Crew . . .

At the time of this photo, I was working for the designated response entity. On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef, releasing nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's pristine, biologically rich, Prince William Sound. Wildlife and human society was devastated. Although officials have declared the area Clean, still today, if you camp on one of the Sound's many pebble beaches, in the morning you will find the floor of your tent black with crude.

—Art Director—
Leah Bayens

Leah Bayens lives on a family farm near Danville, Kentucky with four dogs, a cat, and her partner, Bruce. As a Ph.D. candidate at UK, she studies the literary history of agriculture and environmental justice, and as a civilian, she tries her hand at undermining industrial ag with forays into gardening and putting food by. She counts potluck dinners, freshwater swimming, and anti-MTR demonstrations among her favorite pastimes. She's also pleased to serve as an undergraduate composition and literature instructor as well as an advisor to English and linguistics majors.

Amanda Fickey is currently a PhD student in the Department of Geography at the University of Kentucky. Amanda attended the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate as well, completing her B.A. in History in 2004. Building on her degree in History, Amanda accepted a graduate assistantship at Western Kentucky University in the Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology. After obtaining a M.A. in Folk Studies, Amanda headed into the field. Serving as the Arts and Culture Outreach Coordinator at The Center for Rural Development, Amanda spent a year traveling throughout Eastern Kentucky, organizing arts education outreach programs and working with artists/crafters throughout the region. To further her skills and strengthen her ability to create social change, Amanda returned to UK. In Fall 2008, Amanda accepted a teaching assistantship in the Department of Geography where her primary study area is Eastern Kentucky. Amanda is interested in shifts taking place in the region's craft industry, emphasizing the influence of neo-liberal policies.

Designer of the An Evening with the Mountain Keepers logo Kathy McCullough was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She's a mixed-media artist, who also coordinates service learning and teaches composition for the UK Writing Program. During the coming year she will travel in Africa and Asia. Living primarily in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, she will blog about her experiences.