Kentucky Folk Art Center
Folk Art is a category of traditional art by self-taught artists, also known as outsider art, intuitive art and visionary art. Just off First Street in downtown Morehead, visitors can find the only museum dedicated solely to the presentation of art in eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky Folk Art Center. The center’s building was formerly the Morehead Grocery Company or Union Grocery, constructed between 1904 and 1906. All artists represented in the Morehead State University Folk Art Collection have lived or were born in Kentucky. The second floor of the center holds the Edgar Tolson Folk Art Library, which includes hundreds of references for the study of folk art. There are about 40 folk art museums In the United States and the Morehead center is one of two located in Kentucky, the other in Paducah, Kentucky.
182 East Main Street Mural
Morehead’s first female mayor, Laura White-Brown, has always believed art brought a community together and wanted to see it installed on Main Street as murals. Two local art educators worked alongside the Mayor and after receiving budget approval from City Council, the project was well on its’ way. Often Seen Rarely Spoken, from Louisville Kentucky, was chosen to install the art because of their ability to create nice lettering. The install took a little less than 4 days on the front of a longtime Main Street staple, Bishop’s Pasquale’s Pizza & Pasta.
Rowan County Arts Center
When plans to tear down the vacant courthouse became known, citizens and local organizations banded together to secure a grant from the Paul & Lucille Caudill Little Foundation to create a community arts center. The grant and matching funds from the Rowan County Fiscal Court remodeled and restored historical parts of the 1899 building. In 2007, the Rowan County Arts Center opened its doors to the community.To preserve the building’s historical beginnings, the old county offices were converted to working artist studios allowing visitors to watch as art is created. The main gallery hosts monthly art exhibits featuring local and regional art, many of which are exhibiting their art for the first time. The upstairs courtroom was transformed into an auditorium that hosts plays, concerts, square dances, weddings, receptions and more.
Stephen Tirone Sculpture Concourse
Located near the front entrance of Ginger Hall and the west entrance of Rader Hall, this area displays life-sized sculptures created by faculty member Stephen Tirone to depict the University’s historic mission of training teachers and artists. The first sculpture was dedicated in 2002 and the sixth piece in 2006. At the unveiling of the fifth sculpture, the concourse was named in honor of its creator.
Rowan County Courthouse
Featured inside the halls of the County’s administration building, visitors will enjoy a unique art exhibit presented by Artisan Framewerks in collaboration with Rowan County Judge-Executive. The display is a rotating exhibit featuring local, regional and international artists. The project also allows those same artists to exhibit their work and to enhance the visual appeal and mood of the courthouse. With the assistance of Sherwin-Williams™ for paint, and Harold White Lumber and Millworks for manufacturing hanging rails, a space was created to exhibit the art display space.
St. Claire Healthcare
Just outside the entrance of St. Claire Healthcare Medical Pavilion “A Lifetime of Care” is a stunning illustration of St. Claire Healthcare as sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame. A sculpture features an exact replica of a Dr. Louise Caudill’s doctor’s stool and stethoscope and other instruments used by Dr. Warren Proudfoot. The cross around the sister’s neck is modeled after those worn by the Sisters of Notre Dame and the sister’s shirt was patterned off one once belonging to Sister Jeanne Frances Cleves. The sculpture was created by local artists Steven Tirone and through contributions from the St. Claire Auxiliary.
Shelter Insurance
Visitors to the Shelter Insurance Office have the opportunity to enjoy the Shield of Shelter Gallery presented by Artisan Framewerks. The office lobby is filled with local, regional and international artwork. Shelter Insurance Agent, Caleb Staggs, values the arts as a large part of the local culture. He felt bringing the arts inside his business would nurture his commitment to the community and allow his clients the same enjoyment he gets when viewing rotating exhibit.
Koper's Boutique
The store name, derived from a small seaport town in Slovenia called Kopers, was in honor of the owners great grandparents that migrated to the United States. Not only is the shop unique but the mural on the rear of the store tells the multiple stories about the town the owner grew up in, Morehead. With vibrant colors, Morehead State University, muskie fishing, bluegrass music, hospital, sunrise, Kentucky, butterflies, hills, lakeside views and more, you can let your imagination run free.
182 East Main Street and Bridge Street Mural
Fifteen artists and eighteen designs were selected by an anonymous jury for inclusion in the mural array featured on the side of the 182 East Main Street building. The murals are based on familiar Rowan County subject matter and feature artists who have lived in Rowan County. The vibrant colors and various art grab the attention of all passerby. The mural was sponsored by the Morehead Rotary Club.
135 Hargis Avenue and West Second Street
First ExhibitThe Yangshuo, China mural is a digital version of a painting titled “Beautiful Scenery of Yangshuo” by Changtian Li. The painting was presented to the City of Morehead by their Sister City, Yangshuo, China in October 2019. Second ExhibitRowan County students, grades 1-12, submitted designs, with cooperation from their arts teachers and schools. One mural design was selected to represent each grade by an anonymous jury. This was truly a community project and has won the hearts of involved and passersby. The project was sponsored by the Morehead Rotary Club.
