-
Prison education program artwork on display at Mountain Arts Center
PRESTONSBURG — Artwork created behind prison walls is now on public display at the Mountain Arts Center (MAC). Twenty-five pieces by incarcerated artists and students in the Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) Prison Education Program are being exhibited throughout January. The exhibition features a variety of styles and media and includes work by
-
Advanced art students ‘Paint the Plow’
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — A splash of color and creativity now brightens Kentucky’s winter roadways, thanks to Martin County High School’s advanced art class. Under the direction of art teacher Elizabeth Traylor, the students transformed a 12-foot-by-4-foot snowplow blade into a striking mural for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Paint the Plow” program. This initiative
-
Mural unveiled in Inez honors fight for clean water
Beneath a vivid mural of a woman strumming a banjo as water flows from her figure through green mountains and starry skies, community members gathered Saturday in downtown Inez to celebrate the new public artwork honoring Martin County’s fight for clean, reliable drinking water. Appalachian Pioneer Program founder Austin Shuck commissioned the mural and led
-
Appalachian Artist Festival gallery
Artists, makers and musicians gathered Aug. 2 in Inez to share their talents. Our photo gallery captures a sampling of the day. Slide show
-
Barefoot Festival returns Oct. 4 with music, culture, focus on land restoration
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — The Barefoot Festival will return to the mountaintops of Lovely on Oct. 4, transforming a reclaimed strip mine into a stage for Appalachian music, artisan craft and community connection. Now in its second year, the free one-day festival will continue its mission of showcasing regional talent and celebrating
-
Tourism greenlights festival plans, logistics ahead of big weekend
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Tourism Board got an update on the Appalachian Artist Festival in a meeting last week. They also approved financials and addressed logistical concerns, including trash pickup and rental policies for upcoming events and venue rentals. With the Appalachian Artist Festival just days away from transforming
-
Appalachian Artist Fest returns Aug. 2 with music, art and a strong mural message
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Appalachian Artist Festival will bring music, culture, and community spirit to downtown Inez on Saturday, Aug. 2, with a full day of events along Court Street. The day kicks off at 10 a.m. as vendors begin setting up booths. The official opening ceremony follows at 11 a.m.,
-
From macrame to moonshine: AAF vendor market to bring art and culture to Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Downtown Inez will come alive Aug. 2 as the Appalachian Artist Festival transforms Court Street into a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture. From handcrafted paints and pixel art to haunting tales, earthy aromas, craft brews and mouthwatering eats, the AFF vendor market promises a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
-
Coal miner, songwriter, storyteller: Cody McCoy to take stage at Appalachian Artist Fest
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County native Cody McCoy will bring his raw and reverent songwriting to the Appalachian Artist Festival in downtown Inez on Aug. 2. With a voice shaped by coal dust, church hymns and Appalachian storytelling, the Beauty resident has carved out a place as one of the region’s
-
Mural to rise in Inez: Turning water crisis into cultural call to action
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The side of a building in downtown Inez will bloom with color and meaning during this year’s Appalachian Artist Festival. A mural—the city’s first—will elevate clean water from a public utility issue to a moral and cultural imperative. The image is striking: A woman draped in flowing white
