RUX cohort returns to Morehead, Rowan County
From July 17-19, our 2026 cohort of leaders from across Kentucky returned to Morehead to explore the host community through themes of art, recovery, and ecology.
Photos by M. Tyler McDaniel. View more on Facebook!
Since our first visit to Morehead last July, the local Host Community Coordinator Emma Marriner and a Host Committee of Morehead locals have been working to craft a weekend of place-based experiences to explore themes of local arts, recovery efforts, and ecology.
Upon arrival, RUX-ers gathered at Breckinridge Hall at Morehead State University to continue the RUX leadership training curriculum that they began last summer, kicking off the weekend with storycircles and homerooms.
In the evening, the group traveled to Rowan County Arts Center for dinner from Fodder Catering and a Community Conversation on the local arts scene featuring Patrick Johnson (MSU English & Sawstone Poets), Chrissy Perkins (Photographer, Artist, & Creative Entrepreneur), Andrew Preston (a.k.a. A.p Harbor; Singer-Songwriter & Author), and Adrian Swain (Ceramicist; Kentucky Folk Art Center), moderated by Denise Watkins (MSU Theatre).
Watch the Community Conversation
To round out the evening, cohort members enjoyed a square dance, called by cohort member Megan Falce with live music from the band Violet and the Newsroom.
On Saturday morning, the cohort gathered more Currency of Connection programming on Morehead State University’s campus, including learning about upcoming Civic Strength Club Microgrants from RUX. Afterwards, the cohort journeyed to the First Christian Church of Morehead. There, they had lunch provided by Fodder Catering and gathered for a Narrative Stage on local recovery efforts. Panelists included Logan Barker (Via Dolorosa Recovery), Melinda Fugate, Kristin Tiedeman (Fletcher Group, Inc.), and Gene Detherage (Recovery Specialist, Bluegrass ADD), moderated by Sarah Schmitt (KY Arts Council) and introduced by City Council member Edna Schack.
Watch the Narrative Stage
After the Narrative Stage, the cohort enjoyed some local exploration in downtown Morehead before reconvening on campus to break out into homeroom discussions about the day’s themes and cohort-led sessions. They then got to journey back downtown for dinner at local restaurants before enjoying an excursion to MSU’s Space Science Center.
On Sunday, the cohort began the morning with an overview about the facilitation of the RUX curriculum before heading to nearby Twin Knobs Campground. At Twin Knobs, the cohort gathered for lunch from the Fuzzy Duck and an ecology discussion with local fisheries biologist Tom Timmermann. After closing out the weekend, some folks stuck around to go swimming at the beach!
We want to give a big thanks to everyone who helped make our Morehead Community Intensive Weekend possible. Thank you to our impeccable Host Coordinator Emma Marriner for her year-long stewardship of this gathering, and to the local Host Committee for all their behind-the-scenes connection, ideation, and preparation: Annette Hines, Lorna Magnus, Chrissy Perkins, Amy Le Ann Richardson, Jennifer Schworm, Dj Sassi, Edna Schack, Itza Zavala, and RUX Steering Committee liaison Tyler McDaniel.
We’re also thankful for the support of our sponsors and partners: Morehead-Rowan County Tourism, Rowan County Arts Center, MSU Space Science Center, KY Arts Council, Greater Clark Foundation, Snowy Owl Foundation, and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.
Want to meet the cohort? Join us at Network Weekend!
Join us September 25-27 at Blue Licks for a weekend of family-friendly adventures and activities led by Kentuckians, for Kentuckians. Register by August 7.
About the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange
An initiative of Art of the Rural, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) is a statewide network that unites Kentuckians in common purpose through programs that strengthen intercultural leadership, narrative change, and civic health. Our network includes 400 Kentuckians from 80 counties and growing.