News and Features

The The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking is holding monthly webinars on Creative Placemaking. Creative Placemaking is the next big idea in leading communities through healing and recovery. Get the foundation now to forge resilience. Creative placemaking is sustained collaboration among people of diverse professional and personal backgrounds who enhance the places they live, work, and play through art and creative process. The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking is a pioneer in this field and is now offering interactive, engaging webinars to introduce foundational concepts. NCCP webinars help community leaders engage their own creativity to drive healing, recovery and resilience. Check out our 2020-2021 lineup of affordable, monthly webinars. Every webinar is from 2 pm to 3 pm EASTERN, unless otherwise stated. All webinars will be submitted for AICP certification maintenance credits. All webinars are recorded for registrants in case you cannot attend in real time. The $20/webinar fee supports the work of The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking, a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization that offers expertise and peer learning to leaders who seek creative placemaking knowledge and skills to foster more just, equitable, and livable communities through art and creative process. If you have any questions, please reach […]

Ben’s Old Loom Barn, located in Davis, WV, has rugs, placemats, runners, stoles, towels, baskets, afghans, and many other hand crafted items for both home and gifts . The shop features the work of 20 producers of fiber and related arts and takes orders for special items. Find out more.  

The Pocahontas County Arts Council (PCAC) is a nonprofit that promotes local art. They are located at the Green Bank Art Center, Durbin Art Center and the PCAC’s Little Yellow House. PCAC also provides programs in schools and the community throughout Pocahontas County. Their purpose is to build an appreciation of the arts through education and advocacy. Find out more about their work.

Over the next few weeks, The State Arts Office at the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will be facilitating a series of free-form and topic-focused discussions centered around the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on artists and arts organizations in West Virginia. Each session is free to join and will be 1 to 1.5 hours long. Participants may join for any duration of the session. To join a session via Zoom or by phone, see credentials at the end of this email. No need to RSVP. PLEASE NOTE: All peer support sessions will be recorded for future uncommercial use by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.  By entering into a session, you grant the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) permission for the use of your image from the sound and/or video of the Peer-to-Peer session. If you would like to participate but wish to remain as anonymous as possible, it is suggested you call-in or disable your video during the session.   Events in this Series: Friday, July 24, 10 am: Free-Form Discussion for Arts Organization Staff. Share with fellow West Virginia arts and culture organization staff how you are doing, what struggles […]

Kathy Mattea headlines online events on Augusta’s Cajun & Creole Week of July 5th-10th, 2020

Virtual Networking Event for Artists | June 30, 2020

Voting for the Mountain Arts District’s 2020 High School Student Art Contest  begins soon. Members of the public can vote for their favorite art entries on the Mountain Arts District Facebook page from June 12-16, 2020. View the submissions on our website, but please remember to vote on our Facebook page! Students from Randolph, Tucker, Barbour, Upshur, Nicholas and Pocahontas counties submitted their fine art and sculpture pieces. The submissions are entered into a contest on our Facebook page for the “Most Likes”. First place will win $100. The second and third place entries will each win $50. The 4th through 10th entries will be noted awarded the designation of “honorable Mention” (no cash prize). Please vote on our Facebook page. The Mountain Arts District will announce the winners on June 16th on our Facebook page. Thank You to Our Sponsors This contest is sponsored by Ajuga.com and the Mountain Arts District. Any business or person who would like to participate as a sponsor a cash award for the 2020 High School Student Art Show, please contact the Mountain Arts District at mtnartsdistrict@gmail.com.

“I was first introduced to felting in 1993 at an Augusta Heritage Center class with Beth Beede. It was love at first sight!”

(Updated 4/23/2020) Below, we are providing a list of funding and support opportunities for artists. If you come across additional opportunities, let us know so we can include it in our list for our fellow artists. Relief and Assistance from the U.S. Government Due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, if your business has been affected by COVID-19, you can qualify for disaster relief assistance from the federal government. These funds are open to all businesses and nonprofits nationwide who have been affected by the pandemic. Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guarantees This low-interest loan/grant is available to small businesses only, including the self-employed, sole proprietors, freelancers, etc. The loan is designed to cover wages (payroll, 401k contribution, healthcare costs), mortgage interest/rent and utilities. The loan is forgivable (becomes a grant) as long as the recipient uses 75% of the funds toward those items within 8 weeks. You can apply at any SBA (7a) approved bank. Read more. Economic Injury Disaster Loans This low-interest loan program is available thru the SBA for businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The loan allows for a $10,000 advance within 3 days of application that will not have to be repaid. […]

Artistry On Main is an Artist’s Co-op in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Kathryn Gillispie is interviewed by our William Pounds. She works with the non-profit Art in Green Bank to teach art classes after having worked as an art teacher in West Virginia. She also is and has been a long standing artist in pottery, painting, and more. You can find her gallery just off of WV-28 in Green Bank. What is your story as an artist? I had always been interested in art. When I was going to school in the 50s and 60s… okay we’ll date me… there wasn’t much art. I am from West Virginia, but I was from Kanawha County, which is a little richer county. So they did have art in the schools. That is not true in all counties in the state. I always followed an academic path, but I wanted to be a teacher. I thought I wanted to be an elementary teacher, so I went to college, to Glenville State College. I took some elementary art classes and was persuaded to change my field to art. I got an art comprehensive K-12 to become an art teacher. Then I was recruited to Randolph County, in Elkins, to teach, and I started teaching there in […]

This is an interview with JoLynn Powers, who blogs at https://westvirginiamountainmama.com/ and creates public art and murals. She lives in Upshur county and is currently working on restoring the Golden Rule Building in Barbour County. You can find her MAD page here – http://www.madwv.com/item/jolynn-powers/ What was your first experience with art? I am from a creative family. My father was a welder by trade, but also did welding in an artistic way. He did drawings and carvings, very hands oriented – not professionally trained to be an artist. Probably, in the modern day, now, he could make a very good living with his welding artwork. My brother is a professional artist. I think in our family it was just part of who we were. So, I started drawing as little as five or six. I did my first mural at twelve inside my elementary school. I did not realize that I wanted to be an artist for a living or a career until I was much older. So, it has always been something that I had done. I can remember painting a mural in my bedroom in early high school and having a giant collage on my wall, and taking […]

Our featured event for this month is West Virginia Day at the Randolph County Arts Center! ” Designed to highlight our state’s beauty, our West Virginia Celebration is poised to be one of our best attended exhibits, and will be visited by educators, artists, exhibit jurors, and cultural dignitaries from all over the state and beyond.” Rocky Raccoon by MAD Subscriber Maggi Rhudy. The Arts Center Maggi Rhudy

Our featured event for the month, Spring into Art with Artistry on Main (opening reception April 12th) Artistry on main got Spring started right with art showcase and reception at the newly renovated Buckhannon Opera House. It is great to see local art and community revitalization come together! The displays were quite various between knick-knacks, pottery, painting, jewelry, photography, and I am sure more that I am leaving out. Artistry on Main is a Mountain Arts District subscriber – http://www.madwv.com/item/artistry-on-main/ Last month’s featured event can be found here – http://www.madwv.com/thomas-takes-its-art-for-a-walk/

Our featured event for the month, Thomas’s Art Walk of March 16th. So, what goes on at a Thomas art walk? The galleries open up and the people come out. Wine is had and the artists talk about their art. The community celebrates its getting together. If you wonder around, you might just find an impromptu music showcase in a new pottery studio. Thanks for checking us out and catch you next time!

The Arts Center was packed during the kick off of their Forest Festival exhibits… “Light on Water” a photo series by John Warner and their juried art exhibit featuring a plethora of art from professionals and students   The Arts Center

  It’s an interview with Michael and Carrie Kline! Michael and Carrie Kline are musicians, Folk historians, archivists, radio-people, and political activists. In this program by the Mountain Arts District, a brief account of their long story is told, and Michael and Carrie share their views on Music, on History, and on Life. Learn what the Klines have to say regarding: Music History as a Survival Tool The Importance of Taking Action Tradition Education and What Patrick Facemire Needs to Learn to Do with His Dang Tea. Thanks to the Klines for their participation!

Local weaving shop founded by Dorothy Thompson. A working hand weaver’s shop specializing in hand crafted items made by local artisans. Local weaver and community advocate for fiber and related arts. There are 20 producers of fiber and related arts. Ben’s Old Loom Barn has rugs, placemats, runners, stoles, towels, baskets, afghans, and many other hand crafted items for both home and gifts. The shop takes orders for special items. Weaving lessons are also available. Find out more about Ben’s Old Loom Barn here: https://www.facebook.com/bensoldloombarn/

This summer, Elkins Main Street will be continuing their heritage quilt blocks project throughout Elkins. This summer, they’re working on4×4 blocks in addition to the larger 8×8 blocks you can see on the side of the YMCA and Davis Trust buildings. The two quilt squares featured today are the Log Cabin pattern and the Maple Leaf (one of many patchwork designs based on natural objects). Log Cabin was popular during the late 1800s; the Log Cabin block probably became a favorite block among early quilters because it required a minimal amount of cutting and gave them an opportunity to use utilize narrow scraps of fabric. While its design is frequently associated with the pioneer spirit and ruggedness associated with log cabins themselves, by the end of the 1800s many Log Cabin quilts reflected the Crazy Quilt fad and were made in silk and velvet scraps. Even silk and velvet ribbons were used to make the “logs” in what became known as Ribbon Quilts.

This week we are featuring one of Mountain Arts District’s great arts resources, Talbott’s Frameshop. Located at 220 3rd St. in downtown Elkins, Talbott’s is a custom picture framing shop and art gallery located at 220 3rd Street, in the historic “Talbott Building.” Established in the early 1980’s, the frame shop developed out of Talbott Paint & Glass to fill the need for custom framing in Elkins and the surrounding communities. Stop in and check out their gallery or bring your special item in to be custom framed. The shop is located directly underneath the “Smile! You’re Alive” mural. The gallery that is currently exhibited is West Virginia railroad history through art. This past weekend, Mike Doig and Jim Porterfield presented at The Art of Elkins on the exhibit. Contact Talbott’s by clicking here: http://www.madwv.com/item/talbotts-frame-shop/ And share their page, by hitting the social media icons on Talbott’s MAD page.

http://www.madwv.com/upcoming-events/ The Mountain Arts District calendar is always updated with events showcasing the arts and culture of our region from our subscribers and sponsors!

This week The Arts Center is opening two new exhibits. Student Art will be featured in the main gallery, and Dave Shombert’s art will be exhibited in the Maxwell Gallery. Other events this week: Romeo & Juliet – Saturday, May 6th, Thomas: ArtSpring is hosting the Rusty Mechanicals Theater Troupe. The Lion King – Wednesday May 3rd through next week, Elkins: The Old Brick Playhouse. Bluegrass Jam – Saturday, May 6th, Grafton: Gallery 62 West. Citizens Bank Art Displays – Friday, May 5th, Elkins & Parsons: Mountain Arts District & Citizens Bank of WV See detailed info for each of these events at: www.madwv.com/upcoming-events/category/upcoming-events/ .

Some Good Friday Public Art: This sculpture was chosen by St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Elkins to portray their Parish Patron Saint in 2000. St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator. The statue situates St. Brendan on a boat, with a weather-worn face and his mantel up to block the cold. (He traveled through icy waters and icebergs on his journey). His hands are extended to express his desire to offer Christianity to the world, with an angel on the bow leading and guiding him. One of St. Brendan’s feet is extended forward to express the idea of moving forward into a new world. Check out more public art at: http://www.madwv.com/public-art-gallery/

This week we’re featuring a packed event at Gallery 62 in Grafton. At 5:30 Ashley Glover, a Grafton High School Sophomore, will be reciting poetry in observance on National Poetry Month. Starting at 6 p.m. is the opening reception for April’s exhibit, “Estelle” – a collective work by Debra E. (Stevens) Spradling. Background music for the reception will be provided by a woodwind trio from Fairmont State University.  This trio plays a mix of classical, video game music, pop, and quasi-jazz!  They will play about an hour. These events are free and open to the public! See this and more events at: http://www.madwv.com/upcoming-events/category/upcoming-events/

This week we’re featuring a regular Augusta event – Pickin’ in the Park. 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 These weekly Old-Time, Gospel, Country, & Bluegrass jam sessions are held in the Myles Center for the Arts on Davis & Elkins campus (or in Elkins City Park when the weather permits) every Wednesday. Anyone is welcome to come, jam, and have a good time with friends. Pickin’ in the Park

This week, our featured event is coming out of Grafton from the Taylor County Arts Council. Corcoran, author of The Rope Swing, will be reading, taking questions, and hosting a book signing this Friday, March 17th at 7 p.m. at Gallery 62. Corcoran is a native of Elkins. “Jonathan Corcoran’s Appalachian voice, so fierce, so tender, portrays tradition as both weapon and soothing balm. The Rope Swing takes us inside quiet revolutions of the soul in mountain towns far from Stonewall: we can never go home again, but we recognize ourselves in these linked stories of love, loss, the economic tyranny of neglect and exploitation, and the lifelong alliance between those who stay and those who leave. The Rope Swing establishes a new American writer whose unerring instincts are cause for celebration.” —Jayne Anne Phillips, author of Quiet Dell, Lark and Termite, and Black Tickets See full event info at: http://www.madwv.com/event/jonathan-corcoran-author-of-the-rope-swing/

This week, we’re highlighting some public art from Buckhannon’s Jawbone Park – a statue of Buckhongahelas and his son Mahonegon. The legend has it that Captain William White shot and killed Mahonegon, for whom the area’s Boy Scout Camp is named, in June 1773. The statue depicts a grief-stricken father holding the body of his dead son, with a bullet hole in the abdomen. The legend also holds that Buckongahelas accomplished revenge, killing White about a decade later. Buckhannon artist and sculptor Ross Straight was fascinated with the story of Buckhongahelas since boyhood days, after hearing it from his grandmother, whose family was among the original settlers. He crafted Upshur County’s first contemporary piece of public art: a statue to Buckongahelas cradling the body of his just-killed son, Mahonegon. The 650-pound bronze sculpture- Buckongahelas and His Son Mahonegon- now graces Buckhannon’s Jawbone Park. It was Straight’s first major work, and he had plenty of skeptics when he first announced his dream and presented a terra cotta maquett (*model) in December 1997. Much of that skepticism centered on whether Straight would be able to raise the $21,500-plus required for the statue. The statue itself is worth considerably more, because he made […]

This week’s public art feature is another piece from Philippi: this time off of Alderson-Broaddus campus. “Apollo” is a piece inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s quote “I stand on the shoulders of giants,” and the statue was so named to honor the space program. “Apollo” was installed in 1968.” See more art at our public art gallery. http://www.madwv.com/public-art-gallery/

February 25 is the annual ArtsBank, Inc. Auction on Saturday at the Fire Hall in Beverly.