American artist George Ault (1891-1948) is known for his paintings of nighttime rural settings, deceptively quaint yet mysterious depictions of barns, and desolate town corners shaped by light and shadow. The cover of Chris Offutt’s latest novel, The Killing Hills, has an Aultian character to it that aptly captures the essence of this thriller, a story of violence and blood feuds but also quiet moments of foreboding deep in the eastern Kentucky hills. Read the Full Story >>
Arts & Entertainment
Over The Mountain Studio Tour Takes A New Path
The conversation that would lead to the creation of Over The Mountain Studio Tour started at a kitchen table, recalls Anne Bowers, an original member. “We were a few artists looking for a way to represent ourselves beyond just going to shows. Read the Full Story >>
Speak Story Series presents Chirine El Ansary — June 8
Chirine El Ansary grew up between Egypt and France. Chirine brings a physical approach to storytelling and a deep interest in how words and movements can merge to create atmospheres, generate emotions, and convey precise images. Read the Full Story >>
Book Review: So Much to be Angry About
The upsurge of social justice movements and radicalism that characterized the Sixties had an equally dynamic correlation in the so-called “movement press”, the many independent print shops across the United States that published pamphlets and other political materials aimed at everyone from college students to blue-collar workers. In delving into this forgotten chapter of Appalachian activism, Pittsburgh artist and writer Shaun Slifer, creative director at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in Matewan, has undertaken a painstaking work of historical reconstruction. Read the Full Story >>
Blue Ridge Arts & Crafts Festival — May 1
The Festival is back for 2021 with 60+ local artisans with 100% handcrafted gifts, live music, and food trucks. Saturday, May 1 from 11 am to 5 pm at Sam Michael’s Park. Read the Full Story >>
Online Watercolor Pencil Classes
The Berkeley Arts Council is offering a 4-session, online class appropriate for students who have no watercolor painting experience as well as those who currently paint with watercolors but who want to improve their techniques. Read the Full Story >>
Appalachian Chamber Music Festival – May 2
Enjoy an online interactive preview concert of the upcoming ACMF summer festival, broadcast live on YouTube on May 2 starting at 2 pm. Read the Full Story >>
Art & Earth Exhibit — April 22 to May 29
Berkeley Arts Council is presenting an eclectic gathering of works for its 11th annual Art & Earth Exhibit. Each piece contains an energy, vibrancy and relevance of the “now” that collectively represent a fullness of “Life” in its various states. Read the Full Story >>
Speak Story Series Presents Johnny Moses — May 11
Johnny Moses (Whis.stem.men.knee) is a Tulalip Native American raised in the Nuu-Chan-nulth village of Ohiat on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Moses was raised in the traditional ways by his grandparents and sent by his elders to share their teachings with all people. Read the Full Story >>
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival — April 23 to May 2
The Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia is “Back in Bloom” for 2021 with 30 events, including races, band competitions, dances, parades, carnival, a circus, fire-fighting demonstrations and the annual coronation of Queen Shenandoah. Read the Full Story >>
Particularly Interesting Art
Local artist John Walsh reflects on the universe, time, and the human experience within both. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherdstown University Art Students Exhibit
Shepherdstown University art students exhibit in downtown gallery. Read the Full Story >>
Speak Stories Hosts Len Cabral – April 13
Storyteller Len Cabral is the guest of the Speak Story Series on April 13 at 7:30 pm (online). Len, a great grandson of a whaler from Cape Verde who traveled the world and then emigrated to America in the early 1900’s, has been engaging listeners of all ages with stories, songs, poetry and movement for Read the Full Story >>
Book Review: Remaking Appalachia
Stump’s ambitious and challenging work reimagines the commons – the cultural and natural assets accessible to all members of society – in innovative ways but also imbibes from previous intellectual frameworks and Appalachia’s own robust activist tradition. Read the Full Story >>
Berkeley Arts Council Offers Classes In Watercolor Pencil
The Berkeley Arts Council is offering multiple online classes in watercolor pencil this spring for both beginners and individuals with some experience. Read the Full Story >>