Loyal Jones Appalachian Center

Loyal Jones Appalachian Center We are dedicated to a future in which Appalachian communities seek progress through democratic participation, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

In the summer of 1970, Berea College created the Appalachian Center. Early documents state its purpose:

* To give concentrated leadership to Berea’s Appalachian activities
* To stimulate student and scholarly interest
* To bring together existing outreach programs and to guide the creation of new services
* To relate Berea College’s efforts to those of other Appalachian institutions
* To serve th

e nation as a source of information about the Appalachian Region…. Berea College President Willis D. Weatherford pushed for the Center’s creation at the request of a faculty committee. It was the first college or university Appalachian Center. Now four decades into its mission, the Center teaches courses and serves as an umbrella for a group of programs that serve the campus community and the broader Appalachian region. The Appalachian Center is also home to many programs, and you can learn more about each one by visiting www.berea.edu/ac.

Art parade preparations are in motion! We are excited to take part in Berea's Interdependence Art Parade this year on Ju...
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.

Acclaimed, beloved poet Frank X Walker was the guest speaker in the ongoing Appalachian Review Reading Series on April 8...
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.

Spring fashion at LJAC! Who else is loving this beautiful weather?
04/17/2026

Spring fashion at LJAC!

Who else is loving this beautiful weather?

Join us TODAY at 6pm for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and song as we celebrate the multiple women artists across ...
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!

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

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

Address

205 North Main Street CPO 2166
Berea, KY
40404

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