Covington, KY – (April 4, 2025) Join The Carnegie and the Behringer-Crawford Museum on Wednesday, April 23, for a celebration of Kentucky artist Harlan Hubbard’s remarkable life and work. Held beneath The Spirit of Covington (1934)—Hubbard’s largest mural—the event features a conversation with Jessica K. Whitehead, author of Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard, followed by a performance of Piano Trio No. 2: PAYNE HOLLOW by Louisville composer Daniel Gilliam.
Writer, artist, and sustainability pioneer Harlan Hubbard (1900–1988) lived a quiet, humble life, yet remains deeply woven into Kentucky’s history. While many recognize his shantyboat journey with his wife, Anna, or their hand-built home at Payne Hollow, few know the full story. Hubbard detailed their lifestyle in Payne Hollow and Journals, 1929-1944. Their friend, author Wendell Berry, also wrote about their remarkable way of life.
Author Jessica K. Whitehead will share insights from her comprehensive biography, Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard. Drawing from journals, letters, paintings, and sketches, Whitehead paints a rich portrait of Harlan and his wife, Anna, and their remarkable way of life.
“Whitehead has made this icon fully human,” says Richard Taylor, former Kentucky Poet Laureate “examining the mythos of a legendary Kentuckian to reveal the essential Hubbard, a man we would have to invent if he had not existed.”
After Whitehead’s remarks, experience Piano Trio No. 2: PAYNE HOLLOW by Louisville composer Daniel Gilliam. Performed by members of the NouLou Chamber Players, this piece celebrates the Hubbards’ artistic spirit and deep love of classical music.
About Jessica K. Whitehead: Jessica K. Whitehead is the senior curator of collections for the Kentucky Derby Museum, where she has recently written The History of the Kentucky Derby in 75 Objects, published in 2024 by the University Press of Kentucky, and Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard, published by the Press in 2025. Outside of the Derby Museum, Jessica has studied Harlan Hubbard since her student days at Hanover College (Class of 2011), curating multiple exhibits in the region and providing the introduction to The Watercolors of Harlan Hubbard: From the Collection of Bill and Flo Caddell, released in 2021.
About Daniel Gilliam: Daniel Gilliam is a composer from & living in Louisville, Kentucky. He was an associate composer in 2020 at the Atlantic Center for Arts working with Jennifer Higdon, and was a resident at Copland House in 2017. Gilliam has been commissioned, performed by & collaborated with NouLou Chamber Players, the Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville Ballet, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, pianist Lara Downes, violinist Rob Simonds, LONGLEASH, Steven Paul Spears, Youth Performing Arts School Chamber Choir (Louisville), Kentucky Center Chamber Players, & Jason Weinberger/Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony. Gilliam is a founding member of A/Tonal.
NouLou Chamber Players is a vibrant ensemble bringing together Louisville’s elite classical musicians to provide its community with exceptional music-making outside of the traditional concert hall. Their salon style of performing in intimate settings is reminiscent of the way chamber music was enjoyed centuries ago, but with a fresh take and modern flair.
Tickets are available now at thecarnegie.com/whats-on/driftwood
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About The Carnegie
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.
The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival.
