Arts

Distance is helping Whitney Bsharah help West Virginians reach tourists, and as a native living abroad she’s observed changes in what audiences think about the Mountain State. “I will always miss home, but I think living in Richmond helps give me insight into how people feel about visiting the state,” she says, “and that’s turned … Read more

One of West Virginia’s most remarkable music festivals has changed its dates and capacity, promising more bands, more music, and more craft beer, according to organizers. Originally designed to coincide with the Bridge Day Festival on the New River Gorge Bridge in October, “Bridge Jam” has been moved to late August to accommodate campers and … Read more

A new marketing consultant for West Virginia Explorer Magazine says he’s found enthusiasm he hadn’t expected as he rediscovers the Mountain State after living in South Carolina. Seth Withers maintained a connection with his home state after moving in 2000—returning often to hike, bike, and visit family—but as he began to talk with clients, he … Read more

A new outdoor-drama performance of the Hatfield and McCoy feud is packing the amphitheater at Chief Logan State Park and will host a national TV crew tonight during “Descendant’s Night,” during which members of the two famous families will be admitted at a discount rate. Director Bill France said the true-to-history drama that concerns the … Read more

West Virginia Day is being celebrated this coming week, and Governor Jim Justice and state Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby are encouraging West Virginians and those who love the state to celebrate and help build tourism on social media. “It’s time to celebrate America’s best-kept secret with seven days of wall-to-wall West Virginia on social media,” … Read more

Artists in downtown Beckley, West Virginia, have engaged more than 40 partners in BEX, a remarkable collaborative exhibition set for June 22-30 that includes workshops, installations, a film festival, a maker’s fair, and an oddities-and-curiosities bazaar. More than 35 events­—including a “human library,” three camera obscuras, and a smell-o’-vision demonstration—have been arranged to underscore diversity … Read more

Wandering an old cemetery, Shirley Stewart Burns considers the stories that headstones tell. And it occurs to her that birth and death dates aren’t as important as the days between—represented by a line drawn between the dates. And that becomes a song. The Line There’s a line that’s etched in granite With two dates on … Read more

On May 9, Wheeling Heritage will host an opening reception for “Learning to See,” an exhibit featuring the works of artist Rosalie Haizlett, whose watercolor paintings focus on various aspects of nature. This exhibit features pieces she has painted throughout the last year, including plants and wildlife from the Kanawha County in West Virginia the … Read more

Children raised in rural West Virginia have advantages that many others may not. Strong familial units and low-crime are commonly accounted for, but they also have the advantage of access to nature. Richard Louv, 2008 Audubon Medal Recipient and author of “Last Child in the Woods,” says children who spend time in nature demonstrate improved … Read more

West Virginia Explorer is now reaching more than a million readers annually! If you’re an advertiser, you’ll be happy to know that visitors had 1,170,018 opportunities to click-through to your website this month (as of 8 a.m. this morning). If you’re a reader, it means there’s plenty of fun in store as we travel the … Read more