Arts Archives - Our Towns

Collin Cunningham, The Land
December 15, 2025

This story was republished from thelandcle.org This story delights us at Our Towns as an example that pulls together several of our pet passions: citizen engagement, local volunteer participation, education…

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Citizen Engagement

‘Catch Them Doing Something Good.’

Deborah Fallows
November 23, 2025

In communities large and small across the country, citizens are finding new ways to work together to meet the challenges of this time.

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Civic Life

The Enduring Power of Place

James Fallows
March 21, 2024

Americans like to know where they are from—and like to think about where they might go. These contradictory realities are part of America's past, and of its future opportunities.

The Reading Garden, outside of the Dillsburg Area Public Library.

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Libraries

A Library Garden Celebrates Reading, Art, and Nature

Jordan Sandman
September 1, 2022

In 2015, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania relocated the town's library to a bigger space to better serve its growing population. A year later, when tragedy struck, the community stepped up to grow the library to include a reading garden.

Historical view of the Amphitheater at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, scene of Friday, Aug. 12's attack on Salman Rushdie. [Image from New York Public Library via Wikimedia Commons.]

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Arts

What Happened at Chautauqua, and Why It Matters

Deborah Fallows and James Fallows
August 13, 2022

Friday, Aug. 12, an assailant rushed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution. He stabbed Salman Rushdie in the neck and abdomen. Rushdie was not the only victim in this attack.

Mac Love (center) stands in front of a mural reading "beautiful" with fellow Art x Love team members Josy Jones, Dee McCall, Gaby Barnes, and Patrick Richards (left to right) who were a part of the @Play project in Akron. Photo courtesy of Art x Love.

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Citizen Engagement

An Outsider Works with Insiders: Examples from Akron and Cleveland

Alex Bieler and Ben Speggen
August 10, 2022

Mac Love, who has spent much of his life outside Ohio, uses new technologies to bring community residents and college students together. That collaborative approach is now helping citizens’ voices be heard and is driving meaningful change in their neighborhoods.

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Civic Life

Inside Our Towns: PA Humanities

Ben Speggen and Evan Sanford
June 27, 2022

A look at Humanities in the 21st century, the power of storytelling in community development, and more.

The contents of the railcar found in the Children’s Holocaust Museum at Whitwell Middle School.

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Education

The Paper Clips Project: Students Bring Holocaust History to Southeastern Tennessee

Alex Bieler
June 14, 2022

Whitwell, Tennessee has become the center for a world-renowned cultural education project and Holocaust memorial.

Angela Zerad plays the Ukrainian national anthem at her assisted living facility

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Arts

Think Global, Perform Local

Ben Speggen
March 24, 2022

Troubled by the war in Ukraine, 100-year-old Angie Zerad wanted to do something. With help from her daughter, she began the daily ritual of playing the Ukrainian national anthem.

Charly Hamilton, reciting a passage from Julius Caesar, in front of his renowned "Wonder Wall" mural in Charleston, West Virginia. (Courtesy of Steve Ascher / HBO.)

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Public Art

In Honor of Charly Jupiter Hamilton

James Fallows
September 23, 2021

A person who became the soul of his community, explains his vision—in art, and in memorable words.

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Arts

A New Host for Mountain Stage

James Fallows
September 10, 2021

The founder of a popular and influential NPR program brings on a new host.

Charly Jupiter Hamilton Street Dedication at Wonder Mural

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Public Art

Charleston, West Virginia Celebrates Charly Jupiter Hamilton

Ben Speggen
July 24, 2021

“‘The Wonder Mural’ by Charly Hamilton changed an entire community. Through inclusion, Charly made a piece for the community by literally painting the community.”

aerial look at Charleston, West Virginia

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Economic Development

Revitalizing Charleston, West Virginia Brick by Brick

Ben Speggen
June 4, 2021

Revitalizing Charleston, West Virginia Brick by Brick

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Education

History Come Alive – and Livestreamed!

Ben Speggen
May 7, 2021

Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration in Columbus, Mississippi now available on YouTube.

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Civic Life

A Vibrant American Musical Career, far From America’s Cultural Capitals

James Fallows
April 12, 2021

What Larry Groce discovered by launching a national radio program from an out-of-the-way location

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Economic Development

Meet Erie: A rust belt region continues to navigate its renaissance through a pandemic

Ben Speggen
April 2, 2021

Local filmmakers take to their streets examines the economic, cultural, and social impacts of Covid-19 during the summer of 2020 through this short film series.