Culture

"Urban Nature," Kelly Lawrence
“Urban Nature,” Kelly Lawrence (photo: Women of Appalachia)

“Women of Appalachia” Exhibit to Hit the Road


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Once again women of diverse backgrounds, ages and experiences have come together to participate in the 6th Annual Women of Appalachia (WOA) events, beginning with a reception on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Parkersburg Art Center.

The fine art exhibition, which includes spoken word performances, will travel to four different venues throughout Ohio and West Virginia over a six-month period.

“The Women of Appalachia project is a win-win for the Parkersburg Art Center. Not only are we excited to be displaying the works of many fine regional women artists, but it gives us an opportunity to work with a great friend of the Art Center’s: the prize-winning photographer Kari Gunter-Seymour. It’s a very compelling package,” said Abby Hayhurst, executive director of the Parkersburg Art Center.

“I am so pleased that the Parkersburg Art Center so graciously offered to host this season’s fine art opening event, allowing the work to be seen by folks in the Parkersburg area and surrounding communities,” added founder/curator Kari Gunter-Seymour. “Up until last year, Women of Appalachia events had been hosted only in Athens. Last year Park View Gallery Artisans welcomed WOA to Chillicothe. The additional venues extend the opportunity to share the WOA mission to empower and strengthen Appalachia’s visual, literary and performing women artists.”

In January, the exhibit will travel to the Multicultural Art Gallery, Ohio University’s Baker University Center and will finish up its journey at the Park View Gallery in Chillicothe in May/June 2015.

The sister event, “Women Speak,” offering stories, songs and poetry, will be hosted by ARTS/West in Athens in April and PVG Artisans Gallery in May.

“We hope you will join us on Saturday for the opening reception of this unique exhibition,” said Hayhurst. “Many of the artists will be in attendance, so that will mean lots of interesting people to meet, plus great snacks by Joyce & Co.”

For information, visit www.womenofappalachia.com or www.parkersburgartcenter.org.