Fayetteville Creates turns town into a living arts studio for the New River Gorge

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — This winter, the small mountain town of Fayetteville, perched at the edge of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, will swap its usual crowd of rock climbers and whitewater paddlers for a different kind of adventurer—artists.

In January 2026, Fayetteville will launch “Fayetteville Creates,” a month-long, town-wide artist residency inviting painters, writers, photographers, musicians, textile designers, chefs, and other creatives to live and work amid the dramatic cliffs and forests of America’s newest national park.

Up to 10 vacation rentals in the town will be transformed into temporary artist studios and living spaces, each donated by local property owners during the area’s quiet winter season.

“This program is made possible by the generosity of local vacation rental owners who are donating their spaces for the entire month,” said Kate Kistler, a member of the organizing committee. “It’s really a community effort from the ground up.”

The idea took root after the West Virginia Creative Network, formerly known as the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts, awarded a $10,000 “Ripple” grant to spark local arts initiatives. A group of Fayetteville residents ran with it, forming a committee and recruiting partners, including the Fayette County Community Foundation, which now serves as the program’s fiscal sponsor.

A Creative Off-Season

While Fayetteville hums with visitors most of the year thanks to the New River Gorge’s world-class rafting, climbing, and hiking, winter typically brings a lull. That downtime, organizers realized, was an opportunity.

“We saw all these beautiful rentals sitting empty for a few months and thought—why not fill them with creativity?” Kistler said.

The model borrows inspiration from Lafayette Flats, a local boutique rental that has hosted its own single-artist winter residency for years. Owners Amy McLaughlin and Shawn Means, who are also on the new program’s committee, say expanding the idea to a town-wide effort felt like a natural evolution.

“We’ve seen firsthand how much inspiration this place offers in the quieter months,” McLaughlin said. “Now, instead of one artist, we’ll have a whole network of them creating across town.”

As of mid-September, seven vacation rentals had already signed on, with a goal of ten by January.

More Than Solitude

Although the residency’s core purpose is to give artists uninterrupted time to create, organizers hope its impact will ripple throughout the community. Residents and visitors alike will be invited to public workshops, pop-up shows, and art events hosted by the creatives-in-residence.

Plans include free and low-cost art classes for youth, public installations around town, and informal artist gatherings each week to foster collaboration between local and visiting artists. A community celebration at the end of the month will showcase the work developed during the residency.

Each artist will also be paired with a local “art guide”—a Fayetteville resident who can introduce them to the region’s creative scene, scenic spots, and Appalachian culture.

“It’s a twist on our guiding tradition,” Kistler said with a smile. “This area is known for river and climbing guides. We figured—why not art guides?”

A Lasting Vision

The inaugural Fayetteville Creates is just the beginning, according to members of the organization. The committee hopes to make the residency an annual event that draws national and even international creatives to West Virginia’s growing arts scene.

“This is more than just a residency—it’s a community-powered arts initiative that celebrates Appalachian culture, outdoor beauty, and creative connection,” said Kristin Carroll, another committee member. “It’s a new way for Fayetteville to shine in the slower season.”

Applications are open through October 31, 2025, for artists of all disciplines. Selected participants will pay only a refundable deposit, with housing and local support included.

For a town best known for its soaring bridge, roaring river, and rugged cliffs, Fayetteville is finding a new identity in the off-season—one built on imagination, collaboration, and a shared sense of place.

About the New River Gorge

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, designated in 2020 as the newest U.S. national park, spans more than 70,000 acres of rugged cliffs, forested canyons, and whitewater rapids in southern West Virginia.

With rising visitation, outdoor recreation, and community investment, it’s quickly becoming a cornerstone for regional tourism and sustainable economic growth.

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Fayetteville Creates — At a Glance

• Residency Dates: January 1–31, 2026
• Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Open To: Visiting and local artists of all disciplines
• Residency Fee: $250 refundable deposit
• Includes: Private lodging, local guide, community events, and final celebration

Learn more about Fayetteville Creates or apply at Fayettevillewvcreates.org.