The Appalachian Arts Alliance is a 501 c3 rural arts organization based in the heart of downtown Hazard, KY. The Appalachian Arts Alliance owns and operates the ArtStation, a center for all things arts and culture. This former Greyhound Bus Station opened in July 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Since its opening the ArtStation has been the center of downtown revitalization and economic development. In 2022, AAA had a reach of just over 10K participants in individualized programming, community based programming, community events and more. The Appalachian Arts Alliance is currently in a place of growth, as we are increasing staffing, and building capacity. With the launch of a 3-million dollar capital campaign this year, the organization is on its way to remodeling the second story of the ArtStation to create office and instruction space, meeting space, and storage. With the addition of the second-floor space, AAA will be able to expand in multiple capacities. While 2023 is the 10-year anniversary of the Appalachian Arts Alliance, our organization struggled to find our identity and role that we played in the community for several years. With true Appalachian Resiliency, a community with the desire for arts, and creativity, and the support of many donors, funders, and philanthropists, our organization now plays a vital role in defining what is possible in Appalachia, as we navigate through a post-coal, pandemic, and flooded economy. Can’t find what you’re looking for here? Stop by the ArtStation, pay us a visit, and let us tell you the role that the arts have played in reshaping our community and region.
Tim Deaton, Executive Director
“Appalachian Arts Alliance infuses education, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment to ensure the creative economy is a driving fore in redefining what is possible in Appalachia.”
“Sustaining and Inspiring Appalachia’s Future through equitable access to Arts Education.”
The Appalachian Arts Alliance, its officers, and staff, in alignment with our Mission and Vision, strive to create an environment where all members of the human race have equitable access to quality arts education and community empowerment opportunities and programming. We believe that true Appalachian resiliency and strength comes from our diversity. AAA celebrates the visible and invisible qualities that make each of us unique, including race, gender, age, sexuality, ability, religion, national origin, gender identity, and other identities. The Appalachian Arts Alliance is committed to continuing to grow a creative and prosperous community by aligning our culture and practices to be a beacon of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people.
Timothy Deaton, is the Executive Director of the Appalachian Arts Alliance. After studying Music and Theatre Education at Morehead State University, and a short stent in New York performing in numerous Theatrical and Operatic Productions, Tim returned to the Mountains, where his heart had remained.
Tim has a passion for community, the arts, and Appalachia. Tim first came to the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. He resigned from the board, applied and became the new Executive Director in November of 2019. Tim led the organization through the construction of the ArtStation while simultaneously leading us through a global pandemic. Tim has brought a new life and energy to AAA, his ability to develop programs, fundraise, and strategize, has helped AAA become a regional leader in the Arts, while helping to lead his community through a major revitalization.
Tim is a trained vocalist, actor, and dancer. His leadership as a young, queer, professional in the region has been a shining example of overcoming obstacles and true Appalachian Resiliency. Through AAA, Tim has integrated arts, culture and design in to efforts that have strengthened our community, thereby preserving it for generations to come.
Director of Education
Lindsey Branson is from Viper, Kentucky. That’s the place where she fell in love with all things that involve the arts. Always participating in choirs, singing competitions, and that eventually led to playing instruments.
Director of Operations
Director of Multimedia Relations
Ren Little is someone who is truly passionate about the arts and their hometown of Hazard, Kentucky. Growing up, they were heavily involved in various activities such as their church/school choirs, speech & debate, drama team, and theatre performances with the Little Theatre of Hazard. It is evident that their love for the arts runs deep.
Ren graduated from Hazard High School in 2016 and continued their education at Alice Lloyd College before moving to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky. While living in Lexington, they worked at Starbucks and discovered their affinity for working with people. However, their heart eventually led them back to their hometown of Hazard where they began working at Hazard Coffee Company. Working at Hazard Coffee Company allowed Ren to build strong and long-lasting relationships with their customers. Throughout their career, Ren has also worked intermittently at various non-profits in Hazard including Redbud Financial Alternatives, Mountain Association, and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. They strive to be a steward of Hazard with a steadfast dedication to making a positive impact in their community.
They are known for cultivating a warm and welcoming environment while simultaneously managing several responsibilities such as customer relations, event coordination, and team training. It is this unique combination of skills that led Ren to become the Community Arts and Design Associate at the Appalachian Arts Alliance in 2023. Today, as the Director of Multimedia Relations, Ren uses their artistic vision and communication expertise to amplify the organization’s mission, support local artists, and continue enriching the cultural landscape of Eastern Kentucky.
Creative Lead: Theatre + Dance
Tagan has a BFA aimed in musical theatre from Eastern Kentucky University. She’s trained in classical voice for 9 years, studying under Dr. Vertrelle Mickens and Dr. Freida Gebert.
Tagan has sang all across the state in musicals such as The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, The Marvelous Wonderetts and many more. Singing in Europe to Las Vegas, and now Tagan is in Hazard, Kentucky.
She became the official Director of the ArtStation Jr. Players in 2021 during the Appalachian Arts Alliance’s first production of Elf Jr. The Musical. Tagan not only Directs through AAA, but she also teaches dance classes and voice lessons throughout the year.
Administrative Arts Intern
Brack Messer first joined the Appalachian Arts Alliance through a summer internship that was offered to him while he was at Perry Central High School (PCCHS). Since then, Brack’s performance was so stellar, he was asked to continue his work with AAA and he is now an Administrative Art Intern. Brack is an alumnus of PCCHS, where he graduated in May of 2025. While at PCCHS he was a part of the Perry County Commodore Players (2022-2025). During his time with the Perry County Commodore Players, Brack was awarded “Drama Spirit” two years in a row and was also awarded “Leading Man” in his Senior year. During Brack’s time with the company, they competed in several competitions where The Commodore Players took home several awards, including but not excluding “KTA Regionals” (2022-2025) and also placed 2nd in the yearly “EKDAS“ Festival. Brack played several roles throughout his time with the company, including Wadsworth, “Clue”, Chase, “Cry of the Peacock”, etc.
Outside of PCCHS, Brack enrolled at Hazard Community & Technical College (VOTEC) where he plans to pursue a degree as an Electrician. He has classes weekly where he is learning how to wire up residential housing and industrial. Other than his schooling, Brack was raised right in Hazard and plans to stay here for the foreseeable future. Brack has several hobbies which include: fishing, listening to music, and ink-block printmaking. During his internship with the AAA, he got to make several connections with the people of Hazard. He was even able to leave his own special mark on the town of Hazard along with him and several other interns they came up with a special mural to commemorate a school long shutdown in Hazard. Liberty Street High School. The mural now stands behind The Grand which is located on Main Street in Hazard. Brack hopes to continue his work with the AAA to make a difference in the community and make the streets of Hazard a more loving and creative place.
Bailey Richards, President
Dewey Bocook, Vice President
Chris Jarrell, Treasurer
Luke Glaser, Secretary
Frances Everage
Stacie Fugate
Ryan Mosley
Ashlyn Swihart
Beverly Osborne
All board-related questions, concerns, and communications can be sent to: Luke Glaser by emailing: luke.glaser@hazard.kyschools.us