On Thursday, Ohio University Southern’s Gallery and Spriggs Auditorium were filled with artists and writers in celebration of 10th annual Women of Appalachia Project.

The event featured female artists living in or with strong ties to Appalachia from throughout Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

WOAP founder Kari Gunter-Seymour said the mission of Women of Appalachia is to address discrimination of Appalachians, particularly women, by showcasing the way the region of Appalachia influences the art, poetry, stories and songs of women.

The campus Art Gallery and adjoining space in the Dingus Technology Center provided a backdrop for mixed media, paintings, collage, sculpture, bead work and glass created by 34 artists from across the region.

“Ohio Southern supports our region’s art,” said OUS dean Nicole Pennington. “I am thrilled we are able to bring this high caliber of juried art and writing from some of Appalachia’s best women artists to our campus for our students and the community.”

The Women Speak portion of the celebration featured 11 writers who shared their poetry, stories, essays and songs. In all, 32 women writers were selected for this year’s project.

Gunter-Seymour said the project brings together women from diverse backgrounds, ages and experiences to embrace the stereotype and show the whole woman; beyond the superficial factors that people use to judge her.

The Women of Appalachia Project art exhibit will be on display in the Ohio University Southern Gallery through Dec. 15. The Gallery is located in the Dingus Technology Center at 1804 Liberty Ave., Ironton, Ohio.

For more information go to www.womenofappalachia.com or visit WOAP on Facebook at facebook.com/WomenofAppalachiaProject. For questions, email womenofappalachia@gmail.com. For questions about the exhibit at Ohio Southern or to arrange a tour, please call 740-533-4593.