This month, ARTS/West is showcasing a dual exhibit about the relationship between humans and dogs through poetry and paintings called Hounds of Appalachia.
As a father-daughter team, J.D. and Leah Gram display their love for dogs and experiencing nature. Leah, who recently moved to Athens, graduated from Ohio University with a master's degree in environmental science.
I started painting dogs after taking an art class at OU in 2007
she said.
Leah also credits her beagle, Chunky, as one of her inspirations. The artwork in the show reflects her view of hounds and hunting, the ability to obtain food locally and the love of canine companions.
I hope people learn more about the history of this area along with the hunting culture Leah said.
J.D. currently lives at Lone Willow Farm in Tuscarawas County, and has written about his hunting experiences with his dogs for more than a decade. In addition to poetry pieces, J.D. exhibits his hunting experiences and reflections in large-scale texts to follow the sizes of his daughter's acrylic paintings.
In some of J.D.'s writings, he matches his dogs' personalities to women. He writes, Pardon the comparison but
like a good woman
a good coon dog is hard to find. One like Josie comes along once in a lifetime
if you're lucky. Dogs take him away from the stresses and troubles of modern times, he said in one of his reflections. They make him feel simpler and almost primitive, like a pioneer or fur trader.
J.D. will be reading some of his poetry from 5-8 p.m. tomorrow at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., and Leah will provide wine, a vegan dish and cooked squirrel and rabbit. There are three paintings for sale: two for $100 and one for $200.
The exhibit is free to all visitors, but donations will be accepted. The community performing arts facility was in the black for 2009, said Emily Prince, program specialist for ARTS/West. She was worried about the decreasing funds because of a few cut grants, smaller contributions and fewer people attending the events. ARTS/West did not have exact budget numbers at press time.
I think our numbers are good because we cut costs by using things like scrap paper and donated supplies
she said.
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Culture
Lauren Mikolay
