Expand to read a detailed image description: Photovoice Picture Collage
A collage of photographs from the Southern West Virginia Photovoice Project presents a collection of natural landscapes, local structures, wildlife, and everyday activities. The photographs are arranged around a central panel identifying the project, with the words “Their images ~ Their words ~ Their ideas for change.” The photographs include a sunset over wooded mountains, a deteriorating stone structure, a stained-glass window, a tree-lined road covered with fallen leaves, a waterfall cascading over rocks, and trees displaying autumn foliage. Other photographs depict a chicken outdoors, people enjoying recreational activities on a river, and a cylindrical brick structure. Together, the photographs present contrasting views of the region, including its natural beauty, built environment, recreational opportunities, and distinctive features of rural community life.

The Big Coal River Area Photovoice Group was one of two Photovoice groups located in Boone County, West Virginia and included the communities of Prenter, Seth, Racine, and Ashford. Members of the Big Coal River Area Photovoice Group (in alphabetical order) were:

Billie Marie Bender, Donna Bowles, Nora Dotson, Kay Kinder, Maria Lambert, Misti Pennington, Teresa Perdue, Debbie Santonia, Toni Santonia, Patty Sebok, Nancy Sutphin, and Elizabeth Deal Turner.

From September of 2008 to May of 2009, these thirteen women created more than one hundred photostories telling the story of their area. Their photostories fall within five major themes listed below. Click on a theme to view a selection of the photostories from that category.