Spring might be just right around the corner, but at the Harlan Center, beautiful images of winter in all the season’s glistening glory are on display within the facility’s art gallery. Organized by members of The Harlan County Arts Council, the winter photography exhibition titled “Appalachian Winter” can been seen at the Harlan Center through March 21.

The “Appalachian Winter” exhibit currently on display at The Harlan Center includes the work of some of the organization’s photographers. Those with their winter images on display include Christopher Jones, George Hall, as well as McDaniels.

The three award-winning photographers have images of snow-capped mountain tops on display, along with frozen streams, popular Harlan County structures like the Pine Mountain Settlement School Chapel, and other wintry landscape art that are sure to captivate.

Jones has over 30 years of photography experience under his belt. He has been a photographer for the Harlan Enterprise, as well as other regional newspapers, and is perhaps best known for his award-winning sports photography. Jones has also captured awards for his landscape photography.

Hall has over 25 years experience as a highly-sought-after portrait photographer. He has a well-established reputation as a portrait photographer, having had a studio in Harlan for several years and having been a school photographer for a good number of years.

While portrait photography is Hall’s niche, he also has a talent for landscape photography, and he enjoys photographing some of Harlan County’s historic sites and buildings in all seasons.

McDaniels has been shooting photography since her college days. She honed her shooting skills when she became a reporter for The Harlan Enterprise. Both McDaniels and Jones had the opportunity to shoot breaking news and feature photography together as Enterprise employees.

McDaniel is an award-winning photojournalist. She said her favorite photography genres were landscape and documentary. She has most recently gotten into wildlife photography.

Jones said he enjoyed photography because it not only better connected him to his artistic roots, but to his native roots, as well.

“The arts give us the opportunity to perceive unique beauty and gain an emotional connection, thus making life much more satisfying,” Jones said. “I applaud The Harlan County Arts Council for giving local artists the opportunity to display their work and to also form a camaraderie with one another.”

Hall said he liked the concept of the winter exhibit because some of the county’s most brilliant scenes were captured in the snow.

“There’s something really artistic about the lay of the land when it snows,” Hall said. “And our historic buildings – when they are covered in snow — it really is a sight to behold.”

The gallery portion of the Harlan Center is located on the upper level of the facility. “Appalachian Winter” can be viewed at the center during business hours, which is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the Harlan County Arts Council and how you can become involved, contact McDaniels at 606-573-4223.

The Harlan County Arts Council is a local organization comprised of varied artisans dedicated to not only promoting the arts in Harlan County, but also utilizing their talents to enrich their communities through exhibitions and special programming.