In a previous episode, you heard us rave about his cookies, but it is time to hear from the multi-talented Kevin Umbel himself. In the recording, we discuss how a three-day trip to Fayetteville led to his calling the place home. We also discuss the evolution of his photography, the influence life experiences play on his creations, and most importantly, where you can find his works of culinary art. All joking aside, Kevin is a downright cool dude. If you are a creator of any kind you will take something from listening to him.

Kevin Umbel Instagram

Yumbel Cookie Instagram


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MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

 If you don't recognize Nicholas Tankersley's name, you will likely immediately recognize his graphic design work as NDTank, or his work under his brand, Lost Appalachia Trading Company. In this episode, we discuss how a cat on a motorcycle sparked a career in illustration and apparel, gig posters and the many ways that he "stumbled" into something he enjoys. We also discuss the creation of Lost Appalachia Trading Company which is appropriately nestled below The LaFayette Flats.   

In that vein, Nicholas also wanted us to include the following: "I want to thank Shawn Means and Amy Mclaughlin for their support and for allowing me to turn their space into a home for Lost Appalachia Trading Company."

NDTank Instagram
NDTank.com

Lost Appalachia Instagram
LostAppalachia.com

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

In our second recording in Fayetteville, we speak to Amy McLaughlin and Shawn Means, the pair responsible for Lafayette Flats, a short-term vacation rental which is just as much an art gallery. We discuss how a self-proclaimed "nerdy assignment" turned into one of the best regional art collections available to the public, the hurdles they overcame to make the Lafayette Flats a reality and the New River Gorge Creative Residency. We hope you enjoy the episode and appreciate the amount of effort these folks put into supporting the arts.

Lafayette Flats Instagram

LafayetteFlats.com

Creative Artist Residency

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

We are on the road again, this time to Fayetteville, WV recording from The Lafayette Flats. Our first recording is with the duo behind The Apocryphal Holler, a DIY house show series. In this episode, we discuss how the two became fast friends over their love for music,  and the obstacles of hosting live music in an intimate setting. Together, they are a shining example of people in our region stepping up to fill a void they see in their community. We hope that you give them a follow and check out their next show!


Apocryphal Holler Instagram


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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

Bob Keeney is a stained glass artist whose interest for the craft was spurred after receiving a beginner book as a gift nearly twenty years ago. In the episode, we discuss his process, past commissions and his other pastime, garlic farming. He also makes us feel a little less alone when it comes to hanging onto scrap material! Overall, Bob is a very humble guy making incredible work because he enjoys it, which is something we should all get behind!

Bob Keeney Instagram and Facebook


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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

Elaine McMillion Sheldon is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose storytelling often gravitates towards the misunderstood or underrepresented. While in Huntington for the Appalachian Film Festival, she was kind enough to hang out with us prior to screening her new film, "King Coal," a film exploring the cultural nuances following coal's departure and the potential that remains within the region.

In the recording, we discuss her early years as an Oprah-admiring, T-shirt sending, coal miner's daughter who adapted to tell her stories via film after changes in the media landscape. However, that change ultimately opened the door to telling stories in a more thorough, thoughtful manner. Her work has resulted in well-deserved praise, however, her passion to tell impactful stories remains unchanged by the early success in her relatively young career. We hope you enjoy the episode and knowing that we have folks like Elaine out in the world representing our region.
 
Upcoming screenings for King Coal

ElaineMcmillionSheldon.com

KingCoalFilm.com

Heroin(e) and Recovery Boys

HollowDocumentary.com

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

Rachel Allinder is an educator turned CEO of the Foundry Theater, the new face behind the old venue at City Hall in Huntington, West Virginia. In this episode, we discuss the transition from the classroom, the revamping of the theater and the Appalachian Film Festival (click here for tickets), which is making its return Aug. 18-20, 2023. 

FoundryTheater.org

Foundry Instagram

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

Few folks have had a greater impact on our region's art scene than Nik Botkin.  If you don't know him as a painter, photographer or award-winning sculptor, then you might recognize his name from his time spent as owner of the Apartment Earth Gallery in Charleston, WV, where he bolstered the region's art community for many years.

In this episode, we discuss how his experiences growing up in the Kanawha Valley influenced his work, the motivation behind creating nature-related work and the impact his family had on his drive to create art. 

NikBotkin.com

Nik's Instagram

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

In our final recording from our road trip to Princeton we speak to illustrator and storyteller Chase Bowman, also known as Oddy Gumption. Recorded on a spring day amongst chirping birds and children at play, we discussed how his love for storytelling gave birth to his interest in illustration.

All told, it might be one of our favorite recordings because it truly felt like a representation of life throughout our region. With that being said, our region does not always care for its people equally and Chase gave a wonderful account of his reasons to stay and flourish in a place that can be considered less than hospitable. We truly hope you take as much from this recording as we did!

Chase's Instagram

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard

In this episode, we hear the familiar voice  of Courtney Chapman as she tells us about the current exhibition "How Close is That to Richmond?" currently on display in the Carroll Gallery at Marshall University. Courtney has been busy over the last year pivoting to her new role as gallery director at Marshall University.  "How Close is That to Richmond" is her first curated exhibit in her new role and showcases artist from throughout the state.

One such artist is Sarah McDermott (who you will also hear in this episode recording), a printmaker and professor at Marshall. Sarah gives us  some insight into the piece she chose to submit for the exhibit as well as some other shows she has coming up.  The closing show is July 6, 5-6:30 p.m. at this address! Please come by and say hello!

Click here for Directions to the Carroll Gallery

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If you enjoy the podcast, please consider giving us a review. If you'd like to reach out to us, we can also be contacted by email: [email protected]

MountainMadePodcast.com

Music Provided by: Darrin Hacquard