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Tessa Colley, Mother of Three, Photographer/Artist; Haysi, Virginia:
“First lady to graduate from high school in my family. And, I did it with a 2 year old on my hip at 17. Never give up on life! But remember, your eyes can't be open all the time... Occasionally you'll need to shut 'em, to rest.”
Jeff Chapman-Crane, Artist and Appalachian Activist; Eolia, Kentucky:
“I’ve lived my whole life in Appalachia, the first 28 years or so in east Tennessee and the past 33 years in eastern Kentucky. It's not an easy place to live, but then I've never taken the easy way, don't think you learn much by following the path of least resistance.”
“Appalachia is a great place for an artist to grow up, with all its complexities, contradictions and contrasts. I hope the art I've created over 30 plus years helps shed some light on our collective experience and makes us aware of the important contributions Appalachian people have made and continue to make to the cultural life of our country and the world.”
Glen Simpson; Retired, Norfolk Southern Railroad: Musicianer, Old Time and New Time; From Williamson, West Virginia, Currently Residing in Hardy, Kentucky:
“I was listening to music before I was potty trained, I was 10 years old. Just joking, but I have been told that at the age of 6 I would perform on 2nd Avenue in Williamson, WV in front of G.C. Murphy's doing my Elvis imitation. I would sing Hound Dog and shimmy and shake, probably embarrassing my family but I was a ham that couldn't be cured. Family and music are my two loves and that will never change!”
Cheyenne Harris, Welder Fabricator and Division of Forestry Fire Fighter, Currently Lives in Lexington, Kentucky, From Isom, Kentucky:
“As I sit and think of where all I have been and things that I have done or yet will do I still cherish the opportunities that I had being born and raised in, to me the most beautiful place on earth, Appalachia. Growing up in the mountains was the best childhood I could have ever experienced. It was simply amazing I had it all and didn’t even know it. I am truly blessed to be a hillbilly.”
