Art & Beautification

Washington Post: Ohio high school photographers crafted a stunning account of their lives

11.12.19

Partial image of the cover of the “The All-American Town,” a zine created by a group of Ohio high school students. Head to the story on *The Washington Post* site to see the images! (Provided by Kennedy Rhodes/Rural Arts Collaborative, Bellaire High School to *The Washington Post*)

BY KENNETH DICKERMAN AND THE STUDENTS OF BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

For years now, Instagram has been touted in photography circles as a great way to discover new talent in the field. But I’ll be honest with you, although I love the platform and am an avid user of it, as a longtime photo editor I haven’t found it a particularly fruitful source of new work. At times, I have contemplated abandoning the platform altogether (along with pretty much all other social media). But every now and then, a gem pops up that makes me reconsider. That’s just what happened one morning a couple of months ago…

See the photos plus read the story on The Washington Post site »

Times West Virginian: Extreme makeover for Fairmont crosswalks

09.24.19

Photo from the Main Street Fairmont Facebook page

BY ERIN HRIN FOR THE TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN

People using the crosswalk at the intersection of Monroe and Adams streets in Fairmont might have to look twice. That’s because a school of seven fish now appears to be swimming over the pavement, thanks to the efforts of some volunteers seeking to beautify the downtown area. On Saturday, members of Main Street Fairmont and students from Fairmont State University painted the images of the fish on the crosswalk, where, appropriately, the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival is held each year.

The group also painted a patriotic design…

Read the full story on the Times West Virginian website »

First Legends and Lore Marker goes up – is your town next?

09.24.19

Photo from the Alderson Main Street Facebook page

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

The Beckley-Register Herald shared a story recently about the first roadside marker going up in Alderson, WV through the Legends and Lore Marker program, run through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and West Virginia Humanities Council’s Folklife Program.

The deadline to apply for the next round of this program is October 1! Check out more information on the WV Folklife Program website »

From the story by Tina Alvey:

“A new roadside marker commemorating the famed Alderson lion, ‘French,’ will be dedicated… The marker will be placed near a striking metal sculpture of the lion that was created and installed in 2017 by Michael Loop.

Local residents are well-versed in the story of the circus lion cub that was rescued and raised by an Alderson woman in the 1890s. As the lion grew, he occasionally wandered away from his home and strolled the streets of Alderson, much to the dismay of townsfolk. After he frightened a salesman into jumping into the Greenbrier River to escape, the town council passed a law requiring “all lions” in Alderson to be properly leashed.”

Read the full story on the Register Herald site »

What is special or unusual about your town’s history? Head to the WV Folklife Program’s website for more details about this program and to apply by October 1 »

WVU Libraries art exhibit looks at West Virginia’s story through a new lens

08.27.19

Liz Pavlovic (*Holiday Cryptids*), courtesy WVU Libraries

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

“Appalachian Futures,” West Virginia University Libraries’ new year-long exhibition, addresses the current dominant narratives about Appalachia in a new way, by looking at how the people of Appalachia have worked and will work to rewrite their own story.

The exhibit officially opens on Sept. 3, with a reception from 5-7 p.m. in the Milano Reading Room in WVU’s Downtown Campus Library. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with games inspired by West Virginia history and designed by collaborative teams of art, media and computer science students.

Synthesizing humanities research, art and civic action, the exhibit invites viewers to explore the often overlooked communities of Indigenous Appalachia, “Affrilachian” (African American in Appalachia), and queer Appalachia. Examine Appalachian tradition and culture; the intersections between extraction industries, new technology, and science; literacies and education in Appalachia; as well as speculative futures for the region. Contributors include WVU and regional scholars, community groups and artists.

There are many events and programs planned in association with this exhibition – check out the Appalachian Futures exhibition page on the WVU Libraries site to find out more information.

Meet up with WV arts and culture innovators at the Create Your State Convening

08.27.19

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

The team behind Create Your State – an initiative to spark community revitalization through the arts – is holding their first Create Your State Convening on October 11-13 for all communities who have participated in the initiative in the past, as well as any motivated West Virginians who are interested in learning more about how collaborating with members of the arts community can be an innovative leverage point for community and economic development.

To find out more and register for the event, visit the Create Your State site »

Watch Lori McKinney share a bit about this event:

From the organizers:

“Experience firsthand the transformative impact the arts have made in downtown Princeton while meeting collaborators who are doing similar visionary work around the state.

Tour the venues that make up Princeton’s creative community; learn from informative panel discussions about public art, festival organizing, gallery co-ops, and more; and enjoy live music, delicious food, and a FUN day on the town in the Grassroots District.

Rejuvenate with nature in rustic accommodations in nearby Pipestem provided by the beautiful Appalachian South Folklife Center—the ‘magical mountaintop’ where it all started for the CYS founders, the annual home of Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival. Enjoy bonfires, cookouts, and inspired conversations with changemaking allies.

Share your inspirations, challenges, solutions, and questions about transforming your town. Network with other forward-thinkers and amplify your impact as we all support one another in creating our state!”

To find out more and register for the event, visit the Create Your State site »

Moorefield’s creative placemaking sparking new conversations

07.30.19

Local creatives welcomed the Create Your State tour to the community

BY TOM HART, CULTIVATE WV COMMUNITY COACH, THE HUB

Moorefield, along with Cowen, are two communities participating in The Hub’s Cultivate WV Program. Recently, as part of Moorefield’s Cultivate activities, the Create Your State tour was scheduled to travel to the area to deliver their always-inspiring multimedia presentation on how to leverage creativity to transform your community. As a community coach for the Cultivate WV program, I was excited to once again see this presentation.

As I arrived at Moorefield High School for the gathering, I was immediately taken aback by the festival-like atmosphere.

In the parking lot were pop up canopies with face painting and other art being created. Inside the school commons area, local artists and performers were busy setting up their displays, drawing, sketching, and belly dancing! The community had decided to organize a local artisan showcase prior to and conjunction with the Create Your State presentation. This fantastic idea was the perfect opening act to set the atmosphere for the performers of Create Your State.

Following the presentation, many of the participants stayed for a vibrant and robust roundtable discussion of opportunities and possibilities for further creative growth in the Moorefield area.

Congratulations to the dynamic individuals of the Moorefield community for having the vision and initiative to create such a positive and festive atmosphere!

WV theatre troupe brings Shakespeare to communities across the state

07.09.19

The Rustic Mechanicals at Toad Hall in Grafton, WV. Photograph by Ben Queen of Ben Queen Photography.

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Are you ready to watch the words of Shakespeare come to life in the penthouse suite of a hotel in Morgantown? What about in a community-created outdoor performance space, surrounded by public art in downtown Grafton? Or a historic mansion in Philippi?

There are still 10 performances left in this summer’s Laugh and Let Go Tour with West Virginia’s only Shakespeare troupe, The Rustic Mechanicals. The troupe will perform As You Like It on the following dates:

Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 7:00p
Waterfront Place Hotel – Morgantown, WV
*indoors/outdoors, ticketed event

Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 6:00p
Adaland Mansion – Philippi, WV
*indoors/outdoors, dinner theater, ticketed event

Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 7:00p
Toad Hall – Grafton, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Friday, July 19, 2019 at 7:30p
The Park at 5th & Lee – Montgomery, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 6:00p
Palatine Park – Fairmont, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 7:00p
Town Center Amphitheater – Elkins, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:00p
Ferguson Memorial Park – Shinnston, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:00p
Ferguson Memorial Park – Shinnston, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:00p
Valley Park – Hurricane, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 7:00p
The AMP – Clarksburg, WV
*outdoors, FREE (by donation), bring chairs & picnics

To find out more information, go to The Rustic Mechanicals Facebook events listing »

The troupe blends their love of Shakespeare with a passion for sparking creative energy in West Virginia, including performing in both traditional and non-traditional venues and offering tickets at free and reduced prices for some events to enable as many residents across the state as possible to see this classic play come to life. For readers who have been following the community development efforts coming out of the All Aboard Grafton group for the past few years, you may have noticed that this tour is traveling to Toad Hall, an outdoor community meeting and performance space that was built as a result of their spirit of collaboration and hard work.

The Rustic Mechanicals is also focused on supporting new leadership and talent from emerging artists in the Mountain State. They formally established an apprentice troupe in 2017. Actor Callia Byard joins the cast of As You Like It this year in her first tour as a professional member of the troupe after being promoted from the rank of apprentice.

The Rustic Mechanicals describe the play:

“Shakespeare’s popular romantic comedy stirs wit, sentiment, intrigue, and love into a charming confection which challenges the traditional rules of romance. At its heart, a feisty but feminine Rosalind, in love with the endearingly naïve Orlando, uses her disguise as Ganymede to council him playfully in the art of wooing. Distraction is provided by the remarkably funny Touchstone, and the sonorous tones and lugubrious wit of Jaques.”

Visit The Rustic Mechanicals events listing page on Facebook to get to one of these performances.

New business supporting local artists comes to Madison

06.25.19

Myria Wade (far left) and Teena Merlin (far right) from Gypsy Sisters Tattoo (image via Facebook)

BY DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

At the most recent Madison Meet Up – this time hosted by the Hacienda Restaurant on Main Street – all in attendance got to meet some new downtown neighbors. Opening in June, Gypsy Sisters Tattoo is a new women-owned and led business looking to do big things in Boone County.

Beyond their tattoo work, owners Teena Merlin and Myria Wade are currently displaying the work of other local artists and have dreams of a future downtown art walk for the Madison community.

On behalf of the Madison/Danville Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities program and team, we are excited to see this new, creative business in town and look forward to working with them in the future, as we support entrepreneurial growth for the community.

Ready to read more about this exciting new business opening in Madison?

Check out the feature article recently published in the Coal Valley News »

From the article:

“‘It all happened so fast,” said Merlin. ‘Within two weeks of speaking to the landlord, we were setting up, painting and decorating. There has been a lot of work to be completed but a lot of fun to be had as well. We’re excited.’

The sisters live in Lincoln County. Merlin – a Navy veteran – came to West Virginia after a stint living in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Wade left the sunny beaches of South Florida to make the Mountain State her home.

‘We really love it here,’ said Wade. ‘The people are so friendly and warm and since we’ve opened the shop, people greet us every day. It’s been amazing.’

Both women are creative and driven, but each brings her own set of skills to the table. The decision to become co-owners of a business came naturally.”

Inc.: These WV artisans created an internationally-recognized company

06.11.19

Allegheny Treenware measuring spoons (via the Allegheny Treenware Facebook page)

BY LEIGH BUCHANAN FOR INC.

Sue and Stanley Jennings’s love story began underground. In 1984 Sue was a miner, running big machines in a coal pit in Philippi, West Virginia. Stanley was a mechanic, servicing those machines. “He had 10 years underground and I had five,” says Sue, who had followed her best friend into that career.

Two months after they met, the mine shut down for a year, preparing to become a non-union outfit. The couple spent four years largely adrift. He tried strip mining but quit because he found the environmental practices odious. She was a school janitor and worked in a greenhouse.

Then they found their calling: wooden spoons.

Allegheny Treenware cohabits with the Jennings’s farm on 45 acres in Thornton, West Virginia…

Read the full story on the Inc. site »

Tess Myers of Boone County is a ball of energy for greater good

05.24.19

Tess Myers (center, left) has been working with residents and supporters in Boone County on projects like arts-centered healing and recovery. Pictured here at the
Madison Main Street Small Business Street Fair.

DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

A Friendly Note from The Hub Team: Are you a supporter of The Hub’s work? In 2019, we’re celebrating our 10th birthday! Please consider a donation of $10 to help us continue serving West Virginia communities for the next 10 years and beyond. Click here to go to our Birthday Donation Page.

Tess Myers sees creating community and individual empowerment to help address West Virginia’s challenges as the path forward.

She decided she had enough of seeing the opioid epidemic ravage her community and needed to get active. If you ever meet Tess, you’ll find she is a ball of energy. And out of this ball of energy, Boone County’s Generations Saved was created.

Generations Saved is only a little over one year old, but has grown a great deal.

Community-driven efforts like this to help fight the opioid epidemic are inspiring to see. Tess’s work is just one example of the new narrative happening in West Virginia – one that is aware of the challenges, yet rooted in solutions coming out of West Virginian communities.

The organization has two main goals: lower the birth rate of babies born with NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome) and promote the healing effects of the arts as they relate to recovery.

Generations Saved creates and promotes arts-related projects as part of the healing process for recovery and for community outreach. They put on music festivals, art galleries, and more, having worked with Day of Hope, Prestera, and others.

Music Through The Madness, of which they have done two so far, is their music festival project. They are currently planning a third for early September in the Madison area. Other future plans include fundraisers, art shows, a summer tubing event, and more.

The group also works as a primary prevention project to slow down the rate of babies birthed with NAS. The program relies on LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception), which is given voluntarily and is reversible once recovery is complete.