The Art of the Originals is a six-part Undermain series sponsored by the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission highlighting the works of Native American artists. The series is produced in partnership with the weekly WEKU current affairs program, Eastern Standard.
Part One
Tropes and Stereotypes in American Musical Theater
By Trevor McChristian (Navajo)
Nolan Almeida, Kenny Ramos, Raye Zaragoza and the cast of "Peter Pan" (Matthew Murphy)
Malcolm Wilson's “Appalachian Beautiful”
“Some people will look at these portraits and think it’s about glamour. And sure—there’s beauty in them. But that’s not the point. The point is dignity. The point is control of the narrative. The point is saying, 'You don’t get to tell our story for us anymore.''” — Arletta Adams
Gabrielle Helle is among the more than sixty Appalachian women who participated in Wilson's project, inspired by early 20th century Hollywood celebrity photographer George Hurrell.