Bluegrass Transplants
September-October 2019

Curatorial Statement

The story of a person’s life begins somewhere. When we encounter others we meet them where we find them, not where they came from. But yet, in a way, we do meet their past: in their ascents, their foods, their senses of humor, history and certainly their art.
  
Like so many others here in the Bluegrass we, the curators of this exhibition, are transplants. Moving here from other places has precipitated a change in the very makeup of who we are. We have not simply adapted to our new surroundings or tried to “do as the natives do”. Rather, the Bluegrass has become us and we it. We are changed, and it is a fascinating journey. 

The artists in this exhibition have come from other regions, states and even countries. Some have called the Bluegrass home for years while others have been here less than a month. All of them have unique views of their new home. The Bluegrass, with its modernity, old frontier history and Appalachian heritage, presents a unique challenge to the outsider. Here you can experience the greatest hospitality and genuine caring, yet always bear the subtle undertone of “other”. 

The idea of a Bluegrass Transplants exhibition was born of a desire to probe this juxtaposition through a singular representative collection of the art by those that have chosen to build their lives here. What can both native and traveler learn about the Bluegrass through the work of these participating artists who share a  transplanted experience? 

This diverse group of artists has contributed works completed before and after their relocation. They are on different missions with their work. Some are exploring a particular idea or concept, while others their sojourning experiences. Some have relocated and created in search of healing and wholeness. 
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As you engage with these works try to see yourself in a new place, unfamiliar and foreign. What would you notice? What would you create? What parts of you would begrudgingly or willingly change or even die? What parts would desperately cling to the familiar, to the life you new? 

The Bluegrass region of Kentucky is a fantastic place filled with wonderful people from every walk of life. We offer here an opportunity for you to see the Bluegrass in a different light, through the eyes of ambassadors from elsewhere;  to appreciate the depth of the contribution of those who have chosen to call the Bluegrass home; to take to heart what these works say about us.

Participating Artists

Amalia Galdona Broche
Ana Maldonado-Coomer
Arwen Donahue
Betsy Diamond
Callie Denham
Cathy Vigor
Ciara LeRoy
Colin Doherty
Crayton Ronso
Dan Solberg
David Fromke
Heidi Neumann
Helene Steene
Joanne Hope Skiles Couch
Lakshimi Sriaman
Leah Naomi
Mark Ratzlaff
Michael Mau
Mike Mankel
Mikey Winsor
Nancy Hall
Robert Hendrickson
Ronald Gosses
Samantha Jean Moore
Sarah Horrar
Sarah Lund
Shaena Neal
Shirley Mason
Steph Barker
Susan Isabel Dworkin
Tara Modjeski
Timothy Moyer
Victor Palomino
Yolantha Harris Pace

Gallery of Images

Exhibition Sponsors​