Carol Peachee’s photography has explored cultural history through the things Kentuckians make, whether that’s bourbon and the stills and barrels that produce the spirit, or the barns that dot the landscape of the commonwealth. She describes photography as a “visual engagement with the ongoing narrative of time.”
In her newest book, “Shaker Made,” Peachee’s focuses her lens on the furniture, crafts, and architecture made by the Shakers at Pleasant Hill, a religious community that operated in Mercer County between 1805 and 1910. In stunning black and white images, Peachee captures the meticulous detail that the Shakers put into their products.
“The part of the Shakers’ values that really speaks to me is work as worship,” she says. “They weren’t interested in frills; they were interested in efficiency and perfection.”
Given their vow of celibacy, Shaker communities, which peaked at about 6,000 people, dwindled in the late 1800s and early 1990s. The last colony closed in 1961, and as of a few years ago there were only two living Shakers. Peachee says that leaves their products to stand as the testament to the Shaker saying of “hands to work, hearts to God.”
“There was the hope that they’re creating heaven on earth,” she says.
Peachee’s book features objects of everyday Shaker life selected by Pleasant Hill curator Rebecca Soules. In one image, two pairs of handmade shoes worn by Shaker sisters sit beside a simple, wooden bench. The tranquility of the picture belies a key aspect of Shaker life, the shaking and dancing that punctuated their religious services.
Other photos capture different views of the iconic spiral staircase at the center of the Trustee’s Office. Peachee says she wanted to give a sense of movement to what is otherwise a fixed structural element.
“In many ways, the stairs are almost like music,” she says. “If you look at the stairs from this angle, it could be intense music. If you look at the stairs from this way, it can be soft music.”
Although she captured her images in color, Peachee converted the photos in the book to black and white. She says the monochromatic approach eliminates any visual distractions and invites readers to linger over the details in each picture.
“I like to photograph the intimate,” says Peachee. “I just feel like... there’s so much to sit with there.”
Given their reputation for quality, Shaker-made goods were popular among consumers of that time. Even today, Shaker style remains a sought-after design style. Peachee says that’s ironic given how much the Shakers wanted to transcend the material world. She says the last surviving Shaker sister at Pleasant Hill once lamented that their community might only be remembered for their furniture.
“Which I think was her speaking to (the fact that) there was so much more about this utopian, communal group that accepted you, that transcended gender, race, and capability,” says Peachee.
Kentucky Sports Radio’s New Social Media Guru
Mario Maitland couldn’t have picked a more interesting time to start his job as a digital content creator for Kentucky Sports Radio, the radio show and website created by Matt Jones that’s devoted to University of Kentucky basketball and football. The recent UK grad came on board the week that former men’s basketball coach John Calipari resigned and the school hired former Wildcat player-turned-coach Mark Pope.
“I’ve experienced so much this week,” Maitland says. “On the media side of things and being able to report it and get an interaction with the fans with the ups and downs, it’s been a whole cool week.”
A native of Long Island, New York, Maitland first started following UK during the 2009-2010 season when players including John Wall and Demarcus Cousins led the ‘Cats to a 35-3 record. As a student at UK, Maitland got into podcasting after he created a show for a class project. That assignment turned into What’s Next, a podcast that features Maitland interviewing inspiring people out to make a difference in the world.
“The main thing is keeping it consistent and having a unique podcast that brings value... to the world,” he says.
His guest list so far has included entrepreneurs, thought leaders, musicians, and, of course, athletes. He’s talked with several former UK greats including Cameron Mills, Darius Miller, and Jack Givens.
Although Maitland is only 24, he says he was thrilled to learn about Wildcat legends of yesteryear like Givens, who played on the 1978 NCAA championship team.
“Being able to sit across from him and pick his brain was just unbelievable,” says Maitland. “I was definitely fan-boying.”
As he witnessed the start of a new era of Kentucky basketball, Maitland got to attend the Pope’s first press conference last month and even ask the new coach a question. He said the mood that day in a Rupp Arena packed with Wildcat faithful was “electric.”
“You could see the fans all coming together,” says Maitland. “With Pope coming, you could see that the fan base was all on one page, they were united.”
