ATHENS, Ohio -- Mark your calendars for this continuing series of special Gallery Talks at the Kennedy Museum of Art, centered on the exhibition project "Appalachians: A Contemporary Cultural Perspective." Celebrating the rich diversity of present-day Appalachia, this exciting multi-disciplinary project features an exhibition, literary and film symposia, children's programs, studio tours and much, much more! It is a true community and regional effort with components taking place at numerous venues across the region.

A featured highlight is the "Thursday Evenings at the Kennedy" series, which offers an opportunity to meet a wide variety of the artists involved in the projects, as well as others, up-close and personal. Visual artists are paired with musicians, storytellers, writers and filmmakers to make these truly special events. Three more evenings are scheduled through December: Nov. 6, Pauletta Hansel, poet and Sarah Guthrie, musician; Nov. 20, Jana Pryor, artist and Diane Gillium Fisher, poet; and Dec. 4, Kimberly Lawless, artist and Michelle Sampson, dance. All talks take place at the Kennedy Museum of Art and begin at 6:30 p.m.

The exhibition is the centerpiece of the project and includes approximately 150 paintings, photographs, works on paper, mixed-media, sculpture and video, executed by Appalachian artists residing in the tri-state regions of southeastern Ohio, southwestern West Virginia and northeastern Kentucky. Visit the Appalachians website for a complete schedule of events: www.ohio.edu/museum/appalachians.

"Appalachians: A Contemporary Cultural Perspective" is curated and programming coordinated by Lee A. Gray, Kennedy Museum of Art. Funding is provided in part by the State of Ohio, Department of Development, Governor's Office of Appalachia; the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that supports public programs in the arts; the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and the Friends of the Kennedy Museum. Organized by the Kennedy Museum of Art; community host partners include Stuart's Opera House, Hocking College Student Center, Foothills School of American Crafts, Hocking College Arts and Sciences and Riverwind Magazine and Movies 10: Joe and Betty Edwards.

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Media Contact: Karen Wyman, (740) 593-1304 or wymank@ohio.edu  

Editors: Images available at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/AUNT_MYRTLE_ROXY.JPG