Un/Canny Appalachia
Nov. 13, 2026 - Nov.19, 2026
Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, November 13, 2026, 4-6 pm
Un/Canny Appalachia is an immersive multi-media exhibition, exploring the complex identity of the region through tales of cryptids, folk magic, and the strange yet familiar.
Bringing together students from Exhibition, Design, and Display; Advanced Exhibition Design; Folk Cultures in Appalachia; and Appalachian Literature, "Un/Canny Appalachia" is a cross-disciplinary collaboration with the Virginia Tech University Libraries Virtual Environments Studio.
The immersive experience aspect of the exhibition featuring spatial audio was made possible by a Collaborative Teaching Grant from the Studios Network in the University Libraries at Virginia Tech. The botanical specimens on view in the exhibition were loaned from the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech. The medicinal herbs on view in the exhibition were loaned by Dr. Brandy McCann.
EXHIBITION TEAM
Exhibition, Design, and Display & Advanced Exhibition Design Students
Liza Morris, Curatorial Lead
Zoe Valderrama, Immersive Lead
Cody Rakes, Graphics Lead
Fiona Aquilo
Enya Armstrong
Damon Brewer
Bahiya Al Door
Andy Dwiwiyanto
Dylan Grossman
Erinn Hogan
Avery Poston
Emma Riggleman
Alyssa Seibel
Illustrators
Fiona Aquilo
Enya Armstrong
Damon Brewer
Syd Spruill
Alyssa Seibel
Emma Riggleman
Dylan Grossman
Taylor Ford
Adelina Meadows-Soto
Cody Rakes
Folk Cultures in Appalachia Students
Tyler Allen
Lex Babcock
Fin Belt
Nat Boling
Jenna Bolt
Andy Borst
Coleman Bowles
Taylor Buckley
Ellie Chamberlin
Ally Chesley
Ronin Dowling
Magnolia Farmer
Peyton Farmer
Coleman G
Nate Gay
Charlotte Gloss
Micah Hamaker
Claire Holliday
Amanda Hudgins
Maria Kinnan
Caitlyn Knatz
Nina Landt
Cedes Martinez
Nick Meyers
Sai Nallani
Cat Nishimuta
John Payne
Addison Pike
Taylor Quaintance
Charlize Rankin
Peyton Reyes
Owen Silva
Charlotte Taylor
Justin Whitley
Drew Williams
Iris Williams
Amelia Winn
Ariana Yerovam
Katherine Yon
Appalachian Literature Students
Maggie Basnight
Connor Bolster
Ava Bruni
Grace Clark
Connelly Cox
Rhiannon Downing
Kane Georges
Julia Gibson
Charlie Hageman
Colleen Hall
Steven Johns
Silvija Kelly
Jordan Kim
Aidan Lewis
Megan McHenry
Black HC Mihm
River Ostrander
Alana Vernon
Josie Whitehouse
Alyssa Yost
Danille Christensen
Associate Professor, Department of English
Scott McDaniel
Visiting Assistant Professor of Appalachian Studies, Department of English
Trevor Finney
Manager, Virtual Environments Studio, University Libraries
Scott Fralin
Exhibits Program Manager & Learning Environments Librarian, University Libraries
Kate Skelly
Armory Gallery Director, Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Visual Arts
SPECIAL THANKS
Dr. Brandy McCann
Herbalist
Sean Sidky
Visiting Assistant Professor in Judaic Studies
Cory Higgs
Visual Rhetorician, Project & Communication Associate, Monuments Across Appalachian Places
Jordan Metzgar
Curator, Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech
The Studios Network at University Libraries