Lynn Earnest is a contemporary, Appalachian, draftswoman who weaves together history, art, and the essence of place. Similar to a mathematical proof, Earnest leaves the history of her mark making, thereby allowing the audience to see how she has arrived at a particular conclusion. For several years, Earnest has been researching the 1908 Messina earthquake which struck in the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Calabria, on December 28, 1908, causing a devastating tsunami–it is considered the most destructive earthquake to ever hit Europe. Earnest draws the still visible aftermath of this earth-shattering event by capturing the old architectural structures in Calabria, Italy. As a child, Earnest recalls the story of the earthquake being recounted to her by her Italian grandparents. Earnest notes, “The area [Calabria] is renowned for its beauty and, hopefully, the inspiration for this villa series of drawings will move those who see them to catch a glimpse of a style of life which celebrates the best of its people, its land and its spirit.” Through these drawings, Lynn Earnest weaves together the past and present by exploring her early American ancestry and her Italian heritage within the region.