April 17, 5-9 pm, The Clay Center Art Museum (Charleston, WV) - Southern West Virginia Photovoice Exhibit and Public Reception. Public exhibit with over 100 "photostories" (photograph with narrative) from the forty Photovoice participants, across the five participating communities. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on display from April 15-April 19.

For the past seven months, 40 women from five communities in Southern West Virginia have been participating in a Photovoice project to "tell the story" of their communities. This project is an effort to increase civic engagement in rural communities and to give voice to residents' concerns and ideas for change.

In September of 2008, 40 women were given digital cameras and began taking pictures of the strengths and assets of their communities, the unique character of life in the region, and the problems and issues of concern in their areas. The five Photovoice groups have been meeting every month to share their photographs, discuss common themes, create "photostories" (photographs with written narratives), and develop project ideas to address problems they have identified. In March and April of this year, each group will hold an exhibit and local presentation in their community to share their photostories and project ideas with the public and elected officials.

This project has been made possible through the generous support of Cabin Creek Health Systems, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, West Virginia Development Office/Appalachian Regional Commission Flex-E-Grant Program, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, University of Oregon Sociology Department, Photographic Production Services, and the Clay Center.