are missing teeth, driving old pick up trucks, and addicted to meth or opioids. Seldom to outsiders first reference Katherine Johnson or Bill Withers. But our state which lies 100% within the Appalachian region is so much more! Many of us are Mountaineers with advanced degrees, liberal leanings, and a huge appetite for Gencon, Comicon, Cryptids, and gaming. One only had to meet people who have traveled from all over the world to visit the list from the game, Fall Out, to see that we are kin to others outside our area. West Virginia is the home of the actor, Lurch, from the Adams Family, the Philippi mummies, and the Transallegheny Lunatic Asylum tours. Our beloved cryptids show themselves in Point Pleasant, Flatwoods, the hills around Snowshoe resort, and pop up inother places as well. Remember the “Keep Portland Weird?” Campaign? We are not just quiet country folk. We can outweird the best of them! Embrace the weird- which is a positive thing. The various logos in this show my acrylic abstracts, glass mosaics, and collages in ways to reiterate that not only are we “Wild and wonderful”, we are “weird and wonderful” as well. Steampunk accents and fused glass breaks up the Warhol type picture repetition, pouring weird on top of more weird! Embrace the weird and keep going, Mountain Mama!
If you are looking for the calm colors of the impressionists, keep looking. I am not the artist you are looking for. The name, Chaos Acres Studio, tells you about all you need to understand my work. I am off the neurodivergent charts and ADHD colors everything I do. My ideas come like explosions and I have to work nonstop to get them completed. I am moved by the colors of the Fauvists. Wild, right colors punctuated with black make the “wild beast” in me satisfied. Wassily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso populate my dreams and Dale Chihuly’s work Carrie’s me away. Those masters comprise my color combinations and the things which I love most are the abstract, the unique, the imperfect, and the unexpected. Old barns leaning to a side and ready to topple over move me. Rusty old cars and abandoned tractors which have weeds growing through them inspire me. I live to reclaim old jewelry, old tool pieces, broken glass, and pottery shards for new life in an antique or reclaimed frame. See an imperfect spot? See an imperfection on the frame? That is by design with my work. Flaws show a different kind of beauty and the unexpected keeps me surprised. I’m delighted by the offbeat, multiple layers to show different perspectives simultaneously, and old things made new.
Growing up in Appalachia made me who I am today. It led to me knowing that sure, a certain brand might taste better, but you might not be able to pay the bills if you get it, as well as how important it is to learn body language. As somebody with a really crappy family, I've been promised a lot of things, and at first, I believed EVERY word said. But after time, I learned how to read people, and I stopped feeling bad for myself. This piece, "Feed Me Lies, I Gain Nothing', falls into this exhibition perfectly, because growing up in Appalachia taught me how to live everywhere else. I can fend for myself because Appalachia taught me that people lie, even family.
Hello, my name is Leah Teasdale. I don’t know whether I consider myself an artist, or just a person who makes art. It might sound sort of posh, or wishy washy, but I feel like that limits the amount of things that people expect you to create, and while I value the art of catching people off guard, nobody really considers ‘great essays’ or ‘baked goods’ art, but those are things that I am good at, so I just consider myself a creator. One of my biggest inspirations is music. I can listen to a song, and feel one thing at one given time, and listen to it another time over, and feel a completely different thing. Its ever changing, and leads to very conceptually different, and aesthetically different work. All of which I am sure to crunch into my favorite describing term, ‘Krunky’. For my ‘art’, I normally utilize Ceramics and Sculpture, but I sometimes err onto the Painting and Drawing side of things. I prefer to do pottery. It's something I can mindlessly do for hours, and it's also something that can be conceptually challenging. In spite of all those things, I most prefer to bake and write. I love sitting down to write a long essay or start a novel I know I’m not going to finish, and I love making stuff like pies, cupcakes, and cookies for all of those around me. My ‘art’ stems from multiple things. It stems from my childhood, not having much other than the mud on the hill to fiddle with, it comes from my youth, seeing other people grow up in a different way than i was, it comes from my teenage years, meeting new people and messing up relationships, and it comes from me now, from finding myself and letting myself be who I want to be. My ‘art’ is not just art. My art is a little reflection into me, my upbringing, my ideals, my everything.
"We Have Always Existed Here" is a Pride Flag made up of traditional quilt motifs, disputing the misconception that Appalachia is a heterosexual, bigoted monolith and that queer people have always and will always live across the region.
My name is Linda McGuffey and I like to work in traditional Appalachian mediums such as wood carving, folk art painting, mask making, and quilting to keep these art forms from being forgotten by newer generations while incorporating themes such as folktales, legends, and queerness into my art.
Ideas about what constitutes Appalachian identity are very visible in this art. I took this photograph at New River Gorge a national park in West Virginia. I made this poster to highlight the beauty in Appalachia and how it is important to explore and appreciate the beautiful landscape around us in the Appalachian area.
My brand is more than just a fashion line; it represents the Appalachian area that has shaped my identity and values. Living in the tri-state region has exposed me to the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and the delicate balance between femininity and strength. Appalachian wildflowers, butterflies, and endless trails are portrayed throughout the designs. My brand is a reminder that girls can be strong and unique just the way they are while feeling beautiful. The name “Wonderfully Made” comes from a bible verse Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” In the original Hebrew text of the Bible, the word fearfully means with great reverence, heartfelt interest, and respect. The word wonderfully means unique, set apart, marvelous. You are crafted uniquely because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All women are beautifully and wonderfully made that is the point of my brand. My work is about encouraging girls to be confident, as a girl and embrace the feminine side. The brand is about making girls feel beautiful and unique. What sets Wonderfully Made apart is the deep connection it establishes between girls and the Appalachian environment. More than just clothes; it's about a lifestyle that encourages girls to explore, be confident, and appreciate their individuality. I have always been captivated by fashion, but I've also been an avid outdoors enthusiast. Whether it's running through the woods, hiking the trails, or riding horses, the Appalachian outdoors has become an integral part of my identity. My brand reflects this unique blend of interests and passions. I want to create a space where girls feel beautiful and confident. I want them to know that they are beautifully created just as they are. In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards and pressures on girls, I want my brand to be a sanctuary where they can find self-assurance and pride in their femininity. By combining my love for design, my connection to the Appalachian environment, and my dedication to empowering girls, I hope to make a meaningful impact. I want to inspire girls to embrace the outdoors, be themselves, and recognize their unique beauty. This project is not just a brand; it's a movement to make girls feel beautiful and strong, just the way they are.
This magazine was made from a brand I created "Wonderfully Made" the whole brand represents Appalachia and the importance of embracing the outdoors in the Appalachian area while also embracing feminity as a girl. Appalachia Is for everyone and its beauty is amazing that is what my brand and magazine represent and stand for is the beauty and importance of this Appalachian area.
My brand is more than just a fashion line; it represents the Appalachian area that has shaped my identity and values. Living in the tri-state region has exposed me to the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and the delicate balance between femininity and strength. Appalachian wildflowers, butterflies, and endless trails are portrayed throughout the designs. My brand is a reminder that girls can be strong and unique just the way they are while feeling beautiful. The name “Wonderfully Made” comes from a bible verse Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” In the original Hebrew text of the Bible, the word fearfully means with great reverence, heartfelt interest, and respect. The word wonderfully means unique, set apart, marvelous. You are crafted uniquely because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All women are beautifully and wonderfully made that is the point of my brand. My work is about encouraging girls to be confident, as a girl and embrace the feminine side. The brand is about making girls feel beautiful and unique. What sets Wonderfully Made apart is the deep connection it establishes between girls and the Appalachian environment. More than just clothes; it's about a lifestyle that encourages girls to explore, be confident, and appreciate their individuality. I have always been captivated by fashion, but I've also been an avid outdoors enthusiast. Whether it's running through the woods, hiking the trails, or riding horses, the Appalachian outdoors has become an integral part of my identity. My brand reflects this unique blend of interests and passions. I want to create a space where girls feel beautiful and confident. I want them to know that they are beautifully created just as they are. In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards and pressures on girls, I want my brand to be a sanctuary where they can find self-assurance and pride in their femininity. By combining my love for design, my connection to the Appalachian environment, and my dedication to empowering girls, I hope to make a meaningful impact. I want to inspire girls to embrace the outdoors, be themselves, and recognize their unique beauty. This project is not just a brand; it's a movement to make girls feel beautiful and strong, just the way they are.
My brand is more than just a fashion line; it represents the Appalachian area that has shaped my identity and values. Living in the tri-state region has exposed me to the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and the delicate balance between femininity and strength. Appalachian wildflowers, butterflies, and endless trails are portrayed throughout the designs. My brand is a reminder that girls can be strong and unique just the way they are while feeling beautiful. The name “Wonderfully Made” comes from a bible verse Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” In the original Hebrew text of the Bible, the word fearfully means with great reverence, heartfelt interest, and respect. The word wonderfully means unique, set apart, marvelous. You are crafted uniquely because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All women are beautifully and wonderfully made that is the point of my brand. My work is about encouraging girls to be confident, as a girl and embrace the feminine side. The brand is about making girls feel beautiful and unique. What sets Wonderfully Made apart is the deep connection it establishes between girls and the Appalachian environment. More than just clothes; it's about a lifestyle that encourages girls to explore, be confident, and appreciate their individuality. I have always been captivated by fashion, but I've also been an avid outdoors enthusiast. Whether it's running through the woods, hiking the trails, or riding horses, the Appalachian outdoors has become an integral part of my identity. My brand reflects this unique blend of interests and passions. I want to create a space where girls feel beautiful and confident. I want them to know that they are beautifully created just as they are. In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards and pressures on girls, I want my brand to be a sanctuary where they can find self-assurance and pride in their femininity. By combining my love for design, my connection to the Appalachian environment, and my dedication to empowering girls, I hope to make a meaningful impact. I want to inspire girls to embrace the outdoors, be themselves, and recognize their unique beauty. This project is not just a brand; it's a movement to make girls feel beautiful and strong, just the way they are.
I believe my piece fits the theme because the character depicted was originally deprived from my own self. Growing up in appalachia, my friends and I spent a lot of time playing pretend outside. This character started as my own alter ego, but grew into its own entity as time went on. I believe my work is an interesting twist for the exhibition since the style is more Japanese than anything. I think it serves as a way to show that Appalachia is full of so many different cultures instead of the typical narratives outsiders might think when discussing Appalachia.
Chylee Straley, born and raised in Huntington, WV, is a digital illustrator and animator who specializes in cartoon illustrations. Having found a strong interest in cartoons as a child, she decided that she wanted to create fascinating stories for people of all ages to indulge in and enjoy. Chylee is studying at Marshall University a BFA in Studio Art with a minor in Japanese. Being inspired by Japanese artwork and culture, she chose to begin learning the language, and is now awaiting to further her studies at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan during the Spring 2024 semester. Having a vibrant coloring style in her artworks, Chylee yearns to be able to mix and match different styles of artwork on her own. She continues to gain exposure from an online presence, @c_star_art on Instagram.
Our identities in Appalachian can endure troubled waters.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
This bridge combined a railroad track and road.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
Hanging clothes on a line was a necessity before electric/gas dryers.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
Musicians enjoying music on a porch.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
I created this poster as a project for my typography class. We were instructed to pick a location and a few adjectives for the location, I chose my home town of Harpers Ferry West Virginia and the adjective "Historic". I illustrated the scenic view of the Maryland Heights overlook that features the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. I wanted to bring a contemporary poster design to a location that is deeply historical. Discovering my Identity in this area of Appalachia deeply shaped who I am, and I am grateful for the experience of getting to grow up in Harpers Ferry, but also getting to take the time to mature as an adult in Huntington. (Attached is the same photo three times because I do not have an image of the work printed out and framed).
Alexander Vance is a designer who creates work informed by his personal experience as a queer Appalachian. His work was selected for Marshall University’s Annual Student Juried Exhibition held in the Birke Art Gallery. The selected works “Life Cycle of a Strawberry” and “And then rinse” were juried by Michael Stilion and Daniel Riede respectively. Vance’s work was displayed at the fall foundations review show in 2022 as well. Alexander has been honored with the acceptance into a regional call for submissions grant program called Appalachia Reframed hosted by a New York-based nonprofit; the New Media Advocacy Program. Through involvement with NMAP, Vance created My Wings Are Wrong, a children’s book about transgender youth in Appalachia. He is studying at Marshall University working towards a BFA in graphic design. He worked for West Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts in June 2023 as a graphic design intern. Artwork by Alexander Vance can be viewed at alexvance2003.wixsite.com/mysite or his Instagram @alexanders.art.
A railroad tunnel near Milton WV shows that life is dark and rough or light and smooth.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
Freedom is part of our Appalachian identity.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park portrays an old indoor bathroom, which was a luxury in our region.
Since 1991, Laura has been creating award-winning photographic landscape and scenic images. She is one of only 3% of professional photographers in the United States that has achieved national certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. She has completed requirements and successfully recertified in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, she was awarded Master Photographer in 2001 and Craftsman Photographer in 2012.
Laura is a Tamarack artist, whose work has been juried into galleries and art shows in WV, OH, and KY. She is one of the selected artists in the University of Charleston WV Artists Erma Byrd Gallery permanent exhibit.
She utilizes digital capture with minimal postproduction to produce images that evoke emotional memories to represent the beauty of nature. Laura’s goal and aspiration is to be a technically-proficient, aesthetically-pleasing photographer who continues to improve one’s craft. She continues to successfully compete in professional competitions and participate in continuing education activities.
Laura’s current goals include enhancing creativity utilizing digital imagery to portray realistic landscape images, exploring marketing and business development skills, continuing to use desktop publishing and graphic art skills to create collages and mixed media artwork.
The portfolio of Laura’s work includes publications, calendars, tourist brochures, speaking at local, state and regional conferences, solo and group exhibits, as well as selected participation in galleries, gift shops, and art and craft shows. A new area Laura is offering includes commissioned work for home décor, collages, and gallery wraps.
Community activities are important as well. Artwork has been donated to various nonprofit organizations. Laura also volunteers her time to serve on various board of directors. In 2009, Laura was awarded the Joseph W. Barta, Jr. Memorial Award for her outstanding service to the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.
Laura specializes in metallic images—extra glossy, almost 3D when viewed. Her framed artwork (and larger matted pieces) are dry-mounted and use nonglare glass. www.moulphotography.com
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
Identity is often a complex concept for many. Many individuals question their own capabilities and talents on a daily basis. It is so easy to not feel sufficient. I imagine such complexities of identity are excessively prevalent in Appalachia. So many try to overcome the circumstances they were born into. My poetry largely addresses such a journey.
Hannah Turner is an Appalachian poet who often writes of personal insecurities, self-discovery, and ascension beyond the ordinary. Hannah enjoys incorporating conversations of the natural world into her poems. There is much beauty all around us. Poetry enables a writer to communicate the beauty that underlies even the greatest misfortunes.
My Gender Is Not Yours To Decide was created in 2022 after senator Josh Hawley of Missouri refused to acknowledge that transgender men and nonbinary people may have the capacity to become pregnant in regards to the overturning of Roe V Wade. This quote however is not only relevant to that situation. As a transgender Appalachian I feel that my gender is assumed by strangers on the daily. To live as a queer person in a location that historically and politically is not on your side is scary. I wanted to make something that speaks to the LGBT community hidden in plain sight in Appalachia. A community that will decide for themselves who they are, and should continue to refuse the minimization of their identity. (I attached the same photo 3 times, it is a two dimensional work and I do not feel the need for additional detail shots or images of different angles.)
Alexander Vance is a designer who creates work informed by his personal experience as a queer Appalachian. His work was selected for Marshall University’s Annual Student Juried Exhibition held in the Birke Art Gallery. The selected works “Life Cycle of a Strawberry” and “And then rinse” were juried by Michael Stilion and Daniel Riede respectively. Vance’s work was displayed at the fall foundations review show in 2022 as well. Alexander has been honored with the acceptance into a regional call for submissions grant program called Appalachia Reframed hosted by a New York-based nonprofit; the New Media Advocacy Program. Through involvement with NMAP, Vance created My Wings Are Wrong, a children’s book about transgender youth in Appalachia. He is studying at Marshall University working towards a BFA in graphic design. He worked for West Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts in June 2023 as a graphic design intern. Artwork by Alexander Vance can be viewed at alexvance2003.wixsite.com/mysite or his Instagram @alexanders.art._
This diptych narrates a compelling tale centered on my father, highlighting his act of bravery that imparted a valuable lesson on appreciating the diverse fauna inhabiting the Appalachia region. His courageous example instilled in me a sense of caution without succumbing to fear, even in the presence of the most formidable creatures.
Silas Endicott, an artist residing in Wayne, West Virginia, is a versatile mixed-media artist with a background in graphic design and printmaking. They previously interned at On the Mark Creations, where they played a role in creating and printing diverse forms and screen-printed shirts for local businesses and schools. In addition to their graphic design work, Silas gained experience by assisting in community-based art workshops for older adults, such as Art and Aging. Silas specializes in three-dimensional art, with a focus on wood and metal, often incorporating additional elements like textiles and printmaking techniques. Their artistic creations reflect a profound influence from familial and Appalachian cultural elements, while also staying attuned to contemporary artistic trends through interactions with various artists. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture and a minor in marketing at Marshall University, Silas has showcased their artwork at notable venues at Marshall University including the Birke Art Gallery, the Student Gallery, the Carroll Gallery, and the Library Gallery. Their artistic contributions have earned them recognition, including a third-place award in the 37th Annual Student Juried Exhibition and a grant for participation in the group exhibition, Conceptions of Flight. For those interested in exploring Silas Endicott's artistic journey, both current and past works can be discovered on Instagram @silas_sculpts.
Contradictions of Home life of the mother who nurtures, loves and cares for her child v/s the reality of the home where drugs rule.
The works I have submitted deal with social issues. Subjects that are universally shared. The contradiction of the happy domestic life with the reality that many of our population actually live. The darkness many exist in when with courage and support they can break free and participate in a brighter future. I place these images before any who wish to look at them. Perhaps some will see themselves or someone they know.
This is a fallacy here the stronger party physically and emotionally abuses the weaker.
The works I have submitted deal with social issues. Subjects that are universally shared. The contradiction of the happy domestic life with the reality that many of our population actually live. The darkness many exist in when with courage and support they can break free and participate in a brighter future. I place these images before any who wish to look at them. Perhaps some will see themselves or someone they know.
Deals with gender and sexual identity and having to hide from social scrutiny in the darkness or face ridicule. The sensation of breaking free and following free will.
The works I have submitted deal with social issues. Subjects that are universally shared. The contradiction of the happy domestic life with the reality that many of our population actually live. The darkness many exist in when with courage and support they can break free and participate in a brighter future. I place these images before any who wish to look at them. Perhaps some will see themselves or someone they know.
The painting depicts the smell of morning coffee brewed on the stove alongside other tea kettles. It reminds us of the simpler days.
Christie Craft Saunders, a West Virginia native, is an active member of the TriState Art Association. She is a juried member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society and Tamarack Foundation. Her art work has been featured in many notable exhibitions. Christie was selected to paint the 2023 West Virginia First Lady’s annual Christmas ornament. Christie is a prominent Senior Attorney Advisor for a federal governmental agency.
Reflection of my love of art. I can live in Appalachia and be an artist.
For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed art. As a child I recall lying on my back looking at the wood grain patterns on the ceiling. I saw animals and faces and all kinds of things. I liked the repetitive patterns in the wallpaper wall in our home. I can’t image not touching things because I love textures. I incorporate color, texture, pattern and design into my art pieces. I experiment with a variety of everything from cake icing dyes to mulberries to achieve interesting colors in my wool roving, material and paper. Calligraphy sometimes shows up in the background or scratched in the frame. I am inspired by everything I see. Everywhere I look I find something tantalizing, a treat for the eyes. Even if it is a shadow or a crooked line, I can be inspired and use it in my art. I have worked in many different media. I was introduced to felting wool in a workshop. I immediately fell in love with the medium. I learned to spin several years ago and now use felting techniques and spun wool in my pieces. Every piece is different. It is my hope that each viewer will be intrigued and inspired.
There is a belief that people born in Appalachia are poor, when in reality they are rich with friendship and the natural beauty in the land around them.
For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed art. As a child I recall lying on my back looking at the wood grain patterns on the ceiling. I saw animals and faces and all kinds of things. I liked the repetitive patterns in the wallpaper wall in our home. I can’t image not touching things because I love textures. I incorporate color, texture, pattern and design into my art pieces. I experiment with a variety of everything from cake icing dyes to mulberries to achieve interesting colors in my wool roving, material and paper. Calligraphy sometimes shows up in the background or scratched in the frame. I am inspired by everything I see. Everywhere I look I find something tantalizing, a treat for the eyes. Even if it is a shadow or a crooked line, I can be inspired and use it in my art. I have worked in many different media. I was introduced to felting wool in a workshop. I immediately fell in love with the medium. I learned to spin several years ago and now use felting techniques and spun wool in my pieces. Every piece is different. It is my hope that each viewer will be intrigued and inspired.
Growing old in one of the most beautiful places on earth should be wonderful but its a long way for health care that we need has we age.
For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed art. As a child I recall lying on my back looking at the wood grain patterns on the ceiling. I saw animals and faces and all kinds of things. I liked the repetitive patterns in the wallpaper wall in our home. I can’t image not touching things because I love textures. I incorporate color, texture, pattern and design into my art pieces. I experiment with a variety of everything from cake icing dyes to mulberries to achieve interesting colors in my wool roving, material and paper. Calligraphy sometimes shows up in the background or scratched in the frame. I am inspired by everything I see. Everywhere I look I find something tantalizing, a treat for the eyes. Even if it is a shadow or a crooked line, I can be inspired and use it in my art. I have worked in many different media. I was introduced to felting wool in a workshop. I immediately fell in love with the medium. I learned to spin several years ago and now use felting techniques and spun wool in my pieces. Every piece is different. It is my hope that each viewer will be intrigued and inspired.
One can leave Appalachia but Appalachia never leaves you.
For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed art. As a child I recall lying on my back looking at the wood grain patterns on the ceiling. I saw animals and faces and all kinds of things. I liked the repetitive patterns in the wallpaper wall in our home. I can’t image not touching things because I love textures. I incorporate color, texture, pattern and design into my art pieces. I experiment with a variety of everything from cake icing dyes to mulberries to achieve interesting colors in my wool roving, material and paper. Calligraphy sometimes shows up in the background or scratched in the frame. I am inspired by everything I see. Everywhere I look I find something tantalizing, a treat for the eyes. Even if it is a shadow or a crooked line, I can be inspired and use it in my art. I have worked in many different media. I was introduced to felting wool in a workshop. I immediately fell in love with the medium. I learned to spin several years ago and now use felting techniques and spun wool in my pieces. Every piece is different. It is my hope that each viewer will be intrigued and inspired.
At first view I experience time traveling from a first settlers cabin through generations to present time.
A native of Huntington, WV, I began my college career on a football scholarship to Syracuse University. I then transferred and earned my teaching degree in 1959 and my Master's degree in art education in 1960, both at Marshall. While a student, I was captain for Marshall's team in 1958. I also did post-graduate work at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. I enjoy working in a variety of media, including metal and wood relief, photography, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, transfer prints and stained glass. I am mostly know for architecture, grids, maps, mechanical parts, engineered structures, pattern and repetitive designs. My current works are studies in spacial relations creating an illusion of a depth of field in a shallow space. I use layers of transparent transfers, collage materials and 3D form images in bas-relief.
My love of steamboats began in the early 40's during World War II. I spent countless hours watching streams of sternwheelers on the Ohio River. I recall the fun I got racing the boats on the top of the levee.
A native of Huntington, WV, I began my college career on a football scholarship to Syracuse University. I then transferred and earned my teaching degree in 1959 and my Master's degree in art education in 1960, both at Marshall. While a student, I was captain for Marshall's team in 1958. I also did post-graduate work at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. I enjoy working in a variety of media, including metal and wood relief, photography, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, transfer prints and stained glass. I am mostly know for architecture, grids, maps, mechanical parts, engineered structures, pattern and repetitive designs. My current works are studies in spacial relations creating an illusion of a depth of field in a shallow space. I use layers of transparent transfers, collage materials and 3D form images in bas-relief.
This piece represents West Virginia's sesquicentennial. When planning this project I realized I had lived in this state for more than half of those 150 years and I could visually record events that were meaningful to me.
A native of Huntington, WV, I began my college career on a football scholarship to Syracuse University. I then transferred and earned my teaching degree in 1959 and my Master's degree in art education in 1960, both at Marshall. While a student, I was captain for Marshall's team in 1958. I also did post-graduate work at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. I enjoy working in a variety of media, including metal and wood relief, photography, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, transfer prints and stained glass. I am mostly know for architecture, grids, maps, mechanical parts, engineered structures, pattern and repetitive designs. My current works are studies in spacial relations creating an illusion of a depth of field in a shallow space. I use layers of transparent transfers, collage materials and 3D form images in bas-relief.
As an artist and teacher I attempt to expose viewers to a contemporary art world by using 3D images.
A native of Huntington, WV, I began my college career on a football scholarship to Syracuse University. I then transferred and earned my teaching degree in 1959 and my Master's degree in art education in 1960, both at Marshall. While a student, I was captain for Marshall's team in 1958. I also did post-graduate work at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. I enjoy working in a variety of media, including metal and wood relief, photography, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, transfer prints and stained glass. I am mostly know for architecture, grids, maps, mechanical parts, engineered structures, pattern and repetitive designs. My current works are studies in spacial relations creating an illusion of a depth of field in a shallow space. I use layers of transparent transfers, collage materials and 3D form images in bas-relief.
If you asked around the country what the roll of women in Appalachia is, most would talk about women being home, tending the house and children. While raising girls in this area, it is important to emphasize to them that you can embrace different parts of the culture and also chose to dream big, to achieve your goals and be successful outside of the home.
Graduated in nursing from Marshall. Enjoy photography as a hobby.
“Antique Bonfire” is a picture of an old table burning in a bonfire. This piece encompasses the Appalachian tradition of having a burn pile or bonfire. Bonfire and burn piles are a common occurrence in the Appalachia region (so common that we have laws to regulate it). They are an opportunity for celebration with friends and family and a method to dispose of old junk and trash lying around. This piece highlights the ugliness of the Appalachian stereotype we have and beauty of this Appalachian tradition we see.
I am an emerging Appalachian photographer who points my camera at whatever grabs my attention. My work aims to stir various perceptions in the people who view it. What one person might find to be a tragic and empty scene; another might find an eerie admiration. I strive to capture the beauty and chaos in the natural and industrial landscapes around us.
“A Roam of Rotary Park” is a picture of a bridge and the surrounding trees I took while walking in Rotary Park of Huntington, WV. Appalachia is a region known for its beautiful mountains, trees, and overall woodsy feel. This piece represents the natural aspect of what it means to be from Appalachia. Appalachia is full of various scenes and trails that attracts people to our region, and this is just one of them.
I am an emerging Appalachian photographer who points my camera at whatever grabs my attention. My work aims to stir various perceptions in the people who view it. What one person might find to be a tragic and empty scene; another might find an eerie admiration. I strive to capture the beauty and chaos in the natural and industrial landscapes around us.
Part of the Appalachian identity comes from the history of Appalachia, and the history this piece highlights is railroads. From passenger trains to coal transportation there are train tracks all over Appalachia, with some still in use. "A Natural Track" shows the beauty of the train tracks against the deep green trees, both roots of the Appalachian landscape and identity.
I am an emerging Appalachian photographer who points my camera at whatever grabs my attention. My work aims to stir various perceptions in the people who view it. What one person might find to be a tragic and empty scene; another might find an eerie admiration. I strive to capture the beauty and chaos in the natural and industrial landscapes around us.
“A Home in Huntington, West Forgotten” is a picture of an abandoned house in Huntington, West Virginia. Appalachia (especially West Virginia in particular) is often represented as a poor region with dilapidated and abandoned homes, and that is one stereotype that has some truth to it. Many parts (but not all) of Appalachia include low-income areas where people struggle to live and are forced to abandon their homes. There are dozens of abandoned homes in West Virginia and more people are leaving. This is a sad truth that we need to face before more people try to abandon their homes and their Appalachia identity.
I am an emerging Appalachian photographer who points my camera at whatever grabs my attention. My work aims to stir various perceptions in the people who view it. What one person might find to be a tragic and empty scene; another might find an eerie admiration. I strive to capture the beauty and chaos in the natural and industrial landscapes around us.
A mother taking her children to the grocery store is an Appalachian staple. One will always see a mother with her children attached at the hip just trying to navigate and try to find things to fix for supper. In this piece, I parallel that by depicting myself (a queer, "non-traditional" representation of an Appalachian youth) as a single mother holding two weighted stuffed animals, my children.
Jacob Wood is an artist, advertiser, and designer who creates work that experiments with the peculiar and unorthodox. As a colorblind artist, he uses color to his advantage and experiments with the unknown. In this piece, he expresses his own identity through allusions and color choice. He has exhibited his work in Marshall University’s Charles W. & Norma C. Carroll Gallery, Marshall University's Birke Art Gallery, the Second Street Gallery in Virginia, the Huntington Museum of Art, and more. He recently exhibited a solo show that explored his experience as a colorblind artist. He has received recognition through scholarships and competitions, such as the Donald B. Harper Honors Program and first prize in the 2022 Black History Month Poster Competition at Marshall University. He is studying at Marshall University towards a BFA in Graphic Design, a BA in Advertising, and a minor in Creative Writing. He was born in Huntington, WV but now lives in Kenova, WV.
This piece explores the beauty and significance of Appalachia and her people. While focusing on an specific art form (barn quilts) and introducing that imagery to a new medium, the sculpture speaks on Appalachian's strength in community, the importance of craft, and the honor of identifying with the region.
The Stitch of a Quilt on a Barn in Appalachia was created as an homage to Appalachia. I became fascinated with barn quilts, a regional form of folk art, during a solo road trip through our beautiful mountainous region in Spring of 2022. It was on this journey that I encountered an unexpected abundance of these vibrant, quilt-like designs on the sides of weathered-down barns. Their common appearance immediately became curious to me, as I wondered about the importance of their presence historically, functionally, and regionally. I discovered that these barn quilts were utilized initially during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as a symbol of safety, supplies, and comfort for soldiers, and slaves as they navigated on their journey for freedom. More recently, however, barn quilts have evolved into striking medallions of family heritage, site markers of historically significant locations, and a symbol of artistic craft in women’s history. The Stitch of a Quilt on a Barn in Appalachia showcases a variety of quilt patterns that appeared on my journey throughout Appalachia, all within a hand crafted, wooden frame. While the geometric design and weathered barn exteriors often go wildly unnoticed in their original settings, I hope that the artwork within this exhibit brings light to their presence. The use of stained glass, along with presenting a traditionally outdoor form in a professional artistic setting, emphasizes the quilt-inspired design in an almost divine way. By redesigning a small part of Appalachia in a way it’s never usually seen, I hope to portray the beauty that I have grown to see within the specific artform, as well as the region as a whole.
My mother’s family lived on a ridge in Wirt County. Her mother never attended school; her father went to second grade. There were eleven children of which my mother was the oldest girl. My grandfather considered his children to be his possessions. There were four daughters; my mother was the only one who graduated from high school. With her mother’s support, she ran away from home at 19 and went to Parkersburg to work at the shovel factory during WWII. My mother loved Janie Lou, her youngest sister. Mom would buy Janie Lou new clothes and take her to have her picture taken. Janie Lou was two or three years old in the photograph the painting is based on. In the few other pictures I have of Janie Lou, she is barefoot, and her clothes are ragged. In later years, Janie Lou was placed in the Trans-Allegany Insane Asylum. Like her siblings, my mother suffered as a result of the abuse she experienced, but she endured and made a good life for herself and her children. I believe that self-actualization is a matter of degree depending on many factors. Growing up in Appalachia, I have wondered what fuels the drive towards survival and growth? Why are some people able to overcome adversities and others not? How do we learn to use our identities as strengths in moving towards health and happiness? Perhaps part of that is with sharing with those we love the things that have helped us in that struggle. My mother did this by attempting to give a message to her little sister; you are beautiful, and you matter. In the photograph, Janie Lou appears conflicted and a little afraid. I have attempted to convey that feeling in the painting.
I have been working on a project with which I paint portraits of my family. The pictures are from family photographs I that were passed down to me from my parents. I feel that this is a way to honor their struggles.
This diptych encapsulates a narrative centered around my mother, set against the backdrop of my childhood residence in rural Appalachia. The enduring impact of my mother's influence and the narratives perpetuated within my family have significantly contributed to shaping the trajectory of my life and defining my identity within an Appalachian context.
Silas Endicott, an artist residing in Wayne, West Virginia, is a versatile mixed-media artist with a background in graphic design and printmaking. They previously interned at On the Mark Creations, where they played a role in creating and printing diverse forms and screen-printed shirts for local businesses and schools. In addition to their graphic design work, Silas gained experience by assisting in community-based art workshops for older adults, such as Art and Aging. Silas specializes in three-dimensional art, with a focus on wood and metal, often incorporating additional elements like textiles and printmaking techniques. Their artistic creations reflect a profound influence from familial and Appalachian cultural elements, while also staying attuned to contemporary artistic trends through interactions with various artists. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture and a minor in marketing at Marshall University, Silas has showcased their artwork at notable venues at Marshall University including the Birke Art Gallery, the Student Gallery, the Carroll Gallery, and the Library Gallery. Their artistic contributions have earned them recognition, including a third-place award in the 37th Annual Student Juried Exhibition and a grant for participation in the group exhibition, Conceptions of Flight. For those interested in exploring Silas Endicott's artistic journey, both current and past works can be discovered on Instagram @silas_sculpts.
This diptych revolves around the pivotal figure of my grandmother, whose influence and presence have profoundly shaped my development. Her impact extends beyond mere familial ties, significantly molding my journey within Appalachia and contributing to the formation of my present identity.
Silas Endicott, an artist residing in Wayne, West Virginia, is a versatile mixed-media artist with a background in graphic design and printmaking. They previously interned at On the Mark Creations, where they played a role in creating and printing diverse forms and screen-printed shirts for local businesses and schools. In addition to their graphic design work, Silas gained experience by assisting in community-based art workshops for older adults, such as Art and Aging. Silas specializes in three-dimensional art, with a focus on wood and metal, often incorporating additional elements like textiles and printmaking techniques. Their artistic creations reflect a profound influence from familial and Appalachian cultural elements, while also staying attuned to contemporary artistic trends through interactions with various artists. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture and a minor in marketing at Marshall University, Silas has showcased their artwork at notable venues at Marshall University including the Birke Art Gallery, the Student Gallery, the Carroll Gallery, and the Library Gallery. Their artistic contributions have earned them recognition, including a third-place award in the 37th Annual Student Juried Exhibition and a grant for participation in the group exhibition, Conceptions of Flight. For those interested in exploring Silas Endicott's artistic journey, both current and past works can be discovered on Instagram @silas_sculpts.
Coal mining is a huge part of the Appalachian culture, both in the past and the present, especially in West Virginia. As children, we grow up to learn about the significance of coal mining throughout West Virginia's history and all the aspects, good and bad. The history of coal mining has shown multiple controversies from child labor to mine safety to, recently, environmental risks. In this painting, I wanted to highlight the usage of children in the mines without the current labor laws as well as the usage of canaries to detect carbon monoxide in the mines. When comparing the two, the way both were used in the mines, they were almost one and the same. As Appalachians, we are constantly ridiculed for our culture and our ways of living all throughout our history. Growing up, children were forced to join their fathers and family members in the mine to help provide for their families as the more work done, the more money they received. Even with coal mining limited to certain areas, I am still able to see the remnants of the old coal mining communities and how they are still acting as one. So, as much as we try to ignore it or change it, coal mining and coal miners are an integral part of our economy, our community, and our ways of living.
My name is Sadie Chidester and I am from Morgantown, WV, but currently live in Four States, WV. I graduated from Fairmont State University with a Bachelor's in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting and a minor in Museum Studies. In my work, I explore ideas ranging from local to international. Recently, I have been exploring the ideas of culture and community around me, especially coal mining. As someone who lives in an old coal mining town and grew up in West Virginia coal mining areas, I have been exposed to that community all my life, including now. With my works, I experiment with textures, different techniques, and sometimes different fabrics and how they work with each other.