artZine

We are just one week away from Art Zine – Olive Hill. Our theme for the February is ‘LOVE’.
I wanted to share something I discovered and LOVE about Olive Hill.

This 150 foot long mural is in the heart of Olive Hill. It’s on the main road, in front of the Old High School-now home to the Carter County Public Library and Center for Arts & Education. The mural was designed by Larry Carroll. As part of the Workforce Investment Act, through the Federal Department of Labor, the local youth were HIRED to paint the mural between 2002-2006.  Over time the mural has faded, but members of the community recently raised money and volunteers to restore the mural in front of the Art Center/Library.
I LOVE public art-especially when the community come together to take care of it–and when youth get paid real-life work experience working in art.

The Library is on the 3rd floor of this building, and you can get a better look at the mural when you visit Olive Hill for our monthly Art Zine activity, (more details about that here) but here’s a close up photo of the mural for those who can’t make it this time.

The Zine you are reading is a collaborative work by Artists from different small towns in Kentucky. We met on January 12, 2018 at the Rowan County Public Library in Morehead, KY, and created work around the theme:
PASSAGES

Because of winter weather advisory and warnings, our turn out was smaller than normal. However, A brave group-most who lived close to Morehead-Were able to come. One of the best things about smaller groups, is that we had more time to get to know each other, and to hear everyone’s remarkable stories.. We all felt like it was well worth venturing out into the winter weather.

I met Alice Reynolds for the first time at this zine meet up. She is a music teacher from Morehead. At 91 years old (she gave me permission to share her age) she is still enjoying life and playing music. Many years ago, before the Morehead State University existed, Rowan County had what was called the “moonlight school’ It taught adults how to read and write at night. Alice’s father was a postman, and she remembers part of his job (in addition to delivering mail) was to read the mail to some of the people he delivered to, because everyone did not know how to read and write back then.

Kay Schafer, is an artist from Morehead, KY. Her poem about becoming a senior citizen captures her bright and positive personality. Kay was also a big help in organizing the ArtZine in Morehead. Thanks, Kay.

Melany Workman was the youngest of 11 children, and grew up in this 5 room house in Rowan county. She now owns and operates the Cave Run Manor in Morehead, and is a great caretaker for her residents.

Melissa Barker is an artist and teacher from Grahn, Ky. Her drawing is the first art she has made since the recent loss of her father. Because she has participtaed many times, we are going to visit Melissa’s neighborhood for February’s ArtZine. More details soon.

I have known Helen Chadwell for many years, the first time we met was while she was a volunteer for the Morhead Art Guild Art Show. More recently, she has visited my studio, and we have made prints together. Her drawing/poem is about the passages of life.

Ken Swinson wanted to illustrate the idea that we can overcome the obstacles we encounter in life…with a little help from our friends. Thanks everyone for being a part of my journey!

I am working on an art project where I visit a different small town each month. The idea of this project is to encourage artists, writers and people of all walks of life to know each other, through visiting each others’ communities and making art together.

Last tuesday, we met for our FOURTH Art Zine, and met in Robertson County, KY at their Public Library. Here is what we made together:

You can click any of the images for more details and a full album of all the zine’s hand painted covers.

Ken Swinson

Mari Leet

Velda Smiley

Jennifer Wert

Lauri Aultman

Jennifer Gleason

Barbara Morgan

Jim Lally

Carol Mitchell

Genda Highfield

credit page

you can download and print your own copy of this zine through this link:

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtHTtTOFjtUToQaL6vXQp_Cq6ce8

You can also view share and download our album (including the 15 handpainted covers) here: December ArtZine – Mt. Olivet- MIRACLES

You can also follow our Art Zine facebook page for more information about future projects. 

For November’s Art Zine Meet up, a group of artists and writers from Kentucky and Ohio met at the Lewis County Public Library in Vanceburg, Ky. Our Theme for November was GRATITUDE.

If you’d like to print and make your own paper copy of the zine, you can download a print ready pdf of our zine here: click here to download printable PDF

We painted 17 different covers. Many are featured above. If you want to view or download a high resolution copy of any of the covers, you can visit this album: click here to view/download the covers.

Or view the zine below- click on any of the images to view/download a full size copy of the page-Click on the artist’s name for more information about the artist (when available)

Rosemary Topie

Ken Swinson

Melissa Barker

Kelly Hartley

Sue Gorman

Courtney Spear

Gayle D. Massie

Vicki Tichenor

Jamey Kreger

Patty S. Toller

Mari Russell