Storytelling, music, poetry, art

BY LIZ STAYTON
FOR THE CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County residents can share the beauty of their home through their voices and eyes Monday at Open Mic Night at the Martin County Public Library Collier Center. People of all ages can share storytelling, music, poetry and any art form.

The event, hosted by Stories of Place, will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Stories of Place is a community-based project to bring storytelling and special memories of home into the daily lives of Martin County residents. The cross-generational involvement began in Martin County in 2018 between Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), Martin County School District (especially Martin County High School), the University of Kentucky and community members.

“We need a lot more positive stories about not only ourselves but about our home and where we’re from, our pride in our roots,” LiKEN community engagement coordinator Madison Mooney said. “Open Mic Night will focus on both historical and present-day understandings of the community.”

During the 2021-2022 school year, representatives of UK and LiKEN worked with Martin County High School teacher Taylor True’s 10th grade English class. Students were given a chance to talk about where they are from, their traditions and history, and how they feel connected to the place they call home.

These students have been actively involved in planning Open Mic Night, contributing their ideas and performances, and lending a huge hand in creating the event.

Mooney says the goal is to let the community take the reins of Stories of Place.

“We’re just here to support and guide them through the process,” said Mooney. “We want this to be the community’s project.”

For more information or to pre-register, contact Mooney by email at mmooney@likenknowledge.org.