Four Seasons of Central Kentucky [Video]
This fourth and final video in the Common Wealth of Kentucky Project series is a poem. The four seasons of central Kentucky reflect the vibrant diversity of the people who comprise this bluegrass region; they are the heart of it. Many arrived from elsewhere to join those who started here and stayed. As we traveled central and connected, painting, and collected stories, we found rich and common themes.
Listen to some of project participants as they talk about their connections to Kentucky, what they value, and why they call Kentucky home. And watch the project unfold as we prepare for our release of the Common Wealth of Kentucky book and culminating exhibition at LexArts Gallery in downtown Lexington starting August 22, 2022.
Many thanks to ALL of our 70 participants from across the state, representatives of this common wealth of Kentucky. The central Kentuckians in this video are: Maker's Mark's Bill Samuels, Jr., Thoroughbred horse racing trainer Brad Cox, Chef Ouita Michel of Holly Hill, Keeneland's President Shannon Arvin, 21C Museum Hotels co-founder Laura Lee Brown, former Lexington Mayor, KY Transportation Secretary, and President of Gray Construction Jim Gray, Former Vice-Mayor of Lexington and volunteer Isabel Yates, UK Opera Theater Director, Dr. Everett McCorvey, The Webb Company’s Woodford Webb, Sara Castanon, Mary Margaret Bell, and Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones.
We hope you feel a bit of the inspiration we have over the course of this Common Wealth of Kentucky Project.
Inspired by Jo Robertson, artist Kelly Brewer’s mother, her deep belief in humanity and love for all people, the Common Wealth of Kentucky Project explores and reveals the richness embodied in this beautiful state, the people who live here, and the common connections we have with one another. Artist Kelly Brewer, writer and digital storyteller Beth Pride, and advocate Jill Johnson traveled Kentucky painting and interviewing people from all walks of life resulting in an inspiring and powerful, multi-sensory exhibition and book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the portraits, Kentucky life paintings, and the book will benefit the Jo B. Robertson Foundation, helping Kentuckians in need.