Our first big year!
2021 Mountain Grrl Experience in the news
Jeremy Justice of Mountain Top News shares footage and stories from the day
Mountain Grrl Experience in print
Article and pictures from the Appalachian News Express
MGE 2021 Workshops, Music & Trade Show under the Pavilion Tent
Many thanks to our photographer friends Dusty Layne, Larry Epling, Lisa Sullivan and Jeremy Justice
Young Mountain Grrls dance to Larah Helayne
Cute Mountain Boyyy learning the spoons!
Zoe Howard
Dulcimer workshop with Sarah Kate Morgan
We are our mother's savage daughters...with Dara Hart Riley
Abby's dog Willie---the star of the show!
Ballad writing workshop with Jen Tackett
Songwriting workshop with Jen Tackett
Songwriting workshop with Jen Tackett
Songwriting workshop with Jen Tackett
April Allen
Sarah Kate Morgan
Dulcimer workshop with Sarah Kate Morgan
East Kentucky Strong-Trade Show Booth
Dulcimer workshop
Turning Point-Trade Show Booth
Hindman Settlement School-Trade Show Booth-Sarah Kate Morgan
Dulcimer Workshop with Sarah Kate Morgan
Cajun Cuisine from Shalei's Harbor Food Truck
Enjoying the Spoon Workshop with Abby
Appalachian College of Pharmacy students providing free Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar screenings
Abby the Spoon Lady shares her story
Trade Show
Emily Jamerson Yoga Booth at the Trade Show
Gypsy Wings Kid's Tent-Free crafts courtesy of Sarah Fightmaster
New friends and old!
Coaltown Dixie gals having fun learning a new instrument!
Larah Helayne
Coaltown Dixie backing up Abby the Spoon Lady
Mountain dulcimer workshop
Abby the Spoon Lady Workshop
Sporting feather clips from Gypsy Wings kids craft tent!
Dara Hart Riley opens the Mountain Grrl Experience!
Women's Services-Hershell Woody Williams VA Medical Center, Huntington, WVa-Trade Show Booth
Dulcimer workshop with Sarah Kate Morgan
Pond Creek Cue offered up some tasty BBQ!
Host Band Coaltown Dixie jamming with Abby the Spoon Lady
Back of an elderly woman with short white hair, wearing a black T-shirt with white text that says, "Everyone has a story. It's time for the Mountain Grrls to tell theirs." She is sitting in a chair, surrounded by other chairs and people in a room that appears to be a casual gathering or event.
The host band welcomes you!
Coaltown Dixie with Abby the Spoon Lady
Cara Coppola-Open Mic
Sarah Kate Morgan shares her talents
Learning the Mountain Dulcimer!
Flower crowns!
Emma Gilley at the Open Mic
Sarah Fightmaster takes a turn at the Open Mic-with a little help from Tommy
Abby the Spoon Lady!
MGE 2021 Art Gallery
Scroll below to see the amazing artwork shared by some extremely talented Mountain Girls. Check out the artist page to learn more about these Appalachian artists. Also, see pics from the Art Workshop “Finding Your Authentic Self.”
Finding the Authentic Self-Workshop with Jessica Salyer
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Finding the Authentic Self-Workshop with Jessica Salyer
Finding the Authentic Self-Workshop with Jessica Salyer
Finding the Authentic Self-Workshop with Jessica Salyer
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Artist: Jen Yonts
Artist: Kayla Freeman
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Artist: Liv Taylor
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Artist: Meridith Mullins
Liv Taylor
Artist: Audrey Caudill
Artist: Audrey Caudill
Artist: Jen Yonts
Artist: Jade Hart
Artist: Lena Marie Auxier
Left: Liv Taylor---Right: Jen Yonts
Artist: Jen Yonts
MGE 2021 Evening Concerts in the APP Theater
Photo credits: Larry Epling and Lisa Sullivan
Emily Jamerson
Jen Tackett wows the crowd
Senora May with Cecilia Wright
Host band Coaltown Dixie
Introducing, Senora May!
Bek Smallwood with Jen Tackett
Bek and the Starlight Review
Coaltown Dixie with special guests Abby the Spoon Lady, Larah Helayne and Sarah Kate Morgan
Chelsea Nolan lights a fire!
The Black Dragons
Jen Tackett red boot goofin!
The Black Dragons
Zoe Howard wins the autographed Fender Guitar presented by Joani Cleary of Mountain Music Exchange
A decorated birthday cake with a clock face and musical decorations, surrounded by colorful flowers, with the words 'Toupin' and 'GRL' on it, placed on a white surface near a stove with purple and blue napkins nearby.
A decorative sign with teal letters on a gray felt background, framed in gold, that reads: "COAL TOWN DIXIE WELCOMES YALL 2 MTN GRRL". The sign is on a table with various items, including a container with stickers and a pen, and some artificial red and yellow flowers.
Black-and-white photo of four women performing on stage with musical instruments, including guitars, drums, and a stand-up bass, in a concert hall.
Three women sitting on a floral Victorian-style sofa, smiling, wearing black T-shirts with a logo that reads 'The Mountain Girl Experience.' They are indoors with a wooden floor, a side cabinet on the right, and a round drum with a pink female symbol and the words 'The Woman's Groove' on the left.
Chelsea Nolan
“It’s well past 1am and I got home just a little bit ago. I’m trying so hard to put into words what today was like.
Behind the canvas, the instruments, the mic, the blood, sweat and tears of so many incredible women…there’s the first Mountain Grrl Experience.
What I witnessed today wasn’t an event.
It was a movement.
There were so many times I felt the tears coming. And usually, when that happens I look down and not around. But today, I saw that I wasn’t the only girl whose breath had been taken away. I am so proud to be Appalachian. And even more so to be a Mountain Grrl.
Hallelujah, ya’ll. We belong.
And there’s no looking down anymore.
Just forward.
Here’s to resilience.
Here’s to next year.
Here’s to what we plan to leave behind for the next generation of Appalachian women.