ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS NOW
November 2025
Appalachian Heart
Happy holidays from us at the Appalachian heART! Per usual, we've been busy enriching our community in the arts, and are excited to share opportunities to get involved with you.
Whether you get to enjoy the arts with us or not, we hope you enjoy time with your family, and, just maybe, you can take the arts with you as you do it.
November 2025
Jr. Board Makes a Difference
If you've been keeping up with the newsletter thus far, you've likely heard of the flower pot project. What you may not be aware of, though, is the difference they really made.
On a freezing Saturday morning in December, members of the Jr. Board went to the Oneida Nursing Rehab Center, terracotta flower pots in hand. They visited over fifteen patients, chatting and spending time with each one. Though their actions were not Earth moving, they mattered to those who they visited. The Jr. Board is making exciting moves in their community, truly leading by example.
Misty Mountain Musicians: At It Again
If you attended their summer concert, you already know: the Misty Mountain Musicians are something to see. Incorporating musicians of all ages and skill levels, they're a truly diverse group, but talented nonetheless. On December 15th, the band will be holding a Christmas concert at Burchfield Elementary School in Oneida, TN. The concert will begin at 7pm.
If you're interested in participating in this band of wonders, please contact Ashlee Glaspy at appalaciansocietyofthearts@gmail.com
by December 10th.
The Madrigal Dinner at Timber Rock Lodge
If you aren't sure what a Madrigal is, this is the perfect opportunity to find out! Jokes aside, the dinner is an incredibly unique event, the likes of which the Appalachian heART team has never experienced. Essentially, while you are served exquisite food, a humorous play, set in the medieval/renaissance period, plays out all around you. Performed by ASotA's own Plateau Players, you may rest assured that the acting is up to their standards: superb. Further than that, live music accompanies the performance. A vocal choir performs period carols, there's harp playing, a baroque recorder group, and so much more.
Tickets for the two performances(December 19th and 20th) have sold incredibly quickly; we encourage you to purchase them ASAP. If they're sold out, know that you're missing out on a true delight, and be sure to move faster next year.
October 2025
appalachian heart
Welcome to the Appalachian heART! As we settle into fall, we're very excited to keep you up to date on the goings-on of the Appalachian art community. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this month's edition of the Appalachian heART.
October 2025
Music and Arts in the Park
On October 11th, members of the art community and others gathered for a day of fun in the fall breeze at Oneida city park. With lots of live music, several unique venders, and lots of fun for all ages, if you missed it, you missed out.
Some of the fun consisted of a costume contest, which is pictured in the gallery on the right. We also had a pie contest, which was as delicious as it was fun.
The performers we were privileged to hear include Ava Morrow, Azekial Harness, and many more. Be sure not to miss the next Music and Arts in the Park!
The Jr. Board at Music and Arts in the Park
At the October Music and Arts in the Park, the Jr. Board had a booth, as they often do. What is less commonplace is the art they collected while there. Smiles and bats and pumpkins all abound, alongside artistic abilities so deceptively simple they force you to re-examine your sense of self. If you're feeling froggy, please feel welcome to peruse our archives for the last series of artwork that was collected, and examine the differences and similarities. The first batch was done in the fun summer months, while these were crafted before a back drop of spooky fun. Think about the role environment plays on art, and consider your own environment- how much has being an Appalachian artist shaped you? How much has it shaped your art?
Please mull on these prompts as you enjoy the artwork to the left.
How To Submit Your Work
We're looking for art, photography, short stories(<5000 words preferably), poems, of articles. Get creative! For example, you may not be able to include a sculpture, but you can send a picture of a sculpture. We're also happy to present write ups and of art related things happening in the community. Please don't allow your inhibition prevent someone from experiencing art they may enjoy.
All submissions must be appropriate, culturally sound, and respectful. Abosolutely no profanity or vulgarity. The Appalachian heART retains the right to reject all submissions it deems unsuitable.
For written word(poetry, stories, etc.), email it to the editor in the form of a word document or google doc. If that is for some reason impossible, please reach out to the editor. We are willing to work with you. Please include your name, your preference on anonymity, and any context you are willing to share about the work.
For visual art(photography, sketches, paintings, etc.) or images, email the editor the image, along with your name, preference on anonymity, and any context you are willing to share.
Thanks to reformatting, The Appalachian heART is now open to a new art form, video! If you find that the art is not only in the finished product, but in the creation itself, we have a place for that! You may submit a video of you creating art, like pottery or painting, or even singing a song you wrote. We anticipate time lapse videos, because they are shorter, will work best. We recommend no more than four minutes per video, but this is subject to change as we learn how to maximize our platform.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the editor. We look forward to receiving your art!
Editor: Joslin Floyd floydjoslinnews0@gmail.com
September 2025
Appalachian heART
Move into fall with the arts! Here at the Appalachian heART, we're excited to fill you in on another busy month of the arts in the rolling hills of Appalachia!
If you don't know us, we're a digital arts newsletter focused on broadcasting the talent and culture of Appalachian artists. We would love to include your art in the fulfillment of that mission. Look for further information on submissions below.
September 2025
Music and Arts in the Park: Coming Your Way!
Join us on Saturday, October 11th, for Music and Arts in the Park! ASotA combines the arts, fun, and community- all in one jam-packed day! Held at Oneida City Park, it features live music, various vendors, and lots of free activities for the kids. Admission is free- we hope to see you there!
JAM registration open now!
Are you a young member of the community interested in traditional Appalachian music? Consider the Junior Appalachian Musicians program!
JAM provides communities with the tools and support they need to teach children to play traditional music. The music is introduced through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, guitar, and banjo. Everything is taught by ear, in traditional Appalachian style.
The JAM-Scott County is accepting late registration until October 13th. Those who register after the first class will only be obligated to a total of $90. There will be no class the week of October 30th.
ASotA is an affiliate of JAM. For more information about the program, visit www.jamkids.org.
The guitar instructor is Azekial Harness.
Junior Board Serves Community
One mission of the ASotA Junior Board, a group of art-leadership-oriented youths, is to lead through service. This fall, they chose to do that through making flower pots for those in nursing homes. The entire project was member led, meaning that from proposal to budget to completion, the kids were the driving force. Be on the lookout for the Jr. Board's next project!
August 2025
Appalachian heART
School may be back, but the arts never left!
Welcome to the Appalachian heART! We're an arts newsletter focused on broadcasting the talents of Appalachia. if you're interested in sharing your art, please read below. We would love to include your submission.
Please enjoy this issue!
August 2025
Community Art Collage
The Community Art Collage is a free opportunity for you to participate in art with your community! Your canvas, along with the canvasses of others, will be assembled into a community collage at the October Music and Arts in the Park Festival, on October 11th.
The canvases are placed on the porch of the Gerry McDonald Mission House, which is behind First United Methodist Church of Oneida. When you retrieve your canvas, be sure to fill out the information on the back. All canvases need to be returned to the mission house by October 8th.
Play it Forward: Community Needs Met!
There was need in the Oneida High School band program- kids needed instruments to play and had none. ASotA stepped in to fill that need, with Play it Forward, and everyone who needed an instrument got one!
Play it Forward is a fund dedicated to filling resource gaps in the music education programs of Appalachia. Though all the needs at Oneida were met, the fund remains open to help other programs in the future.
Pictured: Secretary of the ASotA Board and Performing Arts Director Ashlee Glaspy; students of Oneida High School's marching band.
The Junior Board in Action
August has been busy, especially for ASotA's young people! Here, they're painting flower pots as apart of their Service Leadership Initiative. Their goal is to help their community and make the arts more accessible through service. Be on the lookout for the Jr. Board's next project!
Kids' Corner
Kids' Corner, a remarkable program run by Becky Hintzmann, has released its craft schedule for this school season! These activities are targeted toward homeschool students, but all are welcome.
It's always on the fourth Monday of the month at 11:00am EST, and is held at Hester Hall in Rugby, TN.
August 25th: Friendship Bracelts
September 22nd: Sewing Pillowcases
October 27th: Luminary Bag
November 24th: Thanksgiving
December 22nd: Christmas Ornament
January 26: Valentine's Day Craft
February 23rd: St. Patrick's Day Clover
March 23rd: Easter Craft
April 27th: Spring Craft
The Joy of Marching Band
Anyone that's been to the south has probably been to a football game, and everyone that's been to a football game has probably seen a marching band. You know them, the people marching around the field with instruments and feathery hats, or in the stands playing pep tunes. Not only is marching band often beneficial for its participants, it's integral to the tradition and heritage of football in the south. We all know of the Pride of the Southland Band, and we've all been roused by the fight song during a key play on the field. It's always been a staple of the football experience, but it may not last much longer.
School systems are struggling financially, and oftentimes the performing and fine arts programs are the first things cut. Even in situations that aren't so dire, most school systems aren't prepared to give their arts programs the support they need. Across rural Eastern Tennessee, there is an epidemic of instrument shortages and incredibly low funds.
Any band kid you ask won't take long to tell you how much band means to them, or what a difference it makes in their life. I encourage you to think not only of their joy, but of your own, of participating in heritage and tradition, in going to football games and listening to pep tunes. Please, write your school administrators and tell them how much joy marching band and the fine arts bring you. Encourage them to preserve that program. If you don't, you may not have the opportunity to next school year.
How To Submit Your Work
We're looking for art, photography, short stories(<5000 words preferably), poems, of articles. Get creative! For example, you may not be able to include a sculpture, but you can send a picture of a sculpture. We're also happy to present write ups and of art related things happening in the community. Please don't allow your inhibition prevent someone from experiencing art they may enjoy.
All submissions must be appropriate, culturally sound, and respectful. Abosolutely no profanity or vulgarity. The Appalachian heART retains the right to reject all submissions it deems unsuitable.
For written word(poetry, stories, etc.), email it to the editor in the form of a word document or google doc. If that is for some reason impossible, please reach out to the editor. We are willing to work with you. Please include your name, your preference on anonymity, and any context you are willing to share about the work.
For visual art(photography, sketches, paintings, etc.) or images, email the editor the image, along with your name, preference on anonymity, and any context you are willing to share.
Thanks to reformatting, The Appalachian heART is now open to a new art form, video! If you find that the art is not only in the finished product, but in the creation itself, we have a place for that! You may submit a video of you creating art, like pottery or painting, or even singing a song you wrote. We anticipate time lapse videos, because they are shorter, will work best. We recommend no more than four minutes per video, but this is subject to change as we learn how to maximize our platform.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the editor. We look forward to receiving your art!
Editor: Joslin Floyd floydjoslinnews0@gmail.com
July 2025
The Appalachian heART
Welcome to The Appalachian heART! This is an arts oriented newsletter missioned to uplift and connect artists within Appalachia. We've been in business since May 2025, and have published monthly since.
July has been a jam packed month for the arts, and we hope you enjoy learning all about it!
July 2025
Highland Harmony's Upcoming Season: An Opportunity to Join in on Joyous Music Making
Highland Harmony, a community chorus directed by Jessica Rash, is excited to announce the approach of its third season! They welcome everyone, including teens fourteen and up, from those with music degrees to total beginners. The group performs a concert in the spring, and takes December off to avoid holiday conflicts. It's a lot of fun, and a wonderful way to find community. If you're someone who is interested in art or performance, or someone who would like to be exposed to classical music training, sign up! It's an enriching, engaging experience.
The kickoff rehearsal is on August 28th, from 7:00-8:30pm, at the Scott Christian Care Center. They rehearse twice a month, same time and place. There is an annual fee of forty dollars, but scholarships are available based on need.
If interested, you may sign up at the link below, or contact us at the listed email. Please sign up ASAP!
highlandharmonychorus@gmail.com
appalachiansocietyofthearts.com/highland-harmony
This is the PDF file of the flyer containing more detail and information around the program and the benefits of choral singing.
The Scott County Schools Middle School Band Camp
At Middle School Band Camp, students and educators voluntarily sacrifice a week of their summer for the sake of music education. This is the camp's seventeenth year, and it has always been at no charge to the students. They practice upwards of four hours a day, and the camp employs instrument specific instructors- an unprecedented concept for small, rural bands. After five days of intensive rehearsal, the band performed an awesome concert! It included pieces like Ode to Joy, Appalachian Overture, Cardiff Castle, and Pixels. There were also section features, which included; Ave Maria, performed by the flute section and arranged by flute instructor Ashlee Glaspy; New Haven, performed by the clarinet section; Theme From Surprise Symphony, played by the trumpet section; Jurassic Park, played by the low brass section; Fault Line, played by the percussion section and composed by local band director Steven Rodgers; and The Muppet Show Theme, played by the staff of the camp. Middle School Band Camp is graciously hosted by Burchfield band director Cole Hunt, and other staff include Ashlee Glaspy, Kris Burke, Arthur Acres, Jacob Boshears, Dr. Ryan Hoffman, Rebecca Acres, Ellie Maxy, Steven Rodgers, Micah Phillips, Brandan Hunt, Aliyah Brosnan, and Joslin Floyd.
It's clear that it takes dozens of moving parts to plan and execute something as comprehensive as Middle School Band Camp, but it's worth it. When budgets must be cut, music education is generally one of the first things to go. Thankfully, this is not the case in Scott County, but wherever you are, you need to make your appreciation of music and art education known to the leaders of your community.
The Misty Mountain Musicians Concert- Dazzling Success!
On July 2nd, the Misty Mountain Musicians community band performed a smashing premiere concert. The group held a full audience rapt for nearly an hour, making music they had put together in only four rehearsals together. Director Cole Hunt included a variety of pieces, including but not limited to; John Williams in Concert, Fairest of the Fair, and Muppet Movie Medley. The group plans to reconvene next summer, when they will surely put on another concert of such epic proportions.
Inherit the Wind: A Theatrical Masterpiece
At the Black Box Theatre of Scott Christian care Center, the Plateau Players performed Inherit the Wind, a play about the Scopes Monkey Trial. The real trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee. Even though it was a dramatized version of events, the players conveyed every scene with true gravity. The emotion, the conviction, all of it somehow completely different and much the same as modern day. The cast was truly exceptional, and held the audience close through each twist and turn. if you didn't attend one of the eight shows, you missed out.
Be on the lookout for the next Plateau Players production!
Plateau Players Having Fun in the Fourth of July Parade!
The ASotA Junior Board
The AsotA Junior Board is a student composed, lead, and oriented group. The mission of the Junior Board is to serve their communities through the arts. The kids work together to become better leaders, creatives, and build a community of young artists in the Appalachian region. While they benefit from the guidance of the ASotA Board, the meetings are executed by board members, who make budgets, agendas, and practice the process of a real board meeting.
The Junior Board was instated soon after ASotA itself, and it has truly taken off in recent months. The group is small, but diverse in talent and ability. If you're a teen, interested in the arts and joining a community of like-minded people, get involved with ASotA. You won't be admitted to the JR. Board immediately, we need to get to know you first, but you will have the opportunity to get invloved and get to know us.
What's Up With Fiber Arts?
A better question may be, 'What are the fiber arts?' The technical definition, a category of art forms that involves working with fibers, fails to capture the whimsy and character of the craft. The fiber arts include things like knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, and much more. Take a moment to imagine all the things in your life that are a product of the fiber arts, of present and past. There are a lot! Even though, the fiber arts are often underrepresented. I encourage you to give it a try! It's a great way to express your creativity while creating something functional.
Submissions
Here at the Appalachian heART, one of our greatest joys is giving artists the opportunity to share their work. This month's submissions come from very talented artist Mary Helen. She noted that this collection was created with a sense of nostalgia. The layered colors and textures create striking visuals, from fowl to ghost.
June 2025
May 2025
