Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Pike County Visual Arts Club Inspires Young Artists to Create State Fair Projects

Author: Kristy Porter

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Pike County Visual Arts Club Inspires Young Artists to Create State Fair Projects

Describe the Issue or Situation.Youth, particularly those in rural areas, often have limited access to structured, skill-building opportunities in the visual arts. While creativity is abundant, many young people lack the resources, instruction, and support needed to explore artistic techniques or prepare competitive projects for the Kentucky State Fair.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).To address the need for accessible arts education and help yo

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Myers Towers Art Classes

Author: Kristy Porter

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Describe the Issue or Situation.Myers Towers is a 200 unit, 11 story high-rise subsidized housing complex in downtown Pikeville that houses individuals who are majority low-income, elderly, and have limited mobility.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).In 2022, Pike County Extension Community Arts, in cooperation with The Appalachian Center for the Arts (The APP) and the Pike County Housing Authority, received the Arts Access Assistance: Creative Ag

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"Color Your World" Library Programming allows for Essential Skill Development

Author: Allison Denny

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

For young children, making art is a sensory exploration activity. They enjoy the feeling of a crayon moving across paper and seeing a blob of colored paint grow larger. Kamii and DeVries (1993) suggested that exploring materials is very important because it is through exploration that children build a knowledge of the objects in the world around them. Therefore, it is critical to provide unique and "outside of the box" opportunities and methods for children to create and explore with.K

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Merging Rivers Pottery Studio

Author: Anne Stephens

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Since 2023, two Greenup Arts Extension artisan volunteers have been gathering interest in establishing a local pottery studio. Barriers were start-up equipment and materials cost, classroom space, independent-work space, and storage space in a location that was dedicated to pottery work that must support the high heat of a kiln and the messy nature of working with clay. 60+ names with contact information was collected at the Greenup County Farmers Market and Handcrafted Weekend at Greenbo Lake S

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Art for Wellbeing

Author: Asya Jarrell

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Describe the Issue or SituationIn today's fast-paced world, many individuals struggle to find time for relaxation, self-expression, and mental wellness. Rural communities in particular may have limited access to structured opportunities for stress relief and creativity. Recognizing this need, the Martin County Cooperative Extension sought to offer a unique experience that supports emotional wellness and encourages community connection through artistic expression.Describe the Outreach or Educ

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Beginner Dulcimer Workshop series

Author: Anne Stephens

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Kentucky Revised Statute 2.103 named the Appalachia Dulcimer as the official state instrument on June 21, 2001. Rail City Dulcimer Society has been an active, volunteer led, community club with tri-state membership, based in Greenup County since 2003. They meet weekly for rehearsals at the Greenup County Public Library, Flatwoods branch. Greenup Arts and Rail City have partnered on multiple events over the past fifteen years and many of the club members have become involved in Extension programm

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Painting Heritage: Barn Quilt Classes Spark Community Pride and Creativity

Author: Kimberly Thomas

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

During fall 2024 and spring 2025, the Taylor County Family and Consumer Science Agent, Kimberly Thomas, hosted 10 Barn Quilt classes at the Taylor County Extension Office. Sixty-eight enthusiastic participants attended the classes and created their own individual works of art. Barn quilts, which can reflect family heritage such as farm families' crops, favorite sports teams, or blocks from treasured handmade quilts, were beautifully painted and finished under Kimberly's expert guidance.U

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Alice Fae Weiland- Weaving Art, Community, and Legacy

Author: Cortney Moses

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

For the past 15 years, Alice Fae Weiland has been the heart and soul of the basketry program at the Extension Community Arts Center. A master basket maker, teacher, and community leader, Alice has dedicated thousands of hours to preserving and sharing the timeless art of basket weaving with people of all ages across the county and region—entirely as a volunteer.Alice’s impact is profound. Through the Extension Community Arts program, she has led basket classes not only at the Extensi

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Paper Trails Scrabooking Workshop

Author: Asya Jarrell

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

In the current fast paced and digital world we live in, many individuals lack creative outlets that promote self-expression, reduce stress, and encourage connection. “Paper Trails” is a monthly scrapbooking workshop that blends creativity, mindfulness, and storytelling through memories. Using techniques like collage, mixed media, and journaling, it helps participants express personal stories while building artistic skills and community. We have partnered with the 21st Centu

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Greenup County Quilt Guild

Author: Anne Stephens

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

The Greenup County Quilt Guild (GCQG) was established in 1983. Since that time, they have only been "loosely" affiliated with the Greenup County Extension Office. There were members who had been in leadership positions for many years who had an unwillingness to partner with Extension for leadership and administrative support. After the success, partnership, and growth of the Greenbo Quilt Show into a holistic event: Handcrafted Weekend, the Greenup County Community Arts Agent was invit

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Sashiko for Starter Stitches

Author: Susan Miller

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

When asking adult participants who have attended Boone County Extension Community Arts programming what else they would like to learn, a recurring request has been an introductory program on embroidery or hand-stitching. Individuals expressed interest in learning both basic stitches for mending as well as stitches that are decorative.On February 26th, 2025, Community Arts Agent Susan Miller presented a two-hour, beginner level hand-stitching program focused on sashiko, a traditional Japanese emb

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Whitley County Ceramics Program: Crafting Skills, Cultivating Well-Being

Author: Cortney Moses

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Whitley County Extension Community Arts identified a growing demand for pottery programs, particularly in hand-building techniques. Community members sought accessible, beginner-friendly classes that would allow for creativity and personal expression. Recognizing this need, the Community Arts agent partnered with a newly relocated ceramics artist, Catlyn, to develop an eight-week hand-building curriculum. This program aimed to teach foundational techniques while fostering a supportive, creative

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Handmade Greeting Cards

Author: Susan Miller

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about the impacts of loneliness and isolation on overall public health. (Murthy, V.H., Holt-Lunstad, J., et al. (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation 2023: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.) Social connectedness impacts our physical and mental health, as well as general feelings of life fulfillment. Two recommendations for increasing social connectedness put forth in

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Brush 'n Brunch Program

Author: Kristy Porter

Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Pike County community needs assessment identified the need for more cross-program collaborations as well as programs that engage senior citizens and teach new skills. Community Arts (CA) and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program areas wanted to address these issues as well as introduce each other’s audiences to examples of the other’s programming. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Pike Cou

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College Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

College Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

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