Cody Thomas

ART 6933
2 September 2022

Appalachian Artisan Center

Appalachian history plays a huge part in American history and culture. Still today, people
in these mountain regions engage with their community and have a “everyone is welcome”
attitude. The art of Appalachia is what I find fascinated the most. The art, the music, the
storytelling, all traits handed down from one generation to another which is still going strong in
2022. After living in the Appalachia Mountains for seven years, I have grown accustomed to the
history, culture, and the way of life there. It’s also a part of me – my mother’s side of the family
are all from a mountain region north of Atlanta in Forsyth County. With the interests as
previously stated and the connection to Appalachia, this is why I chose Appalachian Artisan
Center.
The Appalachian Artisan Center (AAC) is in a mountain town of Hindman, Kentucky. This
small community appears to be very active within the arts. First established in 1999, the AAC
opened its doors to the public. At that time, it was known as the Kentucky Appalachian Artisans’
Education Foundation (KAAEF). This was a community collaboration project with surrounding
counties and government from Knott County; Hindman Cultural District; Hazard Community and
Technical College; Hindman Settlement School; City of Hindman; Knott County government and
LKLP Community Action Council. With the vastly growing art community at AAC, they purchased the
hardware store next door, renovated it, and now is the spot for additional studios, rooftop garden,
exhibition rooms, and store gallery.
AAC offers plenty community program. From various two-dimensional works like
photography and painting to a several options for three-dimension work like: ceramics, weaving,
tapestry, blacksmith, and a school just for building guitars and similar instruments. This non-profit
organization relies on state funded grants, donations, and with the income made from the classes
they offer building instruments. They also sell these guitars and all work in their community store.
Programs are for any age. AAC is inclusive and even does community outreach programs through
music. They tackle the opioid crisis by bringing in individuals in recovery to engage in music
programs. They also have mental health groups that use art as therapy.
To run a program with this magnitude, the faculty and board members are in great
numbers. The board of directors currently sit at twenty-one people as faculty/instructors/staff
make up over twenty. A handful of the board members serve as instructors as well. The Chair on
the Board of the community Doug Jones and Hindman native, Randy Campbell currently sits as the
Executive Director. Madison Renee Anderson is a multidisciplinary artist from Kentucky who is the
Artistic Director & Culture of Recovery Coordinator.
While finding out more about this organization through the internet and social media, I
discovered how Hindman is one hundred percent all about the arts and community. They are here
to serve a purpose and do so gracefully. They remind me another Appalachian school called John C.
Campbell from Brasstown, North Carolina. They are a school that focuses on their Appalachia and
folk art roots from their ancestors.