Earth Day 2026
Arts in Appalachia

Shards of Hope marked a special night for the Cherokee County Arts Council and the first concert in our new Arts in Appalachia series. With 109 people in attendance, a full livestream, and a reception of roughly 60 guests afterward, the evening felt like a turning point. It was the kind of event that reminds us what is possible when artists, volunteers, community partners, and audiences come together around meaningful work.

The performance brought poetry and music into conversation through the world premiere of a new song cycle by UK-based composer Andrew Wilson, inspired by the poetry of Mary Ricketson. The program featured Andrea Price, soprano, Denise Gainey, clarinet, and Helen Meacham, piano, with Mary’s poetry woven into the evening. Denise Gainey was the driving force behind the collaboration, bringing the artists together and helping shape the vision for the performance.

We are also grateful to Murphy First United Methodist Church for hosting the event and providing a welcoming space, sound system, and livestream platform. Their support allowed the evening to reach both the audience in the room and those watching from home. Wil Posey helped us connect with the church, and Rachel Watson, our Executive Director, guided the many moving parts of the evening so the experience felt smooth, thoughtful, and complete.

Following the performance, guests gathered for a reception and a preview of Intertwined, our upcoming July exhibition sponsored by MountainTrue. The exhibit will feature work by five visual artists and will open in the CCAC Center Gallery on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Shards of Hope was a bellwether moment for the CCAC. It showed the strength of the Arts in Appalachia series and the deep appetite in our community for performances that are thoughtful, intimate, and beautifully made. We are grateful to the artists, board members, volunteers, and community partners who made the night possible, and to everyone who attended, watched, shared, and supported the work.