Thank you Central Appalachia

Energy in Central Appalachia, 1860-2010

A long history of coal mining carries with it the unforgettable memories that bide families together and Central Appalachian people to their land.  In preservation of this rich heritage, we look forward to a new energy future which justifies citizen participation in energy production by keeping the profits local.

Miner Tributes, an Appalachian art project “in veneration of miners and coal mining communities.”

Central Appalachia has a certain sense of place that creeps into your bones, so that your marrow hums with history. An academic discourse cannot capture the passion of the people. It is in their eyes, their hands, their voices and their stories. The “Miner Tributes” series of exhibitions will share local stories through visual, musical and literary arts, with an emphasis on veneration of miners and coal mining communities.

Central Appalachia is at the heart of the energy industry. The true cost of our energy dependent society is poignantly felt in these communities. The tax on their land, health and liberty is underestimated in national discussions of the costs of extractive industries.  The exhibition’s title, “Miner Tributes,” includes energy scrip as a symbol of how these costs are non-refundable or transferable. It employs the history of the coal scrip to highlight how coal communities internalize the costs of energy production, and the need for the wealth produced by Central Appalachian resources to stay in the region. The exhibitions will raise money for a local charity in each respective community and will be part of a larger campaign to create jobs in Central Appalachia.

Artist Coal Journals complement the “Miners Tributes” series, as each artist will have the opportunity to record the steps of their creative process. At a base level the logs will account for materials employed, miles driven, and hours of electricity used. Artists are also encouraged to share their relationship with coal and how the awareness of their energy usage influences their end product. The exhibitions will showcase these artist journals along with an estimated figure of how much coal was used to produce each piece.

If you, as an artist, a community member, or a representative of an organization, are interested in participating in “Miner Tributes,” please contact: Kegan Refalo (304)205-0650 k.refalo@jobs-project.org