“Appalachian Futures,” West Virginia University Libraries’ multidisciplinary exhibition, addresses the current main-stream narratives about Appalachia in a new way, by looking at how the people of Appalachia have worked and will work to rewrite their own story.
The exhibition is currently on display at the West Virginia University Potomac State College Mary F. Shipper Library through December. Then, it will travel to WVU Institute of Technology for display in the campus library, in Beckley, W.Va.
The exhibit launched at the WVU Downtown Library, in Morgantown, in 2019. Since then it has traveled to Marshall University Libraries; Appalachian State University Library in Boone, N.C. and the West Virginia State Library in Charleston.
“The exhibit takes us beyond the stereotypes to paint a rich and multi-layered picture of what it means to be Appalachian,” said Sally Brown, exhibits and programs coordinator for WVU Libraries.
“Appalachian Futures” is WVU Libraries’ second annual collaborative, multidisciplinary project advancing important conversations in the region. Synthesizing humanities research, art and civic action, the exhibit invites viewers to explore the often-overlooked communities of Indigenous Appalachia, “Affrilachian” (African American in Appalachia) and LGBTQ+ Appalachian.Examine Appalachian tradition and culture; the intersections between extraction industries, new technology, and science; literacies and education in Appalachia; as well as speculative futures for the region.
Contributors include WVU and regional scholars, community groups, and artists. Lead sponsors include the West Virginia Library Commission, WVU Humanities Center and Marshall University Libraries. Additional exhibit sponsors include Morgantown Print & Sign Superstore, Reed College of Media, Appalachian State University Libraries, Arts Monongahela, Catherine Wilson Jones, and First United Bank & Trust.
The Mary F. Shipper Library’s hours through Tuesday, August 16 will be Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staring Wednesday, August 17 and for the remainder of the semester, the library will be open Monday -Wednesday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.For further information, call 304-788-6901.