Workshops and Programs
All workshops are FREE for ALL AGES unless otherwise noted.
Front Porch Panel: The Power of the Appalachian Woman
1pm Friday, October 17
University of Pikeville
Booth Auditorium
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Danna Barnett
Social Enterprise Accelerator Project Manager | Supporting Entrepreneurs | Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth in Eastern Kentucky
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Brandis Bradley
Attorney | Social Influencer | Makeup Artist At Law
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Ashley Tackett Lafferty
Kentucky State Representative | Attorney
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Hayley Trimble, MD
Board Certified OB/GYN|Quilter
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Sponsored by the University of Pikeville
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Judi Patton
Former Kentucky First Lady | Activist for Women's Safety and Child Abuse Prevention
Tiffany Hall Owen
Basic Flatfooting and Hambone!
Saturday, October 18-Downtown 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)
Amanda Joe Slone
Writing Workshop
4-5pm Friday, October 17-Faith Life Market
Jessica Salyer
Curator: Mountain Grrl Experience Women in the Arts Exhibition
Renaissance Art Guild Board Member/Curator: Salyersville Renaissance on Main
Podcaster: Weird Appalachia Podcast
Former Director/Teaching Artist: Art Positive Project, Inc.
Former Director/Curator/ Teaching Artist: Main Street Art Studios, Inc.
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 mixed 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.
Releasing the Guilt Painting
10:30 am Saturday, October 18
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
Paint Slinging!
1pm until supplies run out, Saturday October 18
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
Fun & Easy DIY Tee Shirt Cutting!
5:30-8pm, Saturday, October 18
Bring your own tee-shirt or purchase a Mountain Grrl Shirt. Learn to use the scissors to make your own uniquely styled top!
Zoe & Jeannie Howard
Make a Tie Dye Tee!
Saturday, October 18-11 am until supplies run out
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
Melanie Turner
Learn to play the Mountain Dulcimer!
Saturday, October 18-APP Plaza
Melanie Turner is a singer, songwriter, musician, and certified elementary teacher with over 30 years of experience. A member of the all-female bluegrass band Coaltown Dixie, she also shares her love of music with the community through workshops, residencies, and her work as an instructor with the Pick and Bow music program. Dedicated to arts and education in rural communities, Melanie is a certified Community Scholar, Partners for Rural Impact Appalachian Teaching Artist Fellow and a teaching artist with the Kentucky Arts Council and Arts for All Kentucky.
This workshop is open to both children and adults. No dulcimer? No problem! We will have 25 dulcimers available for you to practice with during the workshop.
Melanie Turner
Rhythm Fun!
Saturday, October 18-APP Plaza
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.
Coaltown Dixie
Jump in there and Jam!
Saturday, October 18-APP Plaza
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 or your singing voice and plan to jump on stage with the Coaltown Dixie gals immediately after their performance to joing along on a song or two!
The Appalachian Forager
Book Signing!
Purchase a copy of Whitney Johnson’s new book “Go Forth and Forage.” Meet the author and have your book personally signed!
Saturday, October 18-Appalachian Center for the Arts
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.
Anna Christine
Living Eulogy
Saturday, October 18-Faith Life Market
Jeri Katherine Howell
Come Sing! Songwriting and Community Singing
Saturday, October 18-Downtown Stage
Explore the nourishing, joyful, and accessible power of participatory singing and songwriting with Jeri Katherine Howell. Together in a circle, Jeri Katherine will lead easy-to-learn acapella songs (both traditional and new) that connect us with ourselves, each other, and the creativity flowing through us.
Then we will explore creative writing prompts to generate your own lyrics and workshop ideas together. We will share ways to continue your songwriting practice at home, and close with a group song (perhaps one that you wrote in the workshop!).
Jeri Katherine understands music is medicine and facilitates singing and songwriting as an accessible tool to help us express, adapt, connect, and thrive in the face of modern challenges - plus it feels really good!
Show up exactly as you are with a journal and pen/pencil. All levels of singing and songwriting experience are welcome; yes, even if you don’t consider yourself a “singer” but you are feeling pulled to attend, this is for you. Come sing!
As a singer-songwriter rooted in the oral traditions of folk, Bluegrass and Appalachian music, Jeri Katherine’s songwriting and songleading style is in relation with the land, in deep listening to the triumphs and struggles of everyday people, and embodies music as a communal act. As a facilitator, Jeri Katherine believes we are all teachers and that every moment is a practice ground for building the world we want to exist. As a caretaker, Jeri Katherine focuses on the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of the arts and nature. Learn more and connect at jerikatherinehowell.com.
Kristy Stevens Porter “Extension Angel”
Make Decorative Garden Beads
Saturday, October 18-Green Space
Ceate beautiful Decorative Garden Beads for your planters or home decor!
Sponsored by UK Community Arts Extension-University of Kentucky
Jessica Miles
Mountain Laurels Podcast Taping
Saturday, October 18-Downtown
Jessica was recently awarded a prestigious grant from the KENTUCKY FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN to create a podcast documenting the rich, complex histories of women and women-identifying activists throughout Appalachia’s history. Through conversations with community leaders and activists from the region, this project will focus on the often-overlooked leadership of women and how their work impacts our community. These conversations will lead to broader discussions of place, power, the role of women in progressive movements, how to make change in communities, and reflection on leadership."
Maybe YOU will be her next interview!
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!
Official classes offered this “semester” will be:
Learn to Play the Dulcimer with Melanie Turner
Saturday, October 18
Jump in There and Jam! with Coaltown Dixie
Saturday, October 18
Rhythm Fun with Melanie Turner
Saturday, October 18
Get your Report Card Lanyard stamped for every class you complete to work toward your Coaltown College Degree!
Look for the Graduation Cap Icon for Coaltown College courses!
Workshops on 2nd street
Make a Quilt Square with Bridgett
at
Bridgett’s Quilting and Fabric Shop!
10am-5pm Saturday, October 18
237 2nd St, Pikeville, KY 41501
$15 per person
There’s more!
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo
Fun for little ones!
All Day Saturday, October 18- Downtown Green Space
“The Mountain Mama Van”
A safe, clean baby changing and feeding station will be located in downtown Pikeville.
Courtesy of The Pike County Health Department
Go Bear Huntin’!
Can YOU find the Mountain Grrl Bear located somewhere in downtown Pikeville?
Win an Autographed Guitar
Courtesy of Mountain Music Exchange
Visit the Merch Table and sign up for this FREE giveaway! Win a guitar autographed by all your favorite 2025 Mountain Grrl Musicians!
Buy your
Official 2025 Mountain Grrl Experience
Merchandise
Visit Denice and “Bug” at 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!
