Reprint from Collections & Connections
Fall 1999, Vol. 4, No. 1

Well known Bowling Green artist, Delaire Rowe, is now serving as community artist-in-residence for "Expressing Kentucky," a year-long project underwritten by a grant from the Kentucky Arts Council. Designed to reach as many people around the region as possible, "Expressing Kentucky" includes six exhibits that will be on display at various sites around Bowling Green including a mural which volunteers recently completed at the Capitol Arts Center.

"Expressing Kentucky" is a collaborative project between the community artist in residence, project partners, and area community groups. Throughout the year-long project, Ms. Rowe will ask participants to reflect on the creative process and incorporate some of their responses into exhibit materials. WKYU-TV will videotape the artwork in these exhibits and use some of the footage in its "Main Street" and "Outlook" programs.

The first exhibits will feature artwork produced by Ms. Rowe, clients of Barren River Adult Day Care at Western Kentucky University, clubs affiliated with the Houchens Center, school children and teachers from throughout the region. All those interested will simultaneously participate in workshops and create artwork of their own, some of which will be added to existing exhibits. A new exhibit of art by Kentucky native, Joe Downing, will be the focal point for project activities in the Spring of 2000. Eventually, a traveling exhibit composed of artwork selected from all shows will tour the area.

In addition to the Kentucky Museum, project partners include the Capitol Arts Alliance, Very Special Arts Kentucky, Bowling Green Special Olympics, Barren River Adult Day Care at Western Kentucky University, the Houchens Center, WKYU-TV, Public Theater of Kentucky and Girls Inc.

All area groups and organizations are invited to participate in "Expressing Kentucky." For more information or to sign up for workshops, call Delaire Rowe at 745-6082, or email her at delaire.rowe@wku.edu.

~Sandy Staebell