The arts in West Virginia reflect the state’s rich Appalachian heritage, creative spirit, and thriving talent. From vibrant galleries and community theaters to renowned music festivals and artisan craft shops, West Virginia offers an endless array of ways to experience authentic Appalachian art and culture. Visitors can explore local studios, enjoy live performances of bluegrass, folk, and contemporary music, and discover handmade pottery, quilts, and woodwork that celebrate traditional craftsmanship.
SAULSVILLE, W.Va. — Perhaps no other form of architecture is more strongly associated with West Virginia than the old-fashioned log cabin or what might more appropriately be called the hewn-timber house.New England has saltboxes, and the South has Greek Revivals, but the Virginian frontier, including what’s now West Virginia, produced a habitation that had never … Read more
WHEELING, W.VA. — Perhaps the most fantastic Victorian residence ever built in West Virginia was that of the founder of the company known for Mail Pouch Tobacco.Samuel Bloch, co‑founder and president of Bloch Brothers Tobacco Co., spared little expense in 1891 while creating the elaborate 20-room mansion on National Road in Pleasant Valley, which was … Read more
CLAY, W.Va. — In 2020, Kentucky fiddler Tyler Childers released his fourth studio album, Long Violent History, a collection of traditional fiddle tunes. Among the selections is his interpretation of an old fiddle tune called “Camp Chase.”While the title refers to a military training ground and Confederate prisoner-of-war camp in Columbus, Ohio, the composer was … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There is perhaps no more extraordinary place of honor for a statue in West Virginia than in the plaza in front of its state Capitol.And perhaps there is no better statue to raise there than that of Abraham Lincoln, who signed the proclamation that brought the state into being.However, what’s now one … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — A flock of oversized birds has descended on this West Virginia city at the edge of one of America’s newest national parks, attracted by one of the region’s growing arts initiatives.Six large, colorful birds now perch on buildings in and near downtown Beckley, adding color and interest where urban decay had become … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The release of the trailer for a comedy film debuting next week in West Virginia may catch some viewers off guard.Though filmed in West Virginia and starring West Virginia natives, the movie “Ambrosia!” is a high-style, polished affair that may seem more appropriate to affluent New England.Co-director David Gravely says the film’s … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — According to its producers, the premiere of the comedy film “Ambrosia!” is being extended into a second night at the Raleigh Theatre & Playhouse to accommodate the demand for tickets.Filmed principally in Beckley, the production will launch September 27 but will play again on September 28 due to high interest. After that, … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The producers of the West Virginia-made comedy film Ambrosia! have announced a September release that will be followed by a series of statewide and national screenings.Afterward, the feature-length independent film will be released on streaming platforms globally, though producer Saja Montague says those details are still being established.“We’ve had many excited community … Read more
Photographer O. Winston Link may best be known for his ties to Virginia, home of the O. Winston Link Museum at Roanoke, but museum manager Lynsey Allie says his ties to West Virginia are strong, though fewer people know of them.“O. Winston Link has fans all over the world,” Allie says. “They come here, of … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The historical outdoor dramas “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Honey in the Rock” will return to the Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview this week and run through the end of the month.After a five-year pause, the drama “Honey in the Rock,” the story of the birth of West Virginia, is returning to the stage … Read more
