PRINCETON, W.Va. — Artists, educators, and community leaders from across West Virginia will converge in Princeton’s Grassroots District from Oct. 24–26 for the Create Your State Convening, a three-day program focused on how the arts can drive economic and social revitalization in small towns.
Hosted by the RiffRaff Arts Collective, the event turns Princeton’s downtown corridor into a hands-on classroom for creative placemaking. Organizers say the weekend combines case studies, workshops, peer learning, and cultural experiences to show how arts initiatives can strengthen communities.
“This isn’t just a conference; it’s a creative adventure,” said Lori McKinney, co-founder of Create Your State and executive director of the RiffRaff Arts Collective.
“Participants learn directly from West Virginians who are building momentum in their own towns, then walk the blocks of a neighborhood shaped by those very ideas in action.”
The program will include public art installations, live music, studio tours, and storytelling sessions across the Grassroots District. A lineup of presenters includes artists and civic leaders such as Jeff Pierson of Charleston’s Office of Public Art, Kabrea James of Beckley’s Inner Sunshine Arts, and Mercer County Commissioner Greg Puckett.
Also participating are Patch Whisky, an internationally known street artist and Princeton native; Amanda Workman of the West Virginia Community Development Hub; and José Rizo, a Raleigh County arts patron and gallery curator.
The weekend begins Friday with a “Creative Mixer” featuring live performances and guided art walks. Saturday will include workshops and discussions on public art, creative entrepreneurship, and collaboration, followed by an open stage event at The Dream Bean Coffeehouse. Sunday’s schedule features fundraising sessions, a practitioner showcase, and a theater-for-community-building workshop.
Participants can also visit working artist studios, create a tie-dye shirt, and attend a live taping of the Born & Bred podcast, which spotlights Appalachian stories and music. The full schedule and registration details are available at createyourstate.org/2025-convening.
Registration is offered on a sliding scale of $50 to $250, with free tickets available. Lodging discounts and hotel blocks are listed on the event’s website.
“Public art on every corner, music in the streets, neighbors building together — none of this is hypothetical here,” McKinney said. “We open the doors, walk the blocks, and invite people to imagine what their own version of this could be.”
The Create Your State Convening is part of a statewide initiative that equips communities to use the arts and culture to revitalize their communities.
The RiffRaff Arts Collective, founded in 2004, operates galleries, studios, and cultural events in Princeton, including the annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival. More information is available at theRiffRaff.net.
The arts in American cities
The arts have become a cornerstone in the revitalization of modern American cities, serving as both a catalyst for economic growth and a means of fostering community identity, according to authors Erika McLitus and Sujata Srivastava.
Cultural districts, which are designated areas within cities that host arts and cultural institutions, play a crucial role in attracting visitors, preserving community heritage, and revitalizing neighborhoods, McLitus and Srivastava say in a SPUR magazine article.
These districts contribute to urban revitalization by activating spaces for locals and tourists alike, adding beauty, and enhancing a community’s sense of place and identity.
Beyond aesthetic enhancements, integrating art into urban planning yields tangible economic benefits. Investing in the arts can boost property values, create jobs, and reduce crime rates.
According to a study published in ScienceDirect, public art projects have been shown to reduce subjective anxiety and stress, contributing to a more vibrant and welcoming urban environment. Cities that prioritize arts and culture often experience higher levels of civic engagement and social cohesion, as art provides.
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