RCPL Art Collection (2010–current)

Carolyn Adams is a wife and mother of two (2) sons who has worked a variety of "regular" jobs while striving to make time for creating art. She is a member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, the Lexington Art League, and a founding member of the Cave Run Arts Association. She maintains a studio space at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Christine Barker worked to portray the people of Appalachia with dignity, and its land with respect. She lived, studied, and traveled throughout the world before returning to Kentucky to live her dream. She was the founder and owner of Pine Grove Framing & Gallery of Fine Art, as well as a founding member of the Morehead Art Guild. Ms. Barker died in 2010.

A member of the art faculty at Morehead State University since the 1980s, David Bartlett was born in Minnesota and raised in Wisconsin. As a member of the Peace Corps, he taught high school in Micronesia before receiving his first photography training at a creative arts workshop in New Haven, Connecticut. He received numerous regional and national awards for his work. Mr. Bartlett died in 2021.

A member of the art faculty at Morehead State University since the 1980s, David Bartlett was born in Minnesota and raised in Wisconsin. As a member of the Peace Corps, he taught high school in Micronesia before receiving his first photography training at a creative arts workshop in New Haven, Connecticut. He received numerous regional and national awards for his work. Mr. Bartlett died in 2021.

A member of the art faculty at Morehead State University since the 1980s, David Bartlett was born in Minnesota and raised in Wisconsin. As a member of the Peace Corps, he taught high school in Micronesia before receiving his first photography training at a creative arts workshop in New Haven, Connecticut. He received numerous regional and national awards for his work. Mr. Bartlett died in 2021.

With a degree in biological sciences and a history in microbiology, Linda Brewer became a nontraditional art student at Morehead State University. She sometimes uses photography and computer-assistive techniques for her print-making projects. Linda has participated in juried and non-juried art shows throughout Kentucky and Ohio.

With a degree in biological sciences and a history in microbiology, Linda Brewer became a nontraditional art student at Morehead State University. She sometimes uses photography and computer-assistive techniques for her print-making projects. Linda has participated in juried and non-juried art shows throughout Kentucky and Ohio.

A self-taught photographer, Priscilla Gotsick is a wife and mother who holds two (2) master's degrees and previously worked for Morehead State University. After taking a private painting class, she began to study art more seriously. Priscilla exhibited locally and regionally before moving to California.

Seth Green is originally from Utah, where he received his bachelor's is art from Southern Utah University. He received his master's in ceramics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Currently an assistant professor at Morehead State University, Green's work focuses on spirituality and is influenced by religious symbols in architecture.

Seth Green is originally from Utah, where he received his bachelor's is art from Southern Utah University. He received his master's in ceramics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Currently an assistant professor at Morehead State University, Green's work focuses on spirituality and is influenced by religious symbols in architecture.

After retiring together, Sandra Gullett moved with her husband to Morehead, where he had been born and raised. She holds a master's degree in art education from the University of Cincinnati, and taught art classes in Ohio until her retirement. She is a longtime member of the Morehead Art Guild and Cave Run Arts Association. Sandra enjoys both attending and teaching art classes, and says the abundant nature of Kentucky is her inspiration.

After retiring together, Sandra Gullett moved with her husband to Morehead, where he had been born and raised. She holds a master's degree in art education from the University of Cincinnati, and taught art classes in Ohio until her retirement. She is a longtime member of the Morehead Art Guild and Cave Run Arts Association. Sandra enjoys both attending and teaching art classes, and says the abundant nature of Kentucky is her inspiration.

Following a childhood spent in Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, and Colorado, Bet Ison and her husband Cecil settled on his family's farm in Rowan County. With graduate degrees in anthropology and library science, Bet has been an archaeologist and a librarian. She has completed over 50 unique quilts.

Following a childhood spent in Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, and Colorado, Bet Ison and her husband Cecil settled on his family's farm in Rowan County. With graduate degrees in anthropology and library science, Bet has been an archaeologist and a librarian. She has completed over 50 unique quilts.

David Kemp's career as an artist has taken many twists and turns, from his life as a student at Ball State University through various occupations, and finally back to painting. He is currently pursuing development of a watercolor technique that will allow him to define his signature style by applying it to acrylics, as well.

David Kemp's career as an artist has taken many twists and turns, from his life as a student at Ball State University through various occupations, and finally back to painting. He is currently pursuing development of a watercolor technique that will allow him to define his signature style by applying it to acrylics, as well.

Before his retirement, Allen Lake worked as a professor of biology at Morehead State University. He pursued an eclectic array of artistic interests, from visual media to music and collecting. Mr. Lake died in 2011.

Linda Lowe earned her masters in library science from the University of Kentucky, and worked as a cataloger at Camden-Carroll Library of Morehead State University until her retirement. She enjoys photography, crafting, and quilting, and has contributed extensively to the holdings of Morehead State University's Appalachian Collection.

Merrill Lowe was born in Big Caney Creek, near the border of Elliott and Rowan Counties. She and her husband raised five children in the Elliottville area while she worked at sewing factories in Morehead and Olive Hill, and in housekeeping at St. Claire Regional Medical Center.

"Sherenshnitte" is the term Carol Maxwell uses to describe her beautiful paper cuttings. She developed her own style of cutting, using both scissors and knives, and says she attempts to make new shapes each time she cuts. Each piece is an original, one-of-a-kind work drawn from memory and imagination. Carol began exhibiting in the 1980s, and her work is owned by numerous private and corporate collectors in Europe, Canada, and the U.S.

Born in Lexington, Sam McKinney spent his childhood in Fleming-Neon in southeastern Kentucky. After completing a bachelors and masters in art from Morehead State University, he and his family made their home in Morehead. Sam has been a figurative freelance painter and sculptor for over 30 years, and oils, watercolors, and sculptures in bronze, stainless steel, and acrylic are nationally collected.

A faculty member at Morehead State University's Department of Art and Design, Gary Mesa-Gaido teaches digital art, animation, painting, and foundations. His works include sculptures made of wood and/or aluminum painted with encaustic pigment mixed with beeswax, and large-scale panoramic photographs assembled from digital montages. Gary has participated in over a hundred juried and invitational exhibitions at the regional, national, and international levels.

A lover of creativity and mixed media, Jerry Mifflin has always enjoyed working with wood. He has developed his own art form called "flat panel intarsia," which he teaches online. Jerry has shown in numerous galleries and exhibitions, and his works have appeared in various publications.

Gina Boyd Mullins was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and made Kentucky her home in 1963. Her artistic training began with no formal training beyond a couple of workshops, and the intent of her work is to portray each subject in a way that conveys subtle personality.

Gina Boyd Mullins was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and made Kentucky her home in 1963. Her artistic training began with no formal training beyond a couple of workshops, and the intent of her work is to portray each subject in a way that conveys subtle personality.

Currently an assistant professor and gallery director at Morehead State University, Jennifer Reis is both an arts professional and practicing artist. Besides conducting workshops and lectures, she has served on numerous boards and committees to advance the arts. An actively exhibiting and award-winning artist, Jennifer believes in the power of education and the arts to positively affect individual lives, independent of age or environment.

Anita Rummage is a professional artist who specializes in two-dimensional works. Most of her artwork is by commission, and she has published over a dozen limited edition prints. A longtime resident of Rowan County, Anita enjoys a wide variety of art media and has served as president of the Morehead Art Guild and on the founding board of directors at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Retired and living in Morehead, Brenda Salyers loved drawing and colors from an early age. She attended Eastern Kentucky University, Central Kentucky College, and the University of Kentucky, where she worked as production manager of the printing, publishing, and graphic arts department. Brenda enjoys working in all media, but oil is her passion. She is currently working on painting cityscapes of all 120 of Kentucky's counties.

Born in Fulton, Missouri, Joe Sartor received his bachelors of art from Centenary College of Louisiana and his masters in art from Missouri University. He joined the faculty at Morehead State University in 1968 and retired in 2000. Joe maintains a studio space at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Born in Fulton, Missouri, Joe Sartor received his bachelors of art from Centenary College of Louisiana and his masters in art from Missouri University. He joined the faculty at Morehead State University in 1968 and retired in 2000. Joe maintains a studio space at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Born in Fulton, Missouri, Joe Sartor received his bachelors of art from Centenary College of Louisiana and his masters in art from Missouri University. He joined the faculty at Morehead State University in 1968 and retired in 2000. Joe maintains a studio space at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Kay Schafer was raised in Lexington and is retired from Morehead State University. She has been a member of the Morehead Art Guild since the 1970s and is a member of the Cave Run Arts Association. Kay has participated in numerous regional exhibitions, and maintains a studio space at the Rowan County Arts Center.

Born and raised in Morehead, Sara Stone graduated from Morehead State University. She enjoys black and white film and digital photography, and is known for high-contrast photos meant to be true representations of Appalachia, evoking feelings of Kentuckian pride and nostalgia. Her donation to this collection was made in honor of Emily Stone.

Stephen Tirone retired from Morehead State University in 2009, after serving as a longtime professor of sculpture and ceramics. He received his masters in art from the University of Wisconsin, and has produced many significant public sculptures.

Before returning to Rowan County, Kathryn Wright lived in Colorado, where she served as art director for Quilters' Newsletter. She earned her bachelors and masters in studio art from Morehead State University, and has been making quilts since 2004.