For the past seven months, 40 women from five communities in Southern West Virginia have been participating in a Photovoice project to “tell the story” of their communities. In September of 2008, participants were given digital cameras and began taking pictures of the strengths and assets of their communities, the unique character of life in the region, and the problems and issues of concern in their areas. The five Photovoice groups have been meeting every month to share their photographs, discuss common themes, create “photostories” (photographs with written narratives), and develop project ideas to address problems they have identified. The purpose of this project is to increase civic engagement in rural coalfield communities and give voice to residents’ concerns and ideas for change.

In the coming weeks, each group will hold an exhibit and presentation in their community to share their photostories and project ideas with the public and elected officials. Selected photostories from each of the forty participants will also be exhibited at the Clay Center from April 15-19, with a public reception on Friday, April 17 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.

The five Photovoice groups are located in the following communities:

• Big Coal River Area of Boone County (Prenter, Seth, Racine, Ashford communities)

• Pond Fork Area of Boone County (Wharton/Bim/Van/Bandytown/Twilight communities)

• Lenore Area of Mingo County

• Harts Area of Lincoln County

• Upper Kanawha Valley of Kanawha County (Cabin Creek and Winifrede communities)

UPCOMING PHOTOVOICE EVENTS:

Monday, March 30, 6-9 pm Sherman High School Cafeteria (Seth, WV) – Big Coal River Photovoice

(Boone County)

• Public exhibit and presentation by the Big Coal River Photovoice women. Presentation will include a discussion of community improvement ideas and projects. Approximately 116 “photostories” (photograph with narrative) created by the Photovoice group members will be displayed around the cafeteria. Light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, April 2, 6-9 pm Lenore K-8 Cafeteria (Lenore, WV)– Lenore Area Photovoice

(Mingo County)

• Public exhibit and presentation by the Lenore Area Photovoice women. Presentation will include a discussion of community improvement ideas and projects. Approximately 55 “photostories” (photograph with narrative) created by the Photovoice group members will be displayed around the cafeteria. Light refreshments will be served.

Friday, April 17, 5-9 pm, The Clay Center Art Museum (Charleston, WV) – Southern West Virginia Photovoice Exhibit and Public Reception

• Public exhibit with over 100 “photostories” (photograph with narrative) from the forty Photovoice participants, across the five participating communities. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on display from April 15-April 19.

Tuesday, April 21, 6-9 pm Chapmanville Middle School (Chapmanville, WV) – Harts Area Photovoice (Lincoln County participants, exhibit in Logan County)

• Public exhibit and presentation by the Harts area Photovoice women. Presentation will include a discussion of community improvement ideas and projects. Approximately 70 “photostories” (photograph with narrative) created by the Photovoice group members will be displayed around the cafeteria. Light refreshments will be served.

T.B.A. in the second half of April: Photovoice Exhibits and Presentations for the following Photovoice groups:

• Pond Fork Area of Boone County (communities of Van, Bandytown, Twilight, Bim, and Wharton)

• Upper Kanawha Valley of Kanawha County (communities of Cabin Creek and Winifrede)