top of page

NKADD employee has photography featured in Team Kentucky Digital Art Gallery

BY MOLLY HAINES, KCADD Public Information Officer | Feb. 3, 2025

Grace Herrmann, a Community Development Specialist with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), was selected to showcase her photography in the Team Kentucky Digital Art Gallery's Fall 2024 Exhibition. Her featured photograph, captured at Pennyrile State Park, highlights Kentucky's natural landscapes and reflects her lifelong appreciation for the state's parks.
The photograph, entitled "Looking Out," was taken during a family hike around the lake at Pennyrile State Park. 
"It was so peaceful, and I wanted to try to capture that feeling," she said.
Growing up, Herrmann spent countless summers exploring Kentucky's state parks, particularly Big Bone Lick and General Butler State Park. Her connection to these landscapes continues to influence her photography, which aims to showcase the often-overlooked beauty of Kentucky.
"When I've traveled abroad and told people I'm from Kentucky, the first things they think of are horse racing and Kentucky Fried Chicken," Herrmann said. "Those are part of our state's identity, but Kentucky's natural beauty is something I don't think is talked about enough. We have a diverse landscape from caves to plains, mountains to rivers. This photo is one of my favorites because it truly reflects the beauty of my home state." 
Herrmann's perspective on Kentucky's communities and landscapes has also been shaped by her work with NKADD, where she engages with diverse communities and their unique challenges and opportunities. 
"I've not worked with NKADD for very long, but I feel I am learning new information every day," she said. "I've visited areas I had heard of but never been to before and learned about their successes and their needs. There are so many different communities in this area, all with their own stories, and I'm really enjoying going out into each and connecting with them."
Photography has been a passion for Herrmann since childhood, offering her a way to capture her unique perspective on the world. 
"If you have 10 people taking a photograph of the same scene, each will be different because each person will focus on what they feel is most important," she added. "That idea of different perspectives is something I see in my role at NKADD as well. I talk to many people in the community with different perspectives on the same issues, though they often share the same goals."
Being featured in the Team Kentucky Digital Art Gallery is a meaningful milestone for Herrmann, who has only recently begun sharing her photography with a broader audience. 
"This exhibit celebrates Kentucky's state parks, and since I grew up exploring them, I was really excited to have one of my photos included," she added. "I hope people see just how beautiful Kentucky and its state parks can be and feel inspired to go out and explore them for themselves." 

To view the Fall 2024 Team Kentucky Digital Art Gallery Exhibition, visit https://governor.ky.gov/Pages/Team-Kentucky-Gallery-Fall-2024.aspx

bottom of page