Savage Mountain Punk Arts is an organization dedicated to the role of punk arts in a variety of media (most notably music, visual arts, fashion, and literature) in Appalachian culture from the 1970's to today in a regional, national, and international context. This includes, but is not limited to, the presentation and exhibition of punk arts, educational efforts about the broader cultural importance of punk, and support for the creation and distribution of new works.
February 19, 2023
Gerry LaFemina is the founder and promoter of the Savage Mountain Punk Festival. He’s also a Professor of English at Frostburg State University, where he’s taught since 2004, and the author of numerous books of poetry, fiction, and essays. A noted educator and arts activist, LaFemina’s served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), the Allegany Arts Council, and FrostburgFirst, of which he was President 2017-2018. A punk and ska musician since 1983, having played with numerous bands including Tom Collins and the Cocktail Shakers, The Furious Hours, and The Downstrokes, he was director of the Frostburg Center for Literary Arts from 2003 to 2016, working on literary arts outreach, education, and community building. He’s used that skill set since then to promote Savage Mountain shows and the literary and punk arts in Western Maryland and beyond.
