Artifacts & Exhibits Studio

The Appalachian Center Artifacts & Exhibits Studio supports the mission of Berea College and

the Appalachian Center through a three-part program.

First, the A&E Studio helps teach the campus and its visitors about Appalachia. The Studio produces an annual program of exhibits in several campus locations. The varied and ever-changing set of experiences provides an overview of Appalachia, introduces issues facing the region, and engages special topics and stories.

Second, the A&E Studio maintains and makes available a collection of artifacts to support teaching and research on Appalachia. The Appalachian Artifacts Collection contains nearly 3,000 objects documenting life in the region. Artifact collections highlights include:

• Mountain domestic life, ca. 1850-1940;
• Regional craft traditions, especially textiles, pottery and woodworking;
• Stereotypes of Appalachian people; and
• Berea College history

Third, the A&E Studio has an innovative program involving undergraduate students in working with artifacts as sources of evidence and exhibitions as a mode of academic discourse.