Events and Exhibits
The Appalachian Heritage Project complements the wide range of humanities-based education and activities at Pellissippi State through quarterly programming and scheduled exhibits that explore the Appalachian region and its rich history, diverse population and geography, and vibrant culture.
Appalachian Showcase Winter Exhibit
This yearly exhibit features items such as art, textiles, fossils, furniture, clothing, photographs, artifacts, and music.
As part of the Appalachian Heritage Project’s Arts Program, the AHP and the Strawberry Plains Campus sponsored two hikes to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for faculty, staff, and students to spend time in nature, learn about regional history, and engage in photography.
Short interviews with students, faculty, and staff sharing stories, recollections, and thoughts about their experiences of Appalachia.
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This event explores regional culture and features keynote speakers who present and discuss Appalachia's rich history including music, religion, social customs, medicine, archaeology, law, and food presentation.
For this event, the Appalachian Heritage Project partnered with the Blount County Public Library to host an evening of Appalachian music and storytelling with legendary musicians and activists Sparky and Rhonda Rucker.
Musicians and educators Sean McCollough, Kelle Jolly, and Chris Durman discuss the life and impact of internationally acclaimed musician, painter, storyteller, and Campbell County, Tennessee native Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong (1909-2003).
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Appalachian Arts Summer Program
This event includes hands-on activities relating to Appalachia such as quilting, basket-weaving, nature photography, and cooking.
This hike to the historic Walkers Sisters Cabin and Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse provided opportunities for students to take photographs and learn about native plants and early 19th century life and education in the mountains.
This hike to the historic John Oliver cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park allowed students to spend a day in the Smoky Mountains to take photographs and learn about Cades Cove history from Dr. Steve Dunkin, adjunct history professor and vice president of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club.
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Appalachia Speaks Fall Symposium
This event focuses on regional literature and languages and includes presentations as well as workshops that explore topics such as writing, storytelling, folklore, poetry, and Appalachian oral traditions.
The Young Creative Writer’s Workshop is a free, daylong creative writing workshop designed for area high school students and all Pellissippi students, but open to the community, with workshops in fiction, poetry, songwriting, publication and craft-focused/genre specific topics. The 8th Annual workshop in 2022 was sponsored by the Appalachian Heritage Project in collaboration with associate professor of English Patty Ireland and her Young Creative Writers Student Club.
This panel discussion between Dr. Chris Green, Director of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College, and Pellissippi State Community College Associate Professors of English, Candice Dendy and Patty Ireland, explores the power and influence of telling stories in Appalachia, particularly as they relate to the history and diversity of the region, as well as what it means to be Appalachian and how those identities have influenced the panelists' work with students.
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