Appalachian History
Appalachian art began in the mountains, where the land was rugged and the people were, too. It was born out of necessity.
Traditional Appalachian art draws inspiration from the natural environment, stories, and music from the region, history, and the world of imagination. It can be both functional and artistic. Other art may be expressive of the maker’s creativity or may communicate a message.
People still buy Appalachian art for the same reasons- its quality and its craftsmanship.
Art for Sale
“Customers cherish works for their functionality and aesthetic, but most importantly for knowing that it was specifically made by the artist,” said Susan Ramey, potter and owner of Ridgetop Pottery in Kingwood, WV.
Appalachian craftsmanship can be seen all over Greater Morgantown. Visual art is displayed on the walls of Black Bear Burritos and handmade crafts can be seen and bought in the shops at the Seneca Center or at Appalachian Gallery.
“There are art festivals going on throughout the state and in those festivals, you see a lot of wood turners and wood makers, a lot of men and women doing pottery, art, furniture, the whole gamut,” said Fay Steele, an Appalachian artist who specializes in two-dimensional depictions of rural, mountainous scenes.
Nell Milne created works from air, leaves, and anything she could find–specialized in crochet
Μel Sword uses clay from his property in Preston County to make beautiful, partially unglazed pottery
David Shough uses native wood to make beautiful, functional handcrafted items
In their own, unique way, every Greater Morgantown artist adds to the rich tapestry of Appalachian culture.
List of Festivals to Purchase Appalachian Art
Cheat River Festival, May
New Deal Festival Craft Market, July
Mon County Fair, August
Preston County Buckwheat Festival, September
Arts Walk, September
WV Arts and Crafts Christmas Spectacular, November
Need a place to stay after attending these festivals? Visit Stay options in Mountaineer Country!