Art of the Rural

"Hannibal's Invisibles is more than a book. It is an invitation to know us as we truly were. As Congressmen John Lewis, a standard-bearer of the civil rights movement and of equity in this country, said, ‘The movement without storytelling is like the birds without wings.’” -G. Faye Dant, artist and author of Hannibal's Invisibles and the Executive Director of Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center Congratulations to G. Faye Dant and Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center on a fantastic gathering late last month for the launch of Hannibal’s Invisibles! We were honored to be part of the celebration of this outstanding publication that shares the story of the Black community of Hannibal, MO, with hundreds of vintage photographs collected by Dant and Hannibal residents. In Hannibal’s Invisibles, hear first-hand accounts from those who survived enslavement, faced racism after emancipation, endured Jim Crow, and contributed to the triumphs of the civil rights movement. These are the stories of Black doctors, entrepreneurs, and teachers who helped uplift the community, and remembrances of the countless individuals who gave richness and meaning to Hannibal’s everyday life. The vintage photographs and historical documents collected here are a celebration of these resilient people who built and sustained this corner of the Midwest, despite the immense obstacles they met at every turn. Get your copy through Belt Publishing, independent booksellers through Bookshop.org, or major retailers. https://lnkd.in/eArJMTf7

For 10 years, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) has shown that arts create the conditions to open minds, listen, and overcome bias. Today, we are excited to launch a new opportunity to support artists to do this work in their own communities, in partnership with the Creative Change Coalition, a new national coalition (led by Springboard for the Arts) of place-based organizations that center people, creativity, and equity working together to create a stronger ecosystem for communities and artists. "Artists Respond: Community, Culture, and Commonality in the Commonwealth" will offer grants for up to ten artists and/or teams to develop creative work that addresses rural-urban connection, interdependence, or solidarity in Kentucky. We aim for this work to uplift the power of arts and culture to address problems and combat a national narrative that too often centers on division and divides, especially in election years. Applications close on July 22. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, visit the application at https://lnkd.in/eW-cd5aV

📰 Hot off the press! Read our latest issue of the Broadsheet newsletter to learn more about what we've been up to so far this summer, and learn about upcoming gatherings & opportunities from the field. Read & subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/dJ9XYvC7

Learn about the transformative impact of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX)! A partnership between Art of the Rural and Appalshop, Inc, this creative leadership program strengthens professional and intercultural competencies while building connections across racial, economic and geographic divides. Since its start in 2014, RUX has hosted eight cohorts in 13 communities, and has since expanded to a network of almost 300 Kentuckians and Minnesotans from all backgrounds, including artists, educators, farmers, elected officials, entrepreneurs, nurses, and more. 🎨🩺📚 🤝 From connecting diverse leaders to 💬 fostering community dialogue, learn how non-profit organizations around the country are bridging divides to make a difference and building stronger local communities. 📰 Read more in a recent article from The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/ehyUYesT

Thank you to our friends at the McKnight Foundation for their enduring support for Art of the Rural and the Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) over the years. We can't wait to continue our collaborations!

Earlier this week, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) was featured in The New York Times! Thanks to everyone who has already commented and shared (thanks, President Obama!). We are grateful that this article begins to tell our decade-long story of collaborative work bridging difference & distance across our Commonwealth. Today, we ask you to make RUX accessible to more Kentuckians by donating & sustaining our work. Head to kyrux.org/donate to learn more and give. Thank you for your support - and your commitment to Kentucky’s shared future! Read the article without paywall: https://lnkd.in/edyKjQnk

Join the Minnesota Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) for Coffee & Connection this Friday, June 14, from 9-10am Central! Coffee & Connection is an online series for anyone wanting to grow social capital and cultivate relationships across racial, economic and geographic divides. Register & attend via Zoom: https://lnkd.in/ePvyegyT

Join us on Saturday, June 8, from 6:00 - 8:00pm Central for the “Hakikta” exhibition closing event & artist talk with Joseph Allen at Winona County Historical Society! RSVP on Facebook: https://lnkd.in/e4eskgwZ Hakikta (“to look back” in Dakota) presents an overview of the thirty-year career of Joseph J. Allen, whose photographs are celebrated for their engagement with Native land and people. Learn more about Joseph and the exhibition: https://lnkd.in/eyd3cqYz

Join us with our friends at Engage Winona and celebrate the first-ever edition of the Spillway Stories magazine this coming Friday, June 7! The gallery opening of Spillway photos and art begins at 5:00pm, with editions of the Spillway Stories 2024 publication available. RSVP on Facebook: https://lnkd.in/edEKxcjT We look forward to honoring the remarkable creators and change makers behind this year's Spillway with you. Let's come together to celebrate their ingenuity, their vision, and the impact they create in our communities. Spillway Stories are brought to you by Engage Winona and Art of the Rural, with support from the Chicago Community Foundation. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

We are excited & grateful to welcome Thessaloniki-based choreographer Meryl Zaytoun Murman during her 2024 McKnight International Choreographer Residency! Our friends Sharon Mansur & The Cedar Tree Project will host Meryl in Winona, MN, throughout June. Save the dates for the following events! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gn5CxUk2 June 12, 6-7pm - Guided nature walk with Meryl at Prairie Island Campground with PIC Director of Operations & Programming Anne Conway June 18, 7pm - Wayfinding - A creative conversation and informal dance short film screening with Meryl, Sharon Mansur, and Leila Awadallah at Winona Arts Center. The films will explore their shared Arab/SWANA heritage, gender, sexuality, and diasporic bodies. This free event is co-sponsored by Art of the Rural. Registrations strongly encouraged: https://lnkd.in/egy4gpTZ June 25 & 26 - Premiere of site-specific outdoor performance at Prairie Island Campground with Winona-based dance and interdisciplinary artists, embracing the beautiful natural setting along the Mississippi River banks at sunset.