Applauding Appalachia tells the story of five artists from Southern Ohio who, in one way or another, have helped to preserve Appalachian culture and art.

Their individual stories are woven together in a 30-minute program that provides a picture of the diversity of their traditions and highlights their unique heritage.

All of the artists have spent the majority of their lives in Southern Ohio and remain active participants in their respective southern Ohio communities.

Applauding Appalachia Resource Guide (PDF)

Lloyd Moore is a retired lawyer and photographer from Ironton, Ohio. Moore served as Lawrence County prosecutor and ran a private practice for 36years. His dealings put him in touch with every stratum of Appalachian people. He began photographing the people he encountered and built a portfolio of over 4,000 portraits. In 2003 his work was displayed at the Kennedy Museum at Ohio University and published in a book, “Face to Face: The Photography of Lloyd Moore.”

Mike Gatherwright is a master woodcarver from Manchester, Ohio. Laid off from Dayton Power a week before his 30th service anniversary, he took up woodcarving to pass the time and quickly developed into a master carver of Shaker baskets and carousel horses. Together with his wife, Beulah, he runs “Shaker Inspired,” an arts and crafts business headquartered at their farm on the edge of Brown County.

Maxine Groves is descended from five generations of Appalachian families. She learned to knit, crochet, and quilt from her mother and grandmother. After a 25-year teaching career, she retired to the woods in Adams County near the Ohio River. She has become an accomplished quilter, leading workshops and giving individual lessons. Her students include everyone from Girl Scout troops to high school students.

Sandy Payne and Stan McFarland, a father-daughter duo that play traditional Appalachian music, are from Adams County. Sandy plays guitar and sings while Stan accompanies her on the fiddle.

The program is narrated by Omope Carter Daboiku, a traditional storyteller from Cincinnati. Born and raised in Ironton, Ohio, she considers herself an oral historian committed to carrying on the stories and memories of her family elders. Omope teaches various college courses and is involved with the Urban Appalachian Council – a non-profit group that promotes Appalachian culture.