Watershed Arts Alliance

"'Genuine engagement with art, artists, and artistic expression requires a willingness, if not a commitment, to lean in, expose a nerve, and invite art to move and ultimately change you.'

On the blog: Lawrence Carter-Long, disability activist/actor/co-director of DisArt, answers the Artful Life Questionnaire!

bit.ly/3zUFE69" - National Endowment for the Arts

“Genuine engagement with art, artists, and artistic expression requires a willingness, if not a commitment, to lean in, expose a nerve, and invite art to move and ultimately change you.”

On the blog: Lawrence Carter-Long, disability activist/actor/co-director of DisArt, answers the Artful Life Questionnaire!

bit.ly/3zUFE69

"We can’t wait for Welcoming Week 2024, and we invite you to join us!

The 2024 Welcoming Week art exhibition, titled ‘We’re All In For People Ready Futures,’ will celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and foster connections between immigrants and non-immigrants in communities nationwide. Appalachian artists can participate by submitting artwork that displays a vision for the future for our region—a future where our communities are genuinely welcoming and inclusive, where our land thrives ecologically, where everyone's needs are met, and where we are collectively prepared for what lies ahead.

To submit your artwork, fill out this form by August 30th! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjMm9fuTPg2YAa3QrC7mN_PabD5ntYTHcPsc-AUDVmB6f1ew/viewform

Anyone is welcome to join us for one or both of the events in this two-part Art Gallery series!
1. September 16th-30th — Appalachian Arts Alliance, 612 Main St Hazard, KY
2. November 11th-17th — Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut St, Berea, KY" - Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

We can’t wait for Welcoming Week 2024, and we invite you to join us!

The 2024 Welcoming Week art exhibition, titled "We’re All In For People Ready Futures," will celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and foster connections between immigrants and non-immigrants in communities nationwide. Appalachian artists can participate by submitting artwork that displays a vision for the future for our region—a future where our communities are genuinely welcoming and inclusive, where our land thrives ecologically, where everyone's needs are met, and where we are collectively prepared for what lies ahead.

To submit your artwork, fill out this form by August 30th! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjMm9fuTPg2YAa3QrC7mN_PabD5ntYTHcPsc-AUDVmB6f1ew/viewform

Anyone is welcome to join us for one or both of the events in this two-part Art Gallery series!
1. September 16th-30th — Appalachian Arts Alliance, 612 Main St Hazard, KY
2. November 11th-17th — Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut St, Berea, KY

"MMF 31 Day One in the books! Headed back out to festival field in a bit. The Friday shows were insaneeee! I wish I could share more but we have Day Two to prep for. 🖤 " - Misty Phillips Photography

"Here's another view of the clouds and the valley from atop Buzzard Rock!

Tomorrow's my birthday, so kinda just wanted a light post for today (still not studying up on the moth scales!) Going to get out this weekend on the trail and spend some time with my family. Might be heading up to Lake Cumberland for the big cleanup tomorrow, do the Moonbow tomorrow night if the clouds agree, and hike out somewhere on Sunday!

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend! ENJOY THE WEATHER (or try 😅)" - Skench Outdoors

Here's another view of the clouds and the valley from atop Buzzard Rock!

Tomorrow's my birthday, so kinda just wanted a light post for today (still not studying up on the moth scales!) Going to get out this weekend on the trail and spend some time with my family. Might be heading up to Lake Cumberland for the big cleanup tomorrow, do the Moonbow tomorrow night if the clouds agree, and hike out somewhere on Sunday!

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend! ENJOY THE WEATHER (or try 😅)

"Timeline cleanse.

How does one stay informed yet also sane? Moderation. Mostly turning it all off often and going to the natural world, animals, good food, our people, making art." - Silas House

With less than a month from Sunday, August 11th, we invite all Lake Cumberland artists in 2D media to submit work.

What does transformation look like? Taste, smell, and feel like?

To learn more about our current Downtown Art in the Open (DAitO) artist call and to submit your work, click here: https://bit.ly/DAitO_Transformation

Artist Call! Downtown Art in the Open (DAitO) is now open again for submissions until Sunday, August 11, 2024. Our theme is transformation.

Submit here: https://bit.ly/DAitO_Transformation

All copyright ownership remains with the artist, meaning you as the artist can freely promote, sell, and license your work. An option will be granted to selected artists to opt in or out with Watershed Arts Alliance (WAA) aiding in the selling of prints for you.

Downtown Art in the Open is a community art project that was launched by Watershed Arts Alliance in April 2020 with the support of the City of Somerset, KY. The goal is to showcase the visual artwork of local artists of all ages and identities, increase access to the arts, encourage expression through art, and celebrate the diversity within our community.


[Image Description: Background yellow with graphics of a megaphone, butterfly, and flower in gray. A blue hand is pointing to the words that read, “Downtown Art in the Open. Artist Call. Theme: Transformation. Submit your work now!"]

"Friends attending Master Musicians Festival Classical Night at The Virginia this Thursday!

A few things to know:
5:00pm - Doors Open
6:00pm - Recital of Art Songs and Arias featuring yours truly, Debby McDonald, and Bill McNeil
7:00pm - Somerset Big Band

Seats are general admission.

We’re so excited to share this repertoire with you! See you soon!" - Amanda Balltrip Voice Studio

Friends attending Master Musicians Festival Classical Night at The Virginia this Thursday!

A few things to know:

5:00pm - Doors Open
6:00pm - Recital of Art Songs and Arias featuring yours truly, Debby McDonald, and Bill McNeil
7:00pm - Somerset Big Band

Seats are general admission.

We’re so excited to share this repertoire with you! See you soon!

"Kayla Rider Photography, LLC is looking for a part time assistant! 🥳 Must be available during the week and occasionally on the weekends.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

- Help carry and set up equipment
- Assist with lighting during sessions
- Assist with sports team media days
- Assist with posing

Not required, but certainly earns brownie points:
- Open to learning how to edit during peak seasons
- Being familiar with making behind the scenes TikTok’s and helping with social media content

*Pay varies based on the job*

If interested or know someone who might be, please send me a private message! 📸" - Kayla Rider Photography, LLC

"This Prime Day and every day, consider supporting your local indie bookshop 💗 Not only does your support help a small business, but radiates out into the wider community.

If you can't support your local bookshop in person, you can support them through Libro.fm audiobooks. ⁠Plus, if you start a new monthly membership in support of your local indie this Prime Day using code PRIMETIME, you'll get 3️⃣ audiobooks to use from the start.

Head to the link to learn more, and don't forget to join in on our Audiobook Champion reading challenge, which kicks off today! See yesterday's post for more info 🏆

https://libro.fm/switch

*Shopping local depends on a lot of factors, including money, time, location, and accessibility, and it isn't always possible. But when we can, we can help make a powerful difference.
__
[ID: Two slides that read: 'When you support indie bookshops, you help create safe spaces: Whether fostering curiosity and exploration or hosting author events, indies can be a community space for all; Encourage learning: Whether there’s a specific topic you’re interested in, or just want to learn anything new, bookshops (and staff picks) are a great place to start; Boost local economies: They provide local jobs, pay taxes, and generate 70% more local economic activity per square foot than big box retail; Diversify reading: The passion and creativity of booksellers make each bookshop unique, helping readers discover both under-the-radar and bestselling books. This Prime Day, support your indie bookshop. Get two free audiobooks when you start a new Libro.fm membership with code: PRIMETIME.']" - Libro.fm

"Check out our key dates for the upcoming fall production and stay tuned for the announcement of the play 🎭" - Lake Cumberland Children's Theatre

Check out our key dates for the upcoming fall production and stay tuned for the announcement of the play 🎭

"Nominations for the 2025-2026 Kentucky Poet Laureate are now open. Nominations may come from individuals or organizations within or outside of Kentucky. Nominees must be published, have critical acclaim for work informed by living in Kentucky, and be able to promote the literary arts across the commonwealth in-person and virtually. The nomination deadline is Sept. 30, 2024. https://bit.ly/KYpoets" - Kentucky Arts Council

Nominations for the 2025-2026 Kentucky Poet Laureate are now open. Nominations may come from individuals or organizations within or outside of Kentucky. Nominees must be published, have critical acclaim for work informed by living in Kentucky, and be able to promote the literary arts across the commonwealth in-person and virtually. The nomination deadline is Sept. 30, 2024. https://bit.ly/KYpoets

Thank you all for making this past weekend possible!

Our Artist Mixer BBQ would not have been possible nor complete without the support, connection, and collaboration of:
💛 Our entire board and executive director
💛 Watershed Arts Alliance 2024 Artist of the Year, Renate Dopp and the accompaniment of Rick Winstead and Bradley Shane Gilmore
💛 Each and every Lake Cumberland artist, art lover, friend, and acquaintance
💛 Flashback Theater Co.
💛 Darlene Newell of Diamondz and Divaz on Wheelz
💛 Coca-Cola of Somerset
💛 Pepsi Cola of Somerset
💛 Kingsford


[Image Description: Ten pictures ranging from Renate Dopp performing alongside Rick Winstead and Bradley Shane Gilmore to fellow local artists, community, and art.]

Important announcements by Kayla Rider Photography, LLC. 📸

"Have you purchased your tickets yet?
👵🏼Four Old Broads is coming next month and you don’t want to miss it!
🎟️Click the link, and get your tickets NOW!" - The Star Theater

The Historic Star Theater 2024 - 30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

"I also wanted to call attention to the conditions under which rural African American Appalachians worked. When we think of Appalachia, we think West Virginia, we think of hillbillies – but we don’t think of the African American Appalachian experience, which is now very loud and proud. Telling that story was a motivation of mine as well."

VCU professor Christopher A. Brooks’ new book explores the Black Appalachian experience In ‘Tales of Koehler Hollow,’ the anthropologist and biographer uses a family’s long history in Southwest Virginia to connect slavery, identity and legacy.

"When asked about receiving the Artist of the Year recognition, Dopp called it 'surreal.'

'I never thought that I would do anything like this with my life,' she explained. 'I sang when I was in high school, I sang when I was in college, and it was just a hobby. Then when my husband got me singing again, I started taking voice lessons with Maria McNeil (Realign Voice Studio) and JoAnna Moses, and I got moved into the McNeil Music Studio, and then eventually Sommer grabbed me and I got involved in Flashback. So it’s very weird that people want to hear me sing and that I’ve been recognized partially for my singing but also for my backstage work. We’re behind the scenes. You’re not suppose to know we’re there. If you notice us, then it’s a problem. So it’s pretty amazing, and I was completely flabbergasted and amazed when I found out (about the award).'"

Renate Dopp named 'Artist of the Year' at Watershed BBQ Having two different types of jobs in the theater world – one on stage, one behind the scenes – makes life busy sometimes, but Renate Dopp seems to accept the

"Welp. It’s that time again.

Here’s a post back in the first year of Read Appalachia.

——

If you’re looking for more Appalachian Lit, I curated a list of 15 books you should read instead of HILLBILLY ELEGY. This is just a mere tip of the iceberg, but it’s a great start. ✨

You can see all of the books on the list over on Book Riot!

https://bookriot.com/books-about-appalachia/

[Image Description: A screenshot of the header for an article called ‘15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy’]" - Read Appalachia

Welp. It’s that time again.

Here’s a post back in the first year of Read Appalachia.

——

If you’re looking for more Appalachian Lit, I curated a list of 15 books you should read instead of HILLBILLY ELEGY. This is just a mere tip of the iceberg, but it’s a great start. ✨

You can see all of the books on the list over on Book Riot!

https://bookriot.com/books-about-appalachia/

[Image Description: A screenshot of the header for an article called “15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy”]

"Oh the sun shines bright ☀️" - Erika Makes Things

"✨APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN✨

Applications are now open for Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants, Jazz Road Tours, and Accessibility Grants through September 3!

Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants: Artists in AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN can apply for up to $2,000 to take advantage of a milestone opportunity in their careers. Eligible projects must occur between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.

Jazz Road Tours: Jazz artists nationwide, take your music on the road with grants up to $15,000! This cycle supports tours from January 1 to July 1, 2025. Don't miss the informational webinar on June 29, 2024, at 6pm ET. Register now!

Accessibility Grants: Organizations in our nine-state region can apply for up to $2,500 to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities. Projects must take place between October 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

Visit southarts.org or the link in our bio for details about these and other opportunities!" - South Arts

✨APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN✨

Applications are now open for Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants, Jazz Road Tours, and Accessibility Grants through September 3!

Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants: Artists in AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN can apply for up to $2,000 to take advantage of a milestone opportunity in their careers. Eligible projects must occur between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.

Jazz Road Tours: Jazz artists nationwide, take your music on the road with grants up to $15,000! This cycle supports tours from January 1 to July 1, 2025. Don't miss the informational webinar on July 29, 2024, at 6pm ET. Register now!

Accessibility Grants: Organizations in our nine-state region can apply for up to $2,500 to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities. Projects must take place between October 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

Visit southarts.org or the link in our bio for details about these and other opportunities!

We proudly present your Watershed Arts Alliance (WAA) 2024 Artist of the Year. Congratulations, Renate Dopp! 💛🔥💛

“She’s the glue in the production that keeps us on track and focused.”


[Image Description: A collection of pictures and quotes by Lake Cumberland community members highlighting Renate Dopp.]

Join us! We’re here with local artist Jeff Scribner. 🎨💛

🗓️ July 13th
🕒 3 - 6 pm (ET)
📍 Somersport Park
300 Pumphouse Road
Somerset, Kentucky 42502


[Image Description: First includes Jeff Scribner’s setup and work. Second reads, “Come together as a community and enjoy delicious food. Free event. All are welcome. Sat. July 13, 3 - 6 pm (ET) at Somersport Park in Somerset. Bring your favorite BBQ side dish!”]

TODAY. Join us and Cindi Nave! 🌸

🗓️ July 13th
🕒 3 - 6 pm (ET)
📍 Somersport Park
300 Pumphouse Road
Somerset, Kentucky 42502


[Image Description: First includes a painting by Cindi Nave. Second reads, “Come together as a community and enjoy delicious food. Free event. All are welcome. Sat. July 13, 3 - 6 pm (ET) at Somersport Park in Somerset. Bring your favorite BBQ side dish!”]

Important reminders and education from our community’s Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. Stay safe. ☀️

Artist Mixer BBQ

It’s summer! And that means fun in the sun for many of us. Practice these tips for a safe and healthy summer!

"What are your favorite songs to sing right now?" - Realign Voice Studio

Available for pre-order.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/1013/9780316417525

Affrilachian Poets

I, along with several of the Affrilachian Poets appear in this amazing anthology of contemporary black poets. It’s available for preorder now, published by Little Brown and Company (Hachette Book Group). Here’s the description:

“In this comprehensive and vibrant poetry anthology, bestselling author and poet Kwame Alexander curates a collection of contemporary anthems at turns tender and piercing and deeply inspiring throughout. Featuring work from well-loved poets such as Rita Dove, Jericho Brown, Warsan Shire, Ross Gay, Tracy K. Smith, Terrance Hayes, Morgan Parker, and Nikki Giovanni, This Is the Honey is a rich and abundant offering of language from the poets giving voice to generations of resilient joy, “each incantation,” as Mahogany L. Browne puts it in her titular poem, is “a jubilee of a people dreaming wildly.”

This essential collection, in the tradition of Dudley Randall’s The Black Poets and E. Ethelbert Miller’s In Search of Color Everywhere, contains poems exploring joy, love, origin, race, resistance, and praise. Jacqueline A.Trimble likens “Black woman joy” to indigo, tassels, foxes, and peacock plumes. Tyree Daye, Nate Marshall, and Elizabeth Acevedo reflect on the meaning of “home” through food, from Cuban rice and beans to fried chicken gizzards. Clint Smith and Cameron Awkward-Rich enfold us in their intimate musings on love and devotion. From a “jewel in the hand” (Patricia Spears Jones) to “butter melting in small pools” (Elizabeth Alexander), This Is the Honey drips with poignant and delightful imagery, music, and raised fists.

Fresh, memorable, and deeply moving, this definitive collection a must-have for any lover of language and a gift for our time.”

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/1013/9780316417525

(my suggestion is buy from Bookshop. They give a percentage of every purchase to support local independent bookstores)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Honey-Anthology-Contemporary-Black/dp/0316417521/

"The ending of the year is ramping up, and we’re STOKED! December 29th we’re hometown at Jarfly Brewing Company with Ciggy Tuna, and December 30th we’re in Toledo, Ohio at Prime Nightlife with The Movement! Check out the event links below for more information!" - Shades of Raven

TODAY at 3:00 PM EST.
Children's Library at the Pulaski County Public Library

12/19/23

Card making in the depot! ❄🎄✨

"The OHES BETA club went caroling at the Alzheimer’s center." - Oak Hill Elementary School

The OHES BETA club went caroling at the Alzheimer’s center.