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The Arts at Appalachian

The Russian National Ballet on the stage of the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Photo: Troy Tuttle

Art for Life: All across our campus, Appalachian presents diverse and vibrant arts programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus and region.

Arts Events & Venues

Join us for an event or exhibition — you can find one nearly every day of the year, for nearly every age level and interest.

Arts as Curriculum

The arts offer innovative ways to learn about the world. Appalachian's academic arts programs are varied and diverse, and students have many opportunities to experience, interpret, understand, record and shape culture through the arts at Appalachian.

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Arts Calendar

Find out about upcoming arts and cultural events at Appalachian.

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Tier 2000
by Ann Melanie
From the Rosen Outdoor Scuplture Exhibition

Find your Art at the Turchin Center

Bale Folclorico comes to App and watch what happens!

Arts Calendar

Jan
23
Film: Force Majeure (2014)
January 23, 2019
6:00 pm
This wickedly funny and precisely observed psychodrama tells the story of a model Swedish family—handsome businessman Tomas, his willowy wife Ebba and their two blond children—on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. Introduction and discussion will be led by Fulbright scholar Christian Quendler of the University of Innsbruck and Josh McClenney, graduate student in Appalachian studies.
Jan
23
to
Feb
26
Mountain Film Series
Jan 23 - Feb 26, 2019
Three motion pictures set in mountains: the French Alps; imagined mountains; and Appalachia (Blowing Rock, N.C.) will be screened on campus as part of the International Mountain Studies Symposium during the Spring 2019 semester. The symposium is a day-long, interdisciplinary academic event will bring fifteen international mountain studies scholars to campus to engage with students, faculty and staff.
Jan
24
Reading with Dr. Suzanne Samples: An account of living, teaching and writing with terminal brain cancer
January 24, 2019
5:30 pm
Appalachian State University faculty member Dr. Suzanne Samples reads from her humorous and heartbreakingly real memoir “Frontal Matter: Glue Gone Wild,” an account of living, teaching and writing with terminal brain cancer at age 36.
Jan
29
to
Feb
21
Art+Design Expo 2019
Jan 29 - Feb 21, 2019
Art+Design Expo is an annual juried student art exhibition co-sponsored by the Art and Applied Design departments and hosted by the Smith Gallery. Expo features outstanding student art across the creative spectrum and is open to all students at Appalachian State University.
Feb
5
Tai Chi
February 5, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Feb
5
Film: Snowpiercer (2013)
February 5, 2019
6:00 pm
Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges. Introduction and discussion will be led by Ellie Dudding, a graduate student in Appalachian studies.
Feb
5
Visual Journaling
February 5, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Feb
8
Inkalicious
February 8, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Feb
12
Tai Chi
February 12, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Feb
12
Visual Journaling
February 12, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Feb
13
Full Circle: ARTtalk Panel
February 13, 2019
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
In conjunction with the exhibition Full Circle: 2018 CENTER Award Winners, join guest panelists for an evening of discussion about contemporary social and cultural documentary photography and the role that powerful visual images can play in creating a more just and equitable society.
Feb
13
Herbie Hancock
February 13, 2019
7:00 pm
Herbie Hancock has defied tradition over the years creating music that expands the possibilities of musical thought. Embracing elements of rock, soul, funk and electronica, Hancock is often described by many as a visionary, an architect in the post-bop sound. With a career spanning more than 50 years, his passion for innovation and creativity remains unparalleled.
Feb
19
Tai Chi
February 19, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Feb
19
Visual Journaling
February 19, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Feb
19
Dance Theatre of Harlem
February 19, 2019
7:00 pm
Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem is a globally-acclaimed dance institution that has occupied a distinguished place in the New York City’s cultural landscape and brings innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences across the country and around the world. The 16-member professional dance ensemble has performed in 41 countries on six continents, in 44 states and more than 250 cities across North America.
Feb
20
Eurydice
February 20, 2019
7:00 pm
Sure to surprise even the most seasoned theatergoers, “Eurydice” brings a new, refreshing aspect to an ancient, magnificent Greek myth. Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl revisits this well-known legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Eurydice” skillfully tells the story of a young woman who is caught between memory and reality, romance and family, the world of life and the world of death.
Feb
21
Eurydice
February 21, 2019
7:00 pm
Sure to surprise even the most seasoned theatergoers, “Eurydice” brings a new, refreshing aspect to an ancient, magnificent Greek myth. Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl revisits this well-known legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Eurydice” skillfully tells the story of a young woman who is caught between memory and reality, romance and family, the world of life and the world of death.
Feb
22
Inkalicious
February 22, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Feb
22
Eurydice
February 22, 2019
7:00 pm
Sure to surprise even the most seasoned theatergoers, “Eurydice” brings a new, refreshing aspect to an ancient, magnificent Greek myth. Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl revisits this well-known legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Eurydice” skillfully tells the story of a young woman who is caught between memory and reality, romance and family, the world of life and the world of death.
Feb
23
Eurydice
February 23, 2019
7:00 pm
Sure to surprise even the most seasoned theatergoers, “Eurydice” brings a new, refreshing aspect to an ancient, magnificent Greek myth. Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl revisits this well-known legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Eurydice” skillfully tells the story of a young woman who is caught between memory and reality, romance and family, the world of life and the world of death.
Feb
24
Eurydice
February 24, 2019
2:00 pm
Sure to surprise even the most seasoned theatergoers, “Eurydice” brings a new, refreshing aspect to an ancient, magnificent Greek myth. Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl revisits this well-known legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Eurydice” skillfully tells the story of a young woman who is caught between memory and reality, romance and family, the world of life and the world of death.
Feb
25
Paint Night
February 25, 2019
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Unleash your creative spirit with a step-by-step paint class! Follow along with our instructor to create your own little masterpiece.
Feb
26
Tai Chi
February 26, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Feb
26
Film: Goodbye Solo (2008)
February 26, 2019
6:00 pm
On the lonely roads of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, two men forge an improbable friendship that will change both of their lives forever. Solo is a Senegalese cab driver working to provide a better life for his young family. William is a tough, Southern good old boy with a lifetime of regrets. One man’s American dream is just beginning, while the other’s is quickly winding down. Introduction and discussion led by Ian Kirkpatrick, a graduate student in Appalachian studies.
Feb
26
Visual Journaling
February 26, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Feb
27
ArtTALKS: Plein Air: Southern Appalachian Forest: Reiko Goto Collins & Tim Collins
February 27, 2019
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Artists Reiko Goto Collins and Tim Collins will discuss their methodology for the PLEIN AIR installation “Plein Air: Southern Appalachian Forest: Reiko Goto Collins & Tim Collins” in the Turchin Center's Mayer Gallery.
Mar
1
to
Jun
1
16th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition & Exhibition
Mar 1 - Jun 1, 2019
This competition provides both amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to showcase their interpretation of the unique character, people, places, and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachians.
Mar
1
to
Jun
1
Pieces of the Puzzle: Turchin Center Outreach Programs
Mar 1 - Jun 1, 2019
The Turchin Center’s arts and education outreach programs connect the university arts resources to a diverse audience of students, arts patrons, teachers and learners. This exhibition celebrates the process of art making and of free play that participants experience when they respond to color, texture, and design in the world around them.
Mar
1
to
Aug
3
Plein Air: Southern Appalachian Forest: Reiko Goto Collins & Tim Collins
Mar 1 - Aug 3, 2019
Anthropogenic climate change has its root causes in over two centuries of greenhouse gases primarily produced by the first and second industrialized nations of the world. Climate change is a narrative of global data largely understood to be a driving force in social and economic changes of 21st century. Trees are the largest living things on earth; forests are often discussed as one aspect of the range of approaches necessary to sequester carbon with the potential to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Mar
8
Inkalicious
March 8, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Mar
12
International Mountain Studies Symposium
March 12, 2019
This symposium will bring mountain studies scholars from around the globe to present their research alongside members of our campus community—advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff—focusing our campus’s attention on comparative mountain studies between the Appalachian Mountains and other mountain regions around the world.
Mar
12
Tai Chi
March 12, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Mar
12
Visual Journaling
March 12, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Mar
19
Tai Chi
March 19, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Mar
19
Visual Journaling
March 19, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Mar
20
ArtTALKS: Dana Fritz
March 20, 2019
6:00 pm
Fritz will discuss her experience with working with environmental issues through photography. Her monograph Terraria Gigantica: The World under Glass was released in fall 2017 and features over 40 color plates including the photographs in the exhibition at the Turchin Center beginning December 2018.
Mar
22
Inkalicious
March 22, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Mar
22
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
March 22, 2019
7:30 pm
Join us for one of North America's largest screenings of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. This year, Outdoor Programs is celebrating its 23rd Anniversary of hosting the World Tour!
Mar
23
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
March 23, 2019
7:30 pm
Join us for one of North America's largest screenings of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. This year, Outdoor Programs is celebrating its 23rd Anniversary of hosting the World Tour!
Mar
25
Paint Night
March 25, 2019
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Unleash your creative spirit with a step-by-step paint class! Follow along with our instructor to create your own little masterpiece.
Mar
26
Tai Chi
March 26, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Mar
26
Visual Journaling
March 26, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Apr
2
Tai Chi
April 2, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Apr
2
Visual Journaling
April 2, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Apr
5
Spring Exhibition Celebration
April 5, 2019
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Several times a year, to celebrate new exhibitions, the Turchin Center invites the public inside after hours, to “engage, discover and connect through the arts.” It’s an opportunity for art lovers to meet the artists, have some food and enjoy a cocktail while wandering one of the most exciting venues in town: a collection of seven galleries filled with a diverse mix of contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists.
Apr
5
to
10
Climate Stories Collaborative Showcase
April 5 - 10, 2019
The Climate Stories Collaborative will host a showcase of works produced by students enrolled in courses across the university. This exhibit and associated events at HOW Space will feature visual and performance pieces expressing the stories of those who are affected by and/or taking action to address climate change.
Apr
5
The World of Musicals
April 5, 2019
7:00 pm
The World of Musicals brings the very best of musical theatre to life. This captivating production is an emotional journey through the great world of musicals that will leave audiences spell-bound and singing along with their favorite show tunes from the movies and musicals they love.
Apr
8
Moisés Kaufman – Lecture: “Theater in 2018 - The Vicinity of Hope”
April 8, 2019
7:00 pm
Moisés Kaufman is the founder and artistic director of Tectonic Theater Project, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated director and playwright, and a 2015 recipient of the National Medal of Arts. His play “The Laramie Project” is about the community of Laramie, Wyoming, in the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, who was a gay student at the University of Wyoming. The murder, which was denounced as a hate crime, sparked a national debate.
Apr
9
Reading and book signing with ‘The Laramie Project’ author Moisés Kaufman
April 9, 2019
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Moisés Kaufman is co-author of the play “The Laramie Project,” which explores the community of Laramie, Wisconsin, following the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard.
Apr
9
Tai Chi
April 9, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Apr
9
Visual Journaling
April 9, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Apr
11
to
12
2019 New River Symposium
April 11 - 12, 2019
The biannual New River Symposium celebrates the ecological and social values of the New River bringing together the river’s diverse constituents, while providing a forum for partnership, research and policy development.
Apr
11
to
14
Valborg 25
April 11 - 14, 2019
Mark your calendars! The Department of Theatre and Dance will host the first-ever alumni reunion weekend to celebrate the 25th annivesary of Valborg Theatre, and you're invited. The weekend includes master classes and panel discussions, an alumni dinner and open mic night and a picnic at Valle Crucis Park topped off with a gala and performace of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Apr
12
Inkalicious
April 12, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Apr
16
Tai Chi
April 16, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Apr
16
Visual Journaling
April 16, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Apr
17
ArtTALKS: Elizabeth Alexander with sound by Todd Bowser
April 17, 2019
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The artists of the Turchin Center exhibition “The Great Enemy of Truth by Elizabeth Alexander with sound by Todd Bowser” will discuss their collaborative process, perform, and answer questions from the audience.
Apr
22
Paint Night
April 22, 2019
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Unleash your creative spirit with a step-by-step paint class! Follow along with our instructor to create your own little masterpiece.
Apr
26
Inkalicious
April 26, 2019
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An ongoing open studio experience that explores the magic of alcohol inks. Experienced inkers and novices alike play with the vibrant medium, often finding success as they explore new ways of creating art. There is a fun intergenerational aspect to the class when Appalachian students attend, bringing laughter and music.
Apr
30
Tai Chi
April 30, 2019
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition—a series of very specific integrated postures in fluid sequence—that today is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. These movements are low impact and, unlike most acts of everyday living, can challenge balance, strength, and focus as participants strive for unity and harmonious connections. Among the common benefits of Tai Chi are increased range of motion, improved sleep patterns, reduced anxiety, and better self-awareness.
Apr
30
Visual Journaling
April 30, 2019
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Whether you're a regular visual journaler or just getting started, these two-hour open studios provide opportunity to draw, doodle, cut, collage, paint, paste, and write reflectively in a relaxed and inspiring group setting.
Jun
7
to
Dec
7
Refugee: Bill Brown
Jun 7 - Dec 7, 2019
According to the Global Citizen there are an estimated 25.4 million refugees worldwide and that number is growing. Regionally beloved artist and philanthropist, Bill Brown wanted to do something to help relieve this international crisis. The sculptor turned to what he knows best—creating his Refugee Series.
Jul
3
ArtTALKS: Bill Brown
July 3, 2019
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
According to the Global Citizen there are an estimated 25.4 million refugees worldwide and that number is growing. The United Nations Refugee Agency reports that of that number, over 52% are children. Regionally beloved artist and philanthropist, Bill Brown will talk about why he decided to create his refugee series as a way for one artist to make a difference in the world by contributing to the awareness of the crisis and encouraging others to do the same.
Jul
5
Summer Exhibition Celebration
July 5, 2019
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Several times a year, to celebrate new exhibitions, the Turchin Center invites the public inside after hours, to “engage, discover and connect through the arts.” It’s an opportunity for art lovers to meet the artists, have some food and enjoy a cocktail while wandering one of the most exciting venues in town: a collection of seven galleries filled with a diverse mix of contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists.

News

Blakeley Rogers ’17 pursues sustainability in apparel design through her career at Carter’s/OshKosh B’Gosh
December 17, 2018
Blakeley Rogers ’17 succeeded academically and built a strong network while at Appalachian. Now she is an assistant technical designer at Carter’s/OshKosh B’Gosh in Atlanta.
Appalachian student wins prestigious furniture industry award
November 19, 2018
Ryan Decker, a senior industrial design major with a concentration in furniture design, received a Pinnacle Award from the International Society of Furniture Designers for his cabinet design titled “Warden of Wallop Park.”
Sport coat design of Appalachian alumni wins Garden and Gun Made in the South Award
November 7, 2018
The winning sport coat designed by Appalachian alumni Bradley Rhyne ’07 and Filipe Ho ’07, college roommates and co-founders of Charlotte-based menswear line OLE MASON JAR, features “trim lines and an emphasis on tradition.”
At Appalachian, chef Monica Smith ‘put some meat to her love of food’
November 2, 2018
Smith, a 1994 graduate of Appalachian’s nutrition and foods program, shares her accomplishments and passions related to cooking, as well as her fond memories of Appalachian.