Empowering West Virginia Youth Through Art
5 Questions with Robby Moore, Appalachia Reframed May Grant Recipient
Meet the visionary artist and community leader, Robby Moore, whose passion for fostering positive change and empowerment in Beckley, WV, is the driving force behind the East Beckley Art Club. Recognizing the need for accessible programming and mentorship, he is bridging the gap for young individuals in neighborhoods that have often been underserved. Through printmaking, he is providing valuable skills and an avenue for self-expression to the residents of his hometown. Keep reading to learn about his aspirations for the future, where underserved communities like East Beckley can thrive, and young individuals become leaders through the transformative power of art.
What inspired you to pursue your current project?
I see a need for artists and leaders in my community to provide programming, mentorship and opportunities to young people who live in the neighborhoods I grew up in and currently live in Beckley, WV. I believe that the Arts can facilitate most issues, and I am addressing this concern with printmaking and the Arts. I love printmaking because it is functional and beautiful. And each press or pull bears the printer’s touch and effort. Printmaking is also a great way to express your vision or message to the masses. I want to give young people in my hometown these skills to use and empower themselves.
In terms of audience and community, who are you trying to impact with this project?
I am trying to impact Beckley residents who live in the city’s wards 4 and 5.
What is the key message that you want your audience to take away from your project?
I want families in East Beckley to know there is accessible Arts programming to help young people learn practical skills, including leadership, organizational and business skills.
What do you hope to see for the future of Appalachia — and how does your project fit into that?
I want my project to concentrate on these sections of East Beckley, because these areas are the most neglected and maligned; because of this they are most underserved. In my 20 year experience in serving my community through the Arts, I have found that the young people who live in East Beckley are the last to benefit from funding and programming gained by their own statistics.
I want the young people in East Beckley to teach other young people in communities like theirs and empower themselves and their neighbors through the Arts.
What’s one cool thing that you want people to know about your community that they couldn’t find out by just googling it?
My community, like all communities in WV, have a population of people who love our state despite being ignored and challenged. We are devoted to making our state better through the power of the Arts.
Check out Robby’s website and Instagram to see his art and keep up with the East Beckley Art Club.
Appalachia Reframed supports the next generation of Appalachians by funding community-focused projects that depict a hopeful future for the region. Each month the program awards a grant of $1,000 to a creator and changemaker in Central Appalachia. Through small investments in passionate people, we’re sparking conversations and driving momentum for change.
