Kentucky Folklife Program

03/11/2026

A massive thank you to the Kentucky Arts Council for such a brilliant weekend at the 2026 Kentucky Crafted Market! 🎨

We had the pleasure of hosting The Folklife Zone, with our dear friends Glespie Ray Deweese (former Homer Ledford Award winner) & Graham Hudspeth as they honored Glespie Guitars and shared musical stories with the public (with extra special guest starts Gina & Martha!) 🎸

Thank you KAC for helping us spread the joy of the Southcentral Kentucky musical landscape, and don't forget to come on down to the Kentucky Museum to watch our Sonic Landscape exhibit in action! 🎻

See you next year crafters 🌈

03/05/2026

What a brilliant night telling the story of Jonesville. 🌼

Thank you WKU Department of Society, Culture, Crime, & Justice Studies and WKU PBS | WKU Public Media for making our Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall screening a reality. Thank you all for coming out and asking such fantastic, thought provoking questions. 🌟

We hope to see you again soon! 🎥

03/03/2026

With massive thanks to the WKU Council for Community & Accessibility, WKU Department of Society, Culture, Crime, & Justice Studies alongside the Kentucky Folklife Program and WKU Public Media | WKU PBS are proud to announce the documentary screening of Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall this evening: Tuesday, March 3rd , 2026, at 6:15 pm CST at WKU Jody Richards Hall Auditorium. 🎥

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director, producers, and descendants behind the project itself:

- Alice Gatewood Waddell
- Akisha Townsend Eaton
- David H. Greer
- Josh Niedwick

Refreshments will be served, and Admission is Free. 🎟️

See you there! 🌻

02/19/2026

Join folklorist Dr. Erika Brady and noted fellow bluegrass musicians to discuss the special role of jams, informal picking sessions, in the history and current state of the music here in our region - the place where bluegrass began. If we are lucky, they may even break out the instruments and showcase how it’s done!

Part of the KY Museum's series of America 250 programing. To learn more, visit https://ow.ly/7NNe50XYbHJ

WKU Alumni Western Kentucky University WKU Potter College of Arts & Letters Kentucky Folklife Program WKU Folk Studies WKU Housing & Residence Life WKU PBS WBKO News WNKY Television WKU Department of Music

12/02/2025

Thank you to our brilliant Bowling Green Community for aiding in our celebration of Día de los Mu***os this year. Your heart shined brightly, and it was a joy to get to learn about the ones you've loved, lost, and found again. See you next year! 🦋 💀🌼

Take a look at our most recent blog post to learn more 🌹

Framed photo of Ryan Black’s sister holding him as a child; PC: Camille Maria Acosta On Wednesday, November 22nd, bright colors and warm lights filled the second floor of the Kentucky Museum,…

11/18/2025

Tomorrow at 10:00 am CST (11:00 am EST), the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Folklife Digital Magazine are proud to host the Creative Industry Summit Series Webinar: Kentucky Folklife Magazine Stories of Community Scholars! 💻

This free webinar on Wednesday, November 19th, will feature stories from the newest issue of Kentucky Folklife Digital Magazine. Our Editor-in-Chief & folklorist behind the magazine Delainey Bowers will be facilitating a conversation with Yolantha Harrison-Pace of Boyle County and Brenda Bear of Lewis County, both graduates of the Community Scholars training program coordinated by the Kentucky Folklife Program with support from the Kentucky Arts Council. In this narrative stage, the scholars will share stories about their research and artworks that explore community, identity, cultural expression, and a sense of belonging. 📖🎨

Be sure to register to attend this virtual webinar here: https://artscouncil.ky.gov/event/ciss-kentucky-folklife-magazine-stories-of-community-scholars/

See you all soon! 🥳

The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar on Wed., Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Central featuring stories from the newest issue of Kentucky Folklife Digital Magazine, a publication of the Kentucky Folklife Program. This Creative Industry Summit Series webinar features Yolantha Harris...

10/23/2025

The Fall 2025 Issue of the Kentucky Folklife digital magazine is now live! 📖

Opening with a Guest Editor's Letter from our very own Bob Gates, this truly remarkable issue is a trip down memory lane, as it explores the heartfelt journey of the Community Scholars Program. From over 20 years of programming, this issue explores the stories of four Community Scholars graduates and their journey to the artists and storytellers they are now. 🌼

Congratulations to our contributors for this Fall Issue 🥳:

- Octavia Sexton
- Yolantha Harrison-Pace
- Brenda Bear
- Doug Naselroad

A special thank you to Judy Sizemore and Mark Brown with the Kentucky Arts Council, without whom this issue would not have happened. And last but certainly not least, a massive thank you to our Editor-in-Chief Delainey Bowers for piecing together an issue that won't soon be forgotten. 🌟

Head on over to https://kyfolklifemag.org/ !

09/25/2025

A truly wonderful article by WDRB News features an incredible Kentucky Folk & Traditional Artist, Ed "Nardie" White and the phenomenal Smoketown Percussion Institute 🥁🌟

So lucky to have such fantastic artistry in this state. 🌈

The sounds of raindrops and music fill Russell Lee Park in the city's west end Wednesday afternoon.

09/03/2025

The 25th Anniversary of the Horse Cave Heritage Festival is quickly approaching on September 19th - 20th, and the Kentucky Folklife Program in partnership with WKU Folk Studies have a question for you! 🤔

This anniversary year, students in Dr. Ann Ferrell's Oral History class are partnering with the KFP to conduct oral histories about the 25-year history during the festival on Sat. Sept. 20. We are hoping to record memories and reflections on the festival from those who had a hand in its creation and ongoing success, as well as those who have attended and enjoyed it over the years. All interviews will be archived at WKU and copies will be given to the city. 🎙🗂

Anyone interested in being interviewed during the festival is asked to contact the Kentucky Folklife Program by this Friday, Sept. 5th to schedule a time to be interviewed on Saturday, Sept. 20th. ⏰

Call or email Camille Acosta, Folklife Specialist: (270) 745-4133, [email protected] 💻

We hope to see you there! 🥳

08/25/2025

Oh would you look at that....I suppose something pretty amazing premieres next Saturday, September 6th....Something pretty darn fantastic and full of heart, soul, and musical magic 🎼✨

The Kentucky Museum, WKU Folk Studies, the Kentucky Folklife Program, and the wonderful Dr. Sydney Varajon are unbelievably proud to announce the grand opening of Sonic Landscape: The Musical Legacy of Southcentral Kentucky!!! 🥳

This phenomenal exhibit is the result of over 90 oral history interviews with musicians, producers, and insiders that keep the Southcentral Kentucky soundscape alive. Since 2016, this work initially spearheaded by Dr. Sydney Varajon, has been led by the Kentucky Folklife Program in partnership with WKU Folk Studies professors, WKU students, and the Kentucky Museum team, who have made this almost 10 year dream, a reality. 🌈🪕🎻

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, join us for a day-long music festival hosted at the Kentucky Museum! Meet regional musicians, listen to live performances, and celebrate! Food trucks, art-making activities, and more await. The fun culminates with a FREE evening concert by the one and only Sam Bush at Van Meter Hall on campus! 🎤

Where:
- Kentucky Museum at WKU at 1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, KY.

When:
- 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. CST - Musical performances, art activities, food trucks, and more at the Kentucky Museum!
- 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CST - Sam Bush in concert at Van Meter Hall

Admission: Free!

See you there music fans! 😄🥁