Workshops and Programs

All workshops are FREE for KIDS OF ALL AGES unless otherwise noted.

Jessica Salyer, Art Positive Project

Curator: Mountain Grrl Experience Women in the Arts Exhibition
Director/Teaching Artist: Art Positive Project, Inc.
Director/Curator/ Teaching Artist: Main Street Art Studios, Inc.
Renaissance Art Guild Board Member/Curator: Salyersville Renaissance on Main
Podcaster: Weird Appalachia Podcast

Eastern Kentucky based award winning mix media artist, Jessica Salyer, has been honing her skills in

the therapeutic and healing practices that creating works of art can have on the human experience.

Her distinctive personal style emanates the vibrance that the mental and physical experiences we

have can affect us greatly.

Originally a mix media painter, Jessica blended her painting skills with her own therapeutic practices of 10 years, bringing about her new passion Art Positive Project, Inc. Jessica’s evolution into teaching the healing properties that creating can have, allowed her to introduce another element to this union and extended this experience to east Kentucky communities. Her use of teaching through her own experiences allows Jessica to challenge the boundaries of people’s perception of art and mental health. She utilizes guided meditation to which each participant can explore the depths of their own internal mental health and release any blocks that may otherwise go unnoticed or unresolved. Art Positive Project’s mission is to help spread mental health awareness and help give everyone an out of the box way of thinking about what we can do for ourselves to heal through the process of art. Jessica is excited about the future of Art Positive Project and hopes to further this experience to more regions in Kentucky and else where.

Woman holding a colorful painting of watermelon with the text 'Watermelon Bacing 2022' at an outdoor event.

Releasing the Guilt Painting

4-6pm, Friday, June 21-City Park Shelter

Often we allow our guilt to fester within us. Fighting the stereotypes of what self-care means for ourselves can help release past guilts that we’ve held on to; in some cases for years. The simplest things such as taking a day to ourselves can make us feel like we are procrastinating or even being lazy leaving a guilt behind that we should not carry. What advice would you give a friend or family member in the same situation? When we look at society, they give solutions but they assume we live in a certain class with options that are readily available to us. To assume most of us have disposable income, that you deny yourself these options, or even have the time to engage in these activities. Having just one day to acknowledge what burdens you are carrying can have a lasting impact on the we look at the rest of our lives.

Participants will be asked to write down things they’ve felt guilt about. Meditation guidance will lead participants to visualize what it feels like to let go. They will put their papers of guilt into our burning bowl to watch the guilt disappear. Participants will be asked to visualize an affirmative positive word to put in the Wreath of Hope that they will create and paint

Sponsored by UK Community Arts Extension-University of Kentucky

Two young children are painting on canvases set up outside under a plastic tent, with splatters of paint on the ground and on their canvases. The children are smiling and appear to be enjoying a messy art activity.

Woman leading a painting class, holding up a canvas with a version of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'; other people painting at tables in the background.

Paint Slinging!

1pm, Saturday, June 22-City Park -Under the Trees

Sling some paint and have some fun! Create your own one of a kind masterpiece. No experience necessary!

Sponsored by UK Community Arts Extension-University of Kentucky

Child with short hair wearing a white shirt, standing in front of an easel with a painting, holding a palette and brush, with a semi-transparent curtain in the background.

Coaltown Dixie

Jump in there and Jam!

3pm Friday, June 21-City Park Gazebo Stage

Have you been standing in the circle, tapping your foot, maybe humming along, but not gotten your instrument out of the case yet? Well, here’s your chance. Bring an instrument if you have one, or just hang out with the Coaltown Dixie gals as we discuss ways to feel more comfortable in a musical jam situation, jamming etiquette, etc. Learn to play a song with us so we can all jam again together sometime SOON!

Black and white photo of five women playing musical instruments on a stage with microphones and speakers during a live performance.

Graduation cap placed on a diploma scroll tied with a red ribbon.

A woman with curly blonde hair and glasses playing a banjo in a classroom. The background features colorful word and phonics charts on beige cabinets, with a classroom cubby filled with children's backpacks and supplies.

Graduation cap placed on a rolled diploma tied with a red ribbon.

Melanie Turner

Rhythm Fun!

1pm Friday, June 20-City Park Gazebo Stage

Join Melanie Turner, Kentucky Arts Council Teaching Artist and Musician (Coaltown Dixie), for an exciting “Rhythm Fun” workshop! Explore the world of rhythm through children’s literature and interactive activities using various rhythm instruments and live music.

The workshop incorporates music with banjo and guitar accompaniment, enriching the experience and inspiring musical interaction.

Participants will have access to a variety of rhythm instruments which include tambourines, shakers, drums, and other percussion tools.

All ages are welcome to join, fostering a sense of community and shared musical exploration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrMECGGZzL0

Build your own Drum 101

with

Stephanie and Isabelle Rose

12-1pm Friday, June 21 City Park-Under the Trees

Join Coaltown Dixie Musician Stephanie Rose and Woodsongs Kid/Honorary Member of Coaltown Dixie Isabelle Rose for the first workshop of Coaltown College 101 "Build your Own Drum!"

Participants will be given materials to build a percussion instrument from common household items. Stickers will be available to decorate the drum.

This workshop incorporates using musical accompaniments and adding basic rhythms. The artistic enrichment is multiplied by musical interaction and visual art. Topics of pitch and size of drum, and keeping a steady beat will be discussed.

Everyone of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun; creating a circle of rhythm and musical exploration.

Sponsored by Community Trust Bank

A green ice cream container featuring labels and images related to music bands and genres, including 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown,' 'Rocky Top,' and 'Shady Grove,' along with band logos and a photo of a band called 'Coaltown College.'

A graduation cap resting on a diploma tied with a red ribbon.

Stef Ratliff

Hustling from the Holler

A young woman with shoulder-length wavy dark hair with gray highlights, blue eyes, red lipstick, and a nose ring.

Decorative guitar shaped like an artist, painted blue with artistic patterns, displayed on a wooden background.

A colorful fabric banner with a stylized portrait of a woman, star and music-themed patterns, and the words 'Rosanne' and 'Hurricane'.

12-1pm Friday, June 21, Faith Life Market, 130 Division Street, Downtown

Stef Ratliff (she/her), the wild woman behind KYARTRAT, pays tribute to her southern upbringing through her life & art. Ratliff's true love is a tie between painting, music, & the fall hunting season. She is a professional artist living in eastern Kentucky on the side of a mountain with her dogs. An award winning ceramic artist, painter, annual trophy artist for the Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, & a coal miner's daughter from Pike County, KY. You can find her work currently on display across the USA.

We are grateful to Stef for offering to help judge our Women in the Arts Exhibition this year.

Stef is ready to teach you ways to pay your bills and be an artist too.

“Roots”

Poetry Workshop with Emily Jones Hudson

12:15-1:15pm Saturday, June 22-The Historic Garfield House

Emily Jones Hudson is a native of Hazard, Kentucky. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Berea College and is a writer, author, pastor, and poet. Her published books are Water-Walking Faith, Touch the Hem, Soul Miner, and Home, A Collection of Poetic Thoughts and Things. She is the mother of two children and “Nana” to one granddaughter. A brief former city dweller, Hudson loves the hills of Southeastern Kentucky and loves to tell their story. Emily has conducted several oral history projects and has also worked as a newspaper reporter/editor and freelance writer in the past. She is the founder and Senior Pastor of CommonBond Christian Fellowship Ministries. She is founder and Executive Director of the Southeast Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center. https://mountainmanna.wordpress.com/

A woman with short dark hair, wearing glasses and a black top with a patterned shawl, smiling in front of a wooden background.

Join Emily for a unique and intimate workshop entitled “ROOTS”.

Roots is a workshop that takes participants on an exploration and journey to discover and discuss our roots, where we are from. The emphasis is on not being ashamed of where we come from but being proud of our culture and heritage. The workshop uses poetry as the medium of expression.

Flyer for Bluegrass Ladies Sporting Weekend Camp Out taking place June 21-23 in Pikeville, KY, featuring activities like camping, art, music, hiking, workshops, survival skills, and nature therapy.

Get outdoorsy with the Bluegrass Ladies Sporting Club!

The Bluegrass Ladies Sporting Club are Heading to the Mountains and ready to meet and introduce you to the Great Outdoors! Check out these great free workshops they are offering!

11am Saturday, June 22-City Park-Under the Trees

Plant a Rosemary Gladstar Medicinal Herb Garden

3:45pm, Saturday, June 22-Historic Garfield House-Near City Park

Would you Like to Try Hunting?

5pm, Saturday, June 22-Historic Garfield House-Near City Park

Ladies Outdoor Personal Safety Workshop

If you are interesting in Camping with these Cool Chicks this weekend, click the logo below for more information.

Appalachian Forager-LinkTree

The Appalachian Forager

Mushroomin’ 101

Learn how to get started with mushroom hunting as well as discussing edible Appalachian mushrooms by season.

Sponsored by Hope in the Hills

A smiling young woman in a gray t-shirt and blue beanie hat holding a large wild mushroom outdoors in a green wooded area.

1:30-3:30pm Saturday, June 22, Historic Garfield House

Whitney Johnson is a full time forager, content creator, and Appalachian ambassador. With over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on Appalachia and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides.

Born and raised in eastern Kentucky, she developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager).

Her accolades include being named Appalachian Arts and Entertainments Awards’ Best Social Media Influencer, Appodlachia’s Appalachian of the Year and Content Creator of the Year, as well as being featured in numerous news segments and articles, including multiple appearances on The Weather Channel. Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive… with a dash of humor. “How-to get started with mushroom hunting and I go over edible Appalachian mushrooms by season.

Folk Arts Director, Hindman Settlement School

Learn to play the Mountain Dulcimer!

2pm Friday, June 21 City Park Gazebo Stage

This workshop is open to both children and adults. No dulcimer? No problem! We will have 30 dulcimers available for you to practice with during the workshop. This workshop was a huge success at the 2021 Mountain Grrl Experience. Be there early to get your instrument and learn to be a dulcimer rock star!

www.sarahkatemorgan.com

A woman with glasses and curly hair sitting on a chair in a grassy field holding a guitar while looking at the camera, black and white photograph.

Sarah Kate Morgan

Graduation cap on top of a diploma scroll with a red ribbon.

A woman and a young girl dancing indoors with a dance gallery backdrop in the background

Tiffany Hall Owen

Basic Flatfooting and Hambone!

2pm Friday, June 21 City Park Gazebo Stage

Tiffany Hall Owen is the Head Instructor at The Dance Gallery and received an MFA in Dance from Florida State University. In this 30-45 minute class, you will learn the basics of Appalachian Flat Foot Dancing as well as “hambone,” a type of percussion. This is great practice for the Square Dance Friday Night!

30-45 minutes. All ages welcome. Full-soled shoes recommended (not flip flops or sandals)

Tie Dye Time with Zoe Howard

12-3pm Friday, June 21 City Park-Under the Trees

11-1pm Saturday, June 22 City Park-Under the Trees

We all want to look as cool as our :”Appalachian Janis Joplin” Zoe Howard. And now we can by making our own Tie Dye t-shirt!

T-shirts, tie dyes, rubber bands and plastic bags will be provided. Workshop attendees can create a tie dye shirt and place their finished product in a plastic bag to take home to wash! All ages. Free while supplies last!

Sponsored by the Kent Rose Foundation

Young woman with dark hair singing into a microphone on an outdoor stage. She is wearing a colorful tie-dye shirt, ripped denim shorts, and round earrings. There are music stands with numbered pages in front of her.

Three women sitting in front of a colorful, psychedelic mural with a sun and clouds. The two women on the ends are wearing tie-dye shirts with the name 'Zoe' and peace signs. The woman in the middle is wearing a vibrant, patterned outfit.

A woman with short, dark hair and blue eyes taking a selfie in a living room with a colorful blurred curtain in the background.

Jenn Noble

11-1pm Saturday, June 22 City Park Shelter

Jenn Noble is a contemporary Appalachian artist living and creating in Hazard, Kentucky.

Her eclectic and enchanting works are often woven into layers of quilted imagery that reflect a love of the mountains inspired by Native American teachings. Imagination, vibrancy and whimsy capture the magic of Shepherd's artwork.

Jenn has ten years of experience teaching various mediums in the classroom and has been creating art for most of her life. She decided to be an artist at the age of seven, and on her journey since, has rarely gotten off the path. Her work has been shown at the Mountain Arts Center, Appalachian Artisan Center, Appalshop, and is on the cover of two published books.

“When people see my work, I hope they remember that the mountains are full of magic and it's important that heritage continues to live through art.”

Enjoy an opportunity to spend time working with Jenn and create beautiful Decorative Garden Beads for your planters or home decor!

Colorful beaded garden stakes inserted into soil in a large black plant pot, with green bushy plants and pink flowers in the background.

Colorful beaded plant stakes with clear glass or acrylic spheres on top, inserted into soil among small yellow flowers in a red flowerpot, outdoors with a wooden fence and green grass in the background.

Square Dance!

No experience required! Female Caller and OG Mountain Grrl, Sarah Kate Morgan will lead you through the steps and you will be dancing in no time! Local musicians including the Coaltown Dixie gals will provide the music to get your do-si-do on!

6pm Friday June 21

Sponsored by Hindman Settlement School

A woman with brown, wavy hair, glasses, and a warm smile is holding an acoustic guitar. She is wearing an orange blouse with embroidered details.

People dancing in a line at an indoor social event, with a woman smiling and holding hands with a man with a beard, and others dancing in the background.

Grace Ann Overbey Henson

Make a Tree Cookie Workshop

1-3pm Friday, June 21-City Park Shelter

Grace Henson is an artist and quilter from Hindman, KY, specializing in visual arts for Kindergarten to Adults. Grace is a Kentucky Arts Council Teaching Artist and a member of Arts for All Kentucky. Learn more about her work at: www.justalittleartsv.com

A woman smiling and wearing sunglasses takes a selfie at a geothermal area with steam rising from the ground in the background.

Three wood slice ornaments with trees and the name 'Allie' written on one, all hanging from twine.

Decorate a Pot

and

Pot a Plant!

with “Extension Angel” Kristy Stevens Porter

12-1pm, Friday, June 21 City Park-Under the Trees

Use acrylic paint to design and paint your own flowerpot. Then transfer some pretty flowers into it! Acrylics dry pretty quickly, but if your MGE schedule is packed, we can help out with baggies of potting soil so you can assemble your finished product later.

Sponsored by UK Community Arts Extension-University of Kentucky

Person painting a decorated paper lantern with purple flowers and green stems during a craft activity at a table with other people.

Group of people, including children and adults, sitting at a long table under a wooden pavilion outdoors, participating in arts and crafts activities. There are art supplies, paper, and paint palettes on the table, with some people painting and others observing or assisting.

A woman with brown hair and green eyes smiling, wearing tortoiseshell glasses, sitting in a car.

A black and gray dumbbell with weight plates on each end.

A woman carrying a young girl on her shoulders, holding blue dumbbells, in front of two banners on a white brick wall. The woman is wearing a red workout tank top, and the girl is smiling and wearing a black outfit, holding dumbbells.

Full Body Fitness Workout with Michelle’s Goal Diggers

11-12pm Saturday, June 22-City Park Gazebo Stage

Michelle Connelley with Michelle’s Goal Diggers FBF Full Body Fitness will bring music, mats and weights that you can use during this full body strength cardio class. What a perfect way to get in shape and get ready for a full day of Mountain Grrl Experience fun!

Enroll in Coaltown College!

Welcome to Coaltown College!

Coaltown College is a place to explore and learn everything about music! The professors of Coaltown College are none other than the gals of Coaltown Dixie. The diverse course offerings include instrument making, learning all about an instrument, jamming sessions, rhythm workshops, songwriting and more!

The first official classes offered this semester will be from 12-4pm in the City Park:

Build Your Own Drum 101 with Stephanie and Isabelle Rose
12-1pm Friday, June 21 City Park-Under the Trees
Rhythm Fun with Melanie Turner
1pm Friday, June 20-City Park Gazebo Stage
Learn to Play the Dulcimer with Sarah Kate Morgan
2pm Friday, June 21 City Park Gazebo Stage
Jump in There and Jam! with Coaltown Dixie
3pm Friday, June 21-City Park Gazebo Stage
Get your Report Card Lanyard stamped for every class you complete to work toward your Coaltown College Degree!
Sponsored by Community Trust Bank, BelleRose Developments, Rose Builders and Pike County Tourism

Graduation cap, diploma with red ribbon, and a graduation tassel.

Look for the Graduation Cap Icon for Coaltown College courses!

Workshops on 2nd street

Exterior view of Bridgett's Quilting Sewing & Fabric Shop with a large blue sign, black awning, and window display of quilting and sewing supplies.

Make a Quilt Square with Bridgett

at

Bridgett’s Quilting and Fabric Shop!

10am-5pm Saturday, June 22

237 2nd St, Pikeville, KY 41501

$15 per person

Four quilt blocks with various geometric patterns and colorful fabrics on a teal cutting mat.

Free events all weekend long

Illustration of a bear playing a double bass, a monkey playing maracas, a hedgehog playing a trumpet, a purple hippopotamus with tambourines, a fox singing, a panda playing a harmonica, and a sheep playing a flute, all depicted as a musical ensemble at a petting zoo.

Musical Instrument Petting Zoo

Fun for little ones!

12-5pm Friday, June 21- City Park Under the trees

12-5pm Saturday, June 22- City Park Under the trees

A collage of images depicting a mobile health clinic from Pike County Health Department. It includes the interior of the van with a bed, a chair, and workspace. There are health supplies like hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray. The exterior shows the van and a table with health information, staffed by a group of five women in matching uniforms standing in front of the vehicle.

Collection of colorful geometric paper craft projects with various shapes and patterns.

Make a Paper Quilt Square!

12-5pm Friday, June 21 City Park-Under the Trees

12-5pm Saturday, June 22 City Park-Under the Trees

Design and create your very own paper quilt square!

Choose from a variety of paper colors and patterns to design your quilt square.
Create a unique design or use a provided pattern.
Cut, arrange, and glue your paper pieces to form your quilt square.
Get creative and have fun expressing yourself through paper crafting!
Children should be accompanied by an adult.

All quilt squares created will be joined together to create a beautiful festival paper quilt that will be displayed for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a collaborative art project!

“The Mountain Mama Van”

A safe, clean baby changing and feeding station located on Main Street, in downtown Pikeville.

Courtesy of The Pike County Health Department

Three women standing together smiling in a music store with guitars in the background. The woman in the middle holds a signed cream-colored electric guitar. A congratulatory message on a card reads: 'Congratulations Denise Baisden on winning the 2023 Mountain GRRL Experience signed guitar!'

Win an Autographed Guitar

Courtesy of Mountain Music Exchange

Visit Executive Mountain Grrl Joani Cleary at the Mountain Top Media Stage area and sign up for this FREE giveaway! Win a guitar autographed by all your favorite 2024 Mountain Grrl Musicians!

Buy your

Official 2024 Mountain Grrl Experience

Merchandise

Visit the Merch Table at the Mountain Top Media Stage for Tees, Caps, Stickers, etc. Get ‘em while you can. When they are gone, they are gone!

The Gathering

Photo Booth

A little luxury and a lot of y’all gathered ‘round a cool camera! Located by the Mountain Top Media Stage!

A young child sitting on a quilted blanket outdoors, surrounded by musical instruments including a drum, tambourine, and xylophone, with a stroller and a box of pamphlets or booklets in the background.