Virtual Fieldtrip Assignment
Tentative Due Date: April 16
Value: Thinking about how various artists are making a living and making a life in the region through their creativity and critically evaluating the region's arts and artists within the context of its history. And 25% of your total grade for undergraduates, 15% for graduates.

TYPE your responses to the following virtual trip, double spaced.

First stop, Berea:

Visit the city of Berea's homepage . Explore the history presented on that page, including the Berea College history. You may also want to review your class powerpoints on the history of Images of Appalachia and the Settlement Schools (on Blackboard) and the video, "Student Crafts: We Are All Connected" (see below). How did Berea come to be a regional arts center?

Now, visit the Berea Artisan Center. Who shows there? What advantages does this center offer to artists of the region?

Next, visit the Berea College Crafts. Describe the various items produced in the woodworking, ceramics, ironworks weaving, and broomcraft programs. Which of these items is "traditional"? Which items have been adapted to new markets? How do these items fit into our previous discussions regarding handcrafted vs. mass-produced, use of the machine, made-for-outside markets vs. made-for-people-in-the region? Who works in College Crafts? How does this program differ from the Berea College art department? Watch the video,
"Student Crafts: We Are All Connected."  What specific benefits do students Myra Morrison, Jennifer Salyer, Terence Witherspoon, Josehp Cross, and Clare Graycite to working in College Crafts?

Finally, visit three galleries/artists in Berea (choose from the following). Would you classify these artists as "Appalachian"? Why or why not? Do you think any standard images of the region are used to promote the art of these artists?

Mitchell Tolle Gallery
Warren May
Tater Knob Pottery
Ken and Sally Gastineau
Haley-Daniels
Elsie Harris
Powdermill Pottery
Neil Colmer

Next, Whitesburg

First, read about the history of Appalshop in the article provided on Blackboard and on their website. How and when did this program begin? Who runs Appalshop? How is it funded? What sorts of films has it produced that relate to the arts of the region? Look at the various projects Appalshop oversees. What is the Appalachian Media Institute? What would be the benefits of this program to the region? Watch two of the clips produced by interns in this program (http://appalshop.org/ami/films.htm and/or http://appalshop.org/ami/issues.htm#drug). What did you think about what you saw?

Next, review John Haywood's work. (Check out his brand new website). Pick two of his pieces featured on-line and tell me if you feel they perpetuate or dispel stereotypes.

Finally, Asheville

Visit the River Arts District and the Downtown Art Galleries. Select five artists to look at in greater depth (you have to click on the buildings and this will take you to individual artist's sites in the River Arts District site, and select individual galleries in the Downtonw Art Galleries site). What do they have to say about their work? What made you choose them? Would you consider their work "Appalachian"? Why or why not? Is there a strong connection between their work and the region? Explain. Does the "art scene" in Asheville differ from that of Berea? If so, in what ways? How does each artist community seem to relate to the region? Is there anything in the way that this artist district promotes itself that is region-specific?