Field Trip Assignment
Tentative Due Date: April 16 in class
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% of your grade for graduates.

TYPE your responses to our fieldtrip, double spaced. (You will want to take initial notes in a small journal, etc. that can be referenced for your paper).

First stop, Berea:

Visit the city of Berea's homepage. Explore the history presented on that page, including the Berea College history (http://www.berea.edu/about/history.asp). You may also want to review your class powerpoints on the history of Images of Appalachia and the Settlement Schools (on library electronic reserve).How did Berea come to be a regional arts center?

Now, based on our visit to the Berea Artisan Center (http://www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov/index.aspx), 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? What was your reaction to what Tim Glotzbach had to present?

Finally, visit any two galleries/artists in Berea. Would you classify these artists as "Appalachian"? Why or why not? Is the region used to promote the art of these artists? Was there anything/anyone that particularly inspired you? Explain.

Next, Whitesburg

First, read about the history of Appalshop in the article provided on Blackboard and on their website (http://appalshop.org/about/history.html). 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? What are your reactions to what you saw and heard about AMI and Appalshop in general?

How important is it to an arts community to have businesses such as Summit City, Cozy Corner, and Here Comes the Bun, whose income is indirectly tied to the arts? Is this viable in every community? Why or why not?

Next, re-visit John Haywood's work (http://www.haywoodart.com/). Check out his new website. Based on both his presentation and his work, do you feel his work dispels or perpetuates stereotypes of the region?

Finally, Asheville

First, the Folk Art Center. Which of the historic exhibits impressed you most and why? Which of the art forms did you recognize from our class discussions? Was there anything that surprised you?

Visit the River Arts District (http://www.riverartsdistrict.com/) and Downtown artists studios (http://www.exploreasheville.com/find-nearby/index.aspx?id=201&type=activity&source=activity). Select four artists to look at in greater depth. 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? From Whitesburg? If so, in what ways? How does each artist community seem to relate to the region? Is there anything about the way that these artist districts promote themselves that is region-specific?