Nominees for APPYs announced
It’s awards season across the country, and the Appalachian region of the US is no exception. On Monday, January 23rd, the finalists for all categories of the 2023 Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, or The Appys, were revealed during a live stream from the stage of the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, KY.
According to Jill Hamlin, Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) and the ceremony creator, the nomination process began in the fall, and the official website www.theappyawards.com was flooded with nominees from across the Appalachian region.
“This will officially be our second year since our first was virtual in 2021. We view 2021 as a ‘dress rehearsal.’ Our 2022 live event was amazing; we know that 2023 will be bigger and better. It already is in many ways. We are thrilled with the response to the nomination and voting process. We have seen nominees from all 13 states that make up the Appalachian region,” Hamlin said.
The Appalachian region runs from New York to Mississippi and encompasses multiple locations within 13 states. Those states that are considered Appalachian are: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
“For us to have nominees from each of these states is an amazing testament to the talent and diversity of the region and to the interest in a ceremony that highlights the best the entire region has to offer,” Hamlin said.
According to Hamlin, the finalists represent 11 of the 13 states, and a total of over 250,000 votes were cast to choose these finalists. The finalists now go before the panel of esteemed industry professionals. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Appy Awards.
The 2023 ceremony will be held at The Mountain Arts Center on Saturday, March 18th, with a Red-Carpet Event at 6 pm and the award ceremony beginning at 7 pm. This year’s hosts are Cincinnati TV personality Lacey Roberts and Louisville TV personality JC Phelps. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.macarts.com or by calling 1-888-MAC-ARTS.
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