Poster for the 'Wild and Free' music festival held from June 15-17, 2023, in Pikeville, Kentucky. Features festival theme, date, location, artwork of mushrooms, a butterfly, and a circular emblem with girl and guitar graphics. Lists performers including Rebecca Lynn Howard, Bee Taylor, Chelsea Nolan, Luna & The Mountain Jets, Bek & The Starlight Revue, Coaltown Dixie, The Price Sisters, Building Rockets, Sarah Kate Morgan & Mecan Gregory, Zoe Howard & Yellowline, Emily Jamerson, Kelly Caldwell, Tia Woods, Mady Goin, Brittany Avery Mullins, and Them Lasses, with a note about the event being 'Wild and Free.'

Year 3

2023 Event Memories & Accomplishments

  • Named one of Kentucky’s Best Intimate Music Festivals by the Lexington Herald Leader

  • Received Kentucky Foundation for Women 2023 Arts Meets Activism Grant

  • 28 Live Musical Acts

  • 26 Workshops and Activities

  • 17 Free Information Booths

  • 25 Appalachian Artisan Vendors, Crafters and Makers

  • 50 Art Gallery Participants including 20 Junior Artist participants, 30 Art Awards given

  • Mountain Grrl Artist Rhonda Gilliam’s artwork featured on The Mountain Association’s 2023 Christmas Card

  • Art Gallery showcase at Mountain Arts Center

  • Unveiling of the Mountain Grrl Bear to be displayed in downtown Pikeville, KY —artwork by Jessica Salyer

  • Statewide media coverage including features on KET’s “Kentucky Edition,” WEKU’s ‘Kentucky Arts and Culture”

  • First “Mountain Man Experience” Kick-off event at The Pit House

  • Free event for all!

A young child sitting on a patterned quilt outdoors, surrounded by musical instruments including a drum, tambourine, and a wooden percussion instrument, with a stroller and a picnic basket nearby.

Many thanks to our photographer friends Dusty Layne, Jeremy Justice and Larry Epling for these photos!

We got a Pikeville Bear!!!!

Artwork by Jessica Salyer

See our Mountain Grrl Experience Bear at her

permanent location inside the lobby of the

Appalachian Center for the Arts!

Colorful bear sculpture outdoors at night with painted design featuring mountains, sunflowers, and the words 'The Mountain Grail Experience'.
Colorful bear sculpture with a blue and green design, featuring a guitar and star motifs, located outdoors at night with string lights and tables with umbrellas in the background.
A woman standing next to a colorful bear statue at an outdoor event during the evening.

MUSIC!

Three women singing into microphones at an outdoor event, one wearing a red bandana and red earrings, with a blurred crowd in the background.
A live outdoor musical performance featuring a group of six young women and one woman playing guitars and singing on a stage with a sign that reads 'Mountain Top Media.'
Two women performing music outdoors with a band, one singing and playing guitar, the other standing at a microphone, with a drummer in the background.
Three women laughing and performing music outdoors, one holding a guitar.
A group of five musicians performing outdoors on a stage, with three women and two men. One man is playing an acoustic guitar, another man is playing a double bass, and one woman is playing a mandolin. The women are singing and appear to be enjoying
A live music performance on an outdoor stage with four band members, including a woman singing and playing acoustic guitar, and a background of a beige brick building with multiple windows, American flags, and greenery.
A man wearing sunglasses and a green and white trucker hat is playing a pedal steel guitar outdoors. He is sitting on a gray chair, focused on the instrument.
Four women performing with guitars and a banjo outdoors, with an American flag and a building in the background.
Two women playing keyboard outdoors, one wearing a floral shawl and straw hat, the other in a brown T-shirt, with a drum set in the background.
A woman with red hair, wearing sunglasses and a colorful embroidered kimono, singing into a microphone while playing a blue electric guitar on an outdoor stage.
A band performing on an outdoor stage at a community event. The stage has a sign that reads 'Mountain Top Media' and is decorated with various local sponsor logos. The band consists of five members playing instruments including a saxophone, electric
A band performing on an outdoor stage at night, with multiple musicians playing guitars, drums, and singing. The stage is decorated with string lights, and an American flag is visible on the side.
Musicians performing outdoors; a man with long hair and beard playing the violin, a man with gray hair and glasses playing keyboard, American flags and string lights hanging overhead.
Man wearing sunglasses and a pink T-shirt playing an electric guitar on an outdoor stage, with a drummer in the background and string lights overhead.
A woman singing and playing an acoustic guitar on stage at an outdoor event, with American flags and string lights in the background.
A young woman with long curly hair singing into a microphone during a performance, with musical equipment in the background.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing sunglasses, earrings, a sleeveless top, and yellow fringe pants, playing an acoustic guitar on stage while singing into a microphone.
A woman playing an acoustic guitar on stage, holding her hand to her ear, with a man playing an electric guitar beside her, and a drummer in the background.
Two women performing on stage, singing and playing guitar, wearing matching T-shirts with a logo.
Two women, smiling and singing into a microphone, one with a guitar, on stage at an outdoor event.
A woman with dark hair and sunglasses singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar at an outdoor event.
Two women smiling, side by side, outdoors, in front of a brick wall, with one wearing a red floral shirt and glasses, and the other wearing a patterned shirt and turquoise earrings.
Woman wearing a yellow dress, straw hat, and yellow sunglasses, holding a bouquet of multicolored flowers, smiling outdoors.
A young woman with dark hair singing passionately into a microphone during a performance, captured in black and white.
Two women singing or speaking into microphones at an event, with joyful expressions and colorful clothing.
Women playing musical instruments on stage at a live performance, with one woman holding a violin and another with a guitar, dressed in casual clothing, with a dark background.
A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses and a Nirvana t-shirt, playing a white electric bass guitar on stage.
A woman with long reddish-brown hair smiling and laughing, wearing a straw hat and denim vest. She is in front of a microphone and appears to be at an event or performance.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing sunglasses and a floral patterned top, is performing outdoors with a guitar and singing into a microphone.
A young man playing an electric guitar in a music practice space, wearing a T-shirt that reads "Here for the Mountain Girls."
A young man wearing sunglasses and a cap playing a banjo on stage during a performance, with a woman in the background looking on.
Women perform on stage at night, singing into microphones, with string lights above and an American flag in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage, one woman playing an acoustic guitar and one man playing an electric bass guitar, with a drum set in the background.
A woman singing passionately into a microphone during a performance, wearing a black embroidered top with colorful floral designs and flowers in her hair, with a blurred musician playing guitar in the background.
Three women are performing on an outdoor stage, with one woman standing and singing into a microphone, the second woman sitting on the floor, and the third woman sitting on a chair and singing into a microphone. There are musical instruments, microph
A band performing outdoors, featuring a woman singing and playing piano, a guitarist in sunglasses, and a saxophonist playing his instrument.
A group of women and a child performing music on stage outdoors at night, with musical instruments and microphones.
Black and white photo of a man with long, curly hair and beard, wearing glasses and a T-shirt, smiling while playing an acoustic guitar with a woman.
A woman and a man playing guitars on an outdoor stage. The woman is wearing glasses and a black t-shirt, the man has long hair and a beard, and is also wearing a black t-shirt. There are microphones, musical instruments, and equipment around them, wi
A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black baseball cap and a blue T-shirt, singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar on an outdoor stage with a drum set in the background.
Three women band performing on an outdoor stage, each playing string instruments, with a beige building in the background and yellow flowers at the front of the stage.
Young girl singing and playing a mandolin guitar on stage with multiple microphones.
A young woman with long brown hair wearing sunglasses and a white tank top sings into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar.
A young woman with dark hair and purple highlights singing into a microphone outdoors, wearing glasses and a black shirt, with a green blurred background.
A woman in a yellow dress is sitting on a chair, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone at an outdoor performance stage with musical instruments and equipment in the background.
A woman singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar during an outdoor concert, with a building and trees in the background, and two other musicians playing drums and electric guitar.
A small girl sitting on the steps outside a gazebo watching a musical performance with a woman singing and another playing guitar. There is a sign on the ground reading 'You Are Enough'.
Older man with long gray hair and beard playing guitar and smiling at a woman with blonde hair playing guitar beside him.

ART Exhibition

Click HERE for More

A young girl with blonde hair and colorful hair beads painting on a bright blue canvas with pink grid lines.
People attending an art gallery or exhibition, with artworks displayed on the walls and a seating area for a musical performance or presentation.
Paint palette with blending tools, brochures, and informational materials on a table, with children and adults in the background at an indoor event.
Exhibition of colorful paintings hanging on a wall, including a still life, portrait, and landscape, with labels beneath each artwork.
A woman in a black dress hands a small trophy to another woman at an art gallery; a guitar leans against the wall, and a group of people sit and stand nearby, watching the exchange.
An art gallery wall displaying various paintings and mixed media artworks, including a close-up of a leaf with water droplets, a painted landscape of a barn with tulips, and a black and white drawing of Jesus walking on water.
Artwork titled 'The Breaks After the Fall' displayed on an easel in an art gallery, featuring a tree with exposed roots by a river, with viewers observing art in the background.
Group of five people, four adults and one child, viewing artwork in an art gallery, with paintings displayed on the wall.
Two young people sitting outside, drawing and coloring with various art supplies on a table, using a yellow easel.
A young girl with red hair, glasses, and a floral sleeveless top standing next to an art display at an exhibition. The art is a painting of a landscape with a sunset or sunrise over mountains and water, with the words "LIFE ON MARS" on a small sign i
A girl with blonde hair is drawing a colorful portrait of a woman in profile on a drawing board at an outdoor art station, with various art supplies and colored pencils spread on the table.
A band performing live on stage at night. The group includes a woman singing into a microphone, a woman playing an acoustic guitar, and a man playing an electric guitar. The background features stage lighting and a building with windows.
A watercolor painting of a bird perched on a branch with red berries, signed by Rhonda. The inside of a Christmas card with a personal handwritten message from the Mountain Grrl Artists to Kris and all the Mountain Grrls, expressing gratitude and hol
Two women and a girl painting a large canvas outdoors. The women are smiling and holding paintbrushes, while the girl, wearing a tie-dye shirt and white tights, stands next to a table with painting supplies. The background shows a wooden deck and gre
Poster for the 3rd Annual Women in the Arts Exhibition featuring an artistic line drawing of a woman's profile with a flower in her hair, event details, and an artist reception scheduled for June 2nd at the Appalachian Center of the Arts.
A table at an outdoor market stall displays colorful artwork, tarot card sets, bracelets, and other items. The artwork features vibrant illustrations of women with floral and mystical themes. The sign on the table indicates that bracelets are priced
Two women standing together at an art exhibit, smiling. Artworks are displayed on the wall behind them, including paintings of a woman with a guitar, a black and white portrait, and various other pieces. The setting appears to be a gallery with tiled
Two women standing in front of a wall with a large logo that reads "The Mountain Girl Experience," with a picture of a woman's profile and a guitar. They are holding a wooden award or plaque together. The woman on the left is wearing a floral dress,

WORKSHOPS!

Display of children's musical instruments and toys under a canopy in a park, including a ukulele, a small trombone, a tambourine, a small basketball, a marker, and a boxed toy labeled 'Instrument Petting Zoo'.
Woman with curly hair and leaf-shaped earrings painting on a grid of colorful artwork mounted on a wall during an outdoor event.
People gathered at an outdoor event under a white tent, with colorful play structures and a wooden fence in the background. A woman in a colorful tie-dye shirt and yellow glasses is smiling at a young girl with blonde hair.
Children painting colorful pictures on a large backing board outdoors at a sunny park.
Two young girls making slime at a table outdoors on a sunny day, with a man assisting, surrounded by tents and playground equipment.
Outdoor concert in a gazebo with a band playing instruments including a guitar, banjo, and double bass, with audience members sitting in plastic chairs.
A woman with tattoos speaking to a group of people sitting on the grass in a park.
A group of people sitting on blankets in a park, engaging in a meditation or group activity. There are trees, benches, and buildings in the background.
Colorful drums with animal and nature designs displayed at an outdoor market or fair.
A booth at an outdoor event with a banner reading 'Music is Healing' and logos for Healing Appalachia and Hope in the Hills, with colorful painted drums displayed in front and a woman sitting behind the drums.
A community event taking place outdoors on a sunny day with children sitting on chairs and watching a musical performance on a gazebo stage. The stage has a band performing, with a sign that reads 'You are enough' in front of it. Behind the stage, th
People gathered around a table with paints and art supplies near a playground, with a slide and a red brick building in the background.
A woman sitting on grass at an outdoor event, smiling and holding colorful balloons. She is wearing sunglasses, blue gloves, a tie-dye shirt, and shorts.
A woman playing guitar with a young boy sitting beside her at an outdoor event, with colorful drums, books, and toys on a table in the foreground under a white canopy.
Children and adults sitting on chairs outdoors, watching a performance, with trees and a modern building in the background.
Children and adults participating in an outdoor dance or exercise class on a sidewalk with trees and parked cars in the background.
Child sitting on a quilted blanket outdoors, playing with a small drum, tambourine, and a wooden xylophone, with a black wagon and suitcase in the background.
Group of people gathered around a picnic table with a sign that says 'Let's Make Music Together.' Children and adults are creating crafts or playing with objects at an outdoor park with playground equipment in the background.

FUN!

A group of diverse people sitting outdoors, clapping and enjoying an event, with trees in the background.
Frosted cake with blue and brown decorative icing, featuring a profile of a woman's face with flowing hair, and the words 'WILD AND FREE' written on it.
A girl drawing a large flower on concrete with chalk, surrounded by chalk boxes and other chalk art on the sidewalk.
A market booth with colorful tie-dye clothing and accessories under a rainbow-colored canopy, featuring a woman in a tie-dye shirt and denim shorts shopping, with an older woman seated in the background.
Group of people sitting outdoors under blue umbrellas, some clapping and smiling, woman standing using binoculars.
Young woman with long hair, wearing a graphic t-shirt, denim shorts, and a yellow patterned jacket, dancing on an outdoor stage at a community event, with a man holding a camera nearby and seated elderly man watching in the foreground, surrounded by
An outdoor vendor booth under a red canopy, selling Appalachian forager products like jars of supplies, oils, and sprays. A woman in sunglasses stands behind the table, with other people nearby, including a young boy sitting on a bench.
Young girl sitting cross-legged on a patterned blanket on concrete pavement, wearing a black T-shirt with a yellow bow in her hair, in an outdoor setting with people seated on black chairs in the background.
People gathered outside Appalachian Arena, some sitting under blue umbrellas, others standing and talking. There is a table with items and a small tent, with a backdrop of a brick building and green hills.
People at an outdoor event with tables covered in Kentucky HealthCare banners, engaging in conversation, with a large wooden structure and trees in the background.
A group of people sitting outdoors under umbrellas, enjoying a sunny day. A woman with long hair and a yellow headband is standing, singing into a microphone, and appears to be performing or speaking, while others watch and listen.
People browsing and shopping at an outdoor marketplace. The scene includes vendors' booths with desserts, crafts, and other items under white tents on a sunny day, with some children and adults interacting.
Four women posing next to large, decorated letters spelling 'NOEL' at an outdoor nighttime event, with string lights overhead and a stage with band performing in the background.
A woman with gray hair and sunglasses speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event, holding papers and a phone in her hand.
Three women standing inside a music store; one is holding a signed electric guitar, and there are several guitars on display in the background. A text overlay congratulates Denise Baisden on winning the 2023 Mountain GRRL Experience signed guitar.
Community health event taking place in a park with tables and tents, including one banner from Kentucky Cancer Program, with park benches, trees, and people in the background.
Three females on stage, two playing guitars and one girl in the middle looking at the camera with a cardboard box, microphones set up in front of them, stage lights in the background.
Two women, one wearing a hat, dancing happily at an outdoor patio with blue umbrellas and tables.
A group of diverse women and children dancing and enjoying outdoor celebration under blue umbrellas.
A woman in a racing suit standing next to a race car with sponsor logos and the number 83, at an outdoor event. There are tents, trailers, and flowering plants in the background.
Two women with sunglasses and dresses standing next to large decorative letters spelling 'MAY.' The letters are decorated with patterns: the 'M' with mushrooms, the 'A' with mushrooms, the 'Y' with abstract designs, and the 'L' with butterflies.
A young child sitting on a quilted blanket outdoors with a toy drum, tambourine, and a wooden xylophone, surrounded by a grassy area, a stroller, and a box of pamphlets or brochures.
A young boy sitting cross-legged on a quilted blanket outdoors, playing a small drum with drumsticks. There are people and tents in the background, indicating a gathering or festival. The boy is wearing a red t-shirt with a 'rocker' graphic and orang
A young woman is standing next to large decorative letters spelling 'NOEL' at an outdoor event. She is smiling, wearing sunglasses, a white top, a long skirt with a high slit, and brown boots. American flags and other flags are flying on poles in the
Young boy wearing large white sunglasses, holding a blue slushie drink, standing in front of a pink table with various items for sale at an outdoor market or fair.
Children and adults seated outdoors on foldable chairs watching a performance or presentation, with large green trees and a building in the background.
Two men sitting at an outdoor table with drinks, one wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt, the other with a beard and cowboy hat, behind a metal fence during daytime.
A small white and black dog with a pink collar and blue bone-shaped tag sitting on stage near a guitar amplifier, with people and musical equipment in the background.
Poster advertising the Mountain Top Media Stage at the Girl Experience in Pikeville, Kentucky, featuring schedules for musical performances from June 15 to June 17, and various sponsor logos at the bottom.
Poster for the Bluegrass State Guitar Experience festival, June 15-17, 2023, in Pikeville, Kentucky, featuring a stylized feminine profile with flowing, colorful hair, stars, and a circular logo with a silhouette of a woman and a guitar.
Event flyer for 'Women in the Arts: The Mountain Grrl Experience Art Exhibition 2023' at the Appalachian Center for the Arts, featuring a colorful painted canvas of a face and contact information, alongside sponsor logos and text describing the celebration of women artists and entertainment.
Flyer for the Mountain Grrl Experience event in Pikeville, Kentucky, June 15-17, 2023, featuring sponsors and event details, with a brown background and logo of a guitar with a mountain and girl face and the text "Wild and Free."
Event schedule for June 15-17 includes live music performances, art activities, workshops, and community demonstrations at various locations, with a map showing the event layout.
Event schedule poster for the Rose Stage and City Park Workshops & Activities in Pikeville, Kentucky, featuring various activities over two days with colorful graphics and logos at the bottom.
Poster promoting Bluegrass Night at Pikeville, Kentucky on June 15, 2023, with performances by the Scott Napier and Bobby Osborne Jr., the Price Sisters, Kelly Caldwell, and Coaltown Dixie, featuring images of the performers and event details.

2023

Event Links

Art