Loyal Jones Appalachian Center

05/21/2026

Art parade preparations are in motion! We are excited to take part in Berea's Interdependence Art Parade this year on July 5th at 6:00pm. Can you guess what Appalachian critter we are making?

05/07/2026

Friends, Today find ourselves honoring the life of Jane B. Stephenson.

In my time at Berea (this is Chris writing), I met Jane but never knew her well. What I have known is the joy of teaching Appalachian Literature for the New Opportunity School for Women (NOWS) here at Berea for the last ten years. At one time, Jane taught before me and Gurney taught after me. What I have known is how meaningful NOSW has been and continues to be to thousands of women. What I have known is how important NOSW has been for Berea student intern and for classes that did Service Learning with them. What I know is how much the stories of women's lives that Jane shared in her books have meant to others.

Thank you Jane, thank you for you love of women, our world, and the mountains.

05/03/2026

Friends, You may have heard, but last weekend Loyal’s daughter Carol Elizabeth Jones passed away. Here is a link to the beautiful memorial that her sister Susan Ellen Jones wrote: https://www.thenews-gazette.com/obituaries/2712,carol-elizabeth-jones. Holding all in love & light ~Chris

04/20/2026

Acclaimed, beloved poet Frank X Walker was the guest speaker in the ongoing Appalachian Review Reading Series on April 8. Walker was welcomed by a packed house here at the LJAC. He read from many of his books, including his latest, Load in Nine Times, which recently won the prestigious PEN/Voelker Award at the PEN America Literary Awards. Walker was introduced by Julianna Markert, who serves as a student worker at Appalachian Review.

04/17/2026

Spring fashion at LJAC!

Who else is loving this beautiful weather?

04/10/2026

Join us TODAY at 6pm for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and song as we celebrate the multiple women artists across Appalachia. We have a stellar cast of creatives lined up including two Berea College Students Randie Copeland (WV) and Tovah LaCour (OH). Other artists include:

Allison Thorpe (KY)
Angie Terry (OH)
Ariadne Macquarie (KY, NC, VA)
Cat Pleska (WV)
Celia Lawren (TN/CA)
Dana Wildsmith (GA)
Danielle Curry (IN/WV)
Danita Dodson (TN)
Flossie Hedges (KY)
Jean Dowdy (WV/FL)
Leigh Claire Schmidli (KY)
Libby Jones (KY)
Meredith Jensen (OH)
Pauletta Hansel (OH/KY)
Rachel Rosolina (KY/TN)
Roberta Schultz (NC)
Sarah Josephine Pennington (KY)
Silvia McClamrock (KY)
Susan Powers (PA)

This event is free and open to all! Light refreshments provided. We hope to see you there!

04/07/2026

Let’s thank Doug and everyone who helps keep Troublesome Creek Instruments going 💜

In eastern Kentucky, the heritage of folk and traditional music, rooted in instruments like guitars, mandolins and dulcimers, is deeply seated. There's an effort to capitalize on this rich culture while providing a fresh start for people in addiction recovery. Jeffrey Brown has the story for our loo...

04/06/2026

Join us in congratulating Lainey Vasquez, this year's recipient of the Julia and Norbert Stammer Appalachian Service Award!

Lainey, from Pikeville, Kentucky, has worked for the Appalachian Center for the past 3 years. She keeps LJAC bright and homie with crocheted afghans, and a myriad of handmade coasters. She shares the joy of crafting through weekly craft nights where she leads activities ranging from friendship bracelets, vision boards, to teaching people how to crochet. Her love of Appalachian literature is contagious and she is always highlighting the work of Appalachian Authors by maintaining LJAC's weekly quote of the week.

Lainey graduates this May and we will miss her dearly!