Augusta and the WV Humanities Council present “The Crossing: Irish and Appalachian Musical Connections”

Tim O’Brien will present tunes and stories that highlight the connections between Irish and Appalachian music and culture on February 23 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Augusta and the WV Humanities Council Present “A Visit with Master Artist Joey Saye”

Blues guitarist Joey Saye will present and play tunes from some of his blues mentors on February 9 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Augusta & the WV Humanities Council Present “The Great Migration, presented by Maggie Brown”

Maggie Brown has crafted a unique performance style designed to both educate and entertain on February 2 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Augusta Heritage Center presents “Sea Shanties—Adding Historical Context to the Hottest New TikTok Trend”

Renowned performer, scholar, and tradition bearer John Roberts will present a discussion about sea shanties, their place in history and in current use on January 26 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Augusta Heritage Center Summer 2021 Celebration Dates Announced

From the Augusta Heritage Center: As we look towards the future, we eagerly anticipate the day that we will learn knee-to-knee, hold hands, dance, and sing joyously together. Our top priority is to deliver a safe, vibrant Augusta summer that is a celebration of our most cherished traditions. Without being able to peer into the future, we have made some difficult decisions that we hope will put us in the best possible position for a safe in-person summer 2021 experience. After conferring with theme week coordinators and several departments at Davis & Elkins College (housekeeping, dining services, dorm management), we are planning on delivering a classic Augusta summer program, with some adjustments for this year. Namely, we will be running a four-day event and class model – from a big welcome party on the Tuesday of each week to a farewell brunch on Sunday morning. Classes will run Wednesday through Saturday. This safety-first approach will allow for ample time to thoroughly clean all facilities before welcoming the next group to campus and will provide some extra flexibility in the schedule for our summer staff, who will be working diligently to keep everyone safe and happy. We will list class offerings on […]
Public Art Grants for Rural Youth Engagement

Applications are now being accepted for the FY21 Rural Youth Engagement through Public Art Grant from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts (WVCA). Approximately $65,000 in grants will be awarded. Deadline for receipt of applications is February 1, 2021. Eligible projects will take place in communities with less than 25,000 residents and will engage local youth. Schools, not for profit youth groups, not for profit arts organizations, and local governments are eligible to apply. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2021. A complete grant application package, including eligible project expenses and evaluation criteria, is available by contacting Jenna Green, Cultural Facilities and Capital Resources coordinator, at (304) 558-0240) ext. 725 or at Jenna.R.Green@wv.gov. The application package is also available on the department’s website at http://www.wvculture.org/arts/grants.html. The announcement of grantees is planned for early February 2021. The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation, and museums. Visit the department’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information.
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Artist and Art Organization Grants

Each year the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History awards grants to a variety of artists and arts organizations for arts-based projects. Deadlines are Feb 1st and March 1st, 2021!
The Arts Center Event: Christmas Brown Bag Concert

Happy Holidays! This Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 12 noon, The Arts Center will premier a virtual Brown Bag Concert here on its Facebook page for our community, featuring Deacon Raymond Godwin performing all of your favorite holiday music! This show will also begin airing on WETV Channel 3 next week! This very special show will be available until after the New Year! https://youtu.be/qMHpAKHEWB4
Don’t Forget: Artists are Small Business Owners

Please consider giving works of art for Christmas. No matter the day, it’s important that you support your local artists, especially in this time of COVID. Visit the the following MAD members to support local businesses and local artisans: Elkins Artists at Work Delmonte Market Marlinton Pocahontas County Artisan Co-op Richwood Mill Whistle Arts Co-op Buckhannon Artistry on Main Thomas Creature Buxton and Landstreet Green Bank Art in Green Bank Watch for special sales at these Mountain Arts District member locations on the MAD Facebook page.
Look what you can win!

Win this beautiful Nevada Tribble original titled “Still and Grey.”
Childrens’ Art in Coalton

Principal Alyssa Tallman and Artsbank Instructor Kylie Proudfoot-Payne received reproductions of murals done by children K-6 grade at Coalton School during the past two years.
Augusta Event: Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia

Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia Presented by Christopher Wilkinson Tuesday, October 20 @ 7 pm by The Augusta Heritage Center on Facebook Live, Zoom The coal fields of West Virginia would seem an unlikely market for big band jazz during the Great Depression. However, a prosperous African American audience of coal-industry workers created a robust audience for jazz tours. Black Mountaineers flocked to dances by the hundreds to hear bands led by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, and Chick Webb.
About MAD
Follow your heART to the mountains of West Virginia where there are some of the finest artists in the Appalachian highlands.
MAD was founded to be an artist-driven initiative to strengthen the arts economy in north-central West Virginia with the goal of making this whole region a destination for art lovers.
After several public meetings, the priorities were set to begin forming the infrastructure needed to make this goal a reality. The first priority is to grow a directory/showcase of artists and venues so that tourists and residents can have better access to the arts. The online calendar was added and then a public art gallery, all available to you on this fine website designed by Lisa Armstrong.
This website is a cooperative marketing effort of artists, art venues and art supporters. It is open to showcase art in ALL its forms, from visual art to performing artists like musicians and actors, to writers and chefs. It was created with the thought in mind, that many artists do not have a web presence and those that do, often do not tend to their site. MAD wants to lift up all the artists that are inspired by the mountains, and the peace and joy they instill in the hearts of all who live here.
Our all-volunteer team is also active planning workshops for artist entrepreneurs, organizing public art projects and hosting networking meetings of artists and the public twice a month. This is live-streamed onto our Facebook page.
So, please explore the artists and venues on this site. Find out where the artists are selling their work. Click on News/Events to find the Arts Calendar for information on the multitude of performances, classes and gallery exhibits available in this region. Learn more about the artists by looking at our blog, videos and music clips on artist pages. Welcome to the Mountain Arts District. We are glad you are here!