Our next meeting will be September 24th at 6:00pm at the Dunbar Library. Everyone should bring some art to show each other what we are doing. If you want to bring a snack to share, that would be great. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to this summer!
The 74th AAWV JURIED EXHIBITION: Entrants will be notified of acceptance by Aug 16. Accepted art and artists will be listed on the website.
PROSPECTUS is available online at: https://www.alliedartistswv.org/images/aawv-prospectus-2026.pdf
Reception and Awards Ceremony will be Friday, September 18th from 5:00 – 7:00pm. Exhibit Runs: Sept 18 - Oct 30 at Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. www.parkersburgartcenter.org
The art submitted was exceptional and I expect the show to be one of our best! I hope to see you at the reception.
A MESSAGE AND ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM PATTY STEWART:
AAWV members, I hope this finds each of you doing well and making the most of these warm (hot!) months. And I hope you were all able to enter the upcoming AAWV show! I wish all of you well.
We’re doing really fine and settling in pretty well. We see our daughter and/or one of her family most days, and that’s why we came. That being said, I still miss my art people SO much. I’m making inroads with meeting artists here, but I haven’t found many yet. I have faith it will progress well.
I’ve been here 4 months and the first 3, I don’t think I picked up a paint brush. The room I’m using as a studio was fairly organized, but I just couldn’t make myself paint. Or even want to. But after a time, I have to admit that I was feeling fearful that I couldn’t paint anything at all, let alone anything good or worthy of putting into a show.
Finally, I asked one of you, Julea Escue, to hold me accountable to painting at least 15 minutes a day for 3 days a week. And I held her accountable as well! It was a turning point for me, and I began a 12 x 12 painting. I didn’t want to have to tell her I hadn’t painted, so I did the minimum the first few days, but eventually started painting longer periods almost every day. I made many mistakes, but they didn’t deter me. I’m back to painting almost every day and am loving it once again!
If my story sounds familiar to your journey, let me encourage you to hurry up and make mistakes! Make mistakes with an accountability partner, or do it on your own. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Please feel free to share your latest works at:
All the best, Patty ~
P.S. Here’s proof that I’m painting. My fav in this series, so far!
AAWV NEW MEMBERSHIP: Our next new Member Jury session will be held Oct 10, 2026. The sessions are held quarterly and are done digitally. Applicants will send photos of 5 of their artworks, both front and back (to show they are wired), along with the application form and payment, either by check or Paypal on the AAWV website. Applications may be sent to Newman Jackson, New Member Jury Chairman, at
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• GALLERY ELEVEN: CRAZY 8’S EXHIBIT and GUEST ARTIST: PHOTOGRAPHER & AUTHOR - BETTY RIVARD: OPENING RECEPTION: August 8, 3 - 7pm. EXHIBITS RUN: Through Aug 29. Gallery Eleven, 205 W. Washington St, Charleston, WV 25302. www.galleryeleven.com
• 24th WEST VIRGINIA JURIED EXHIBITION: ENTRY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 14. INITIAL JURYING: Late August. OPENING RECEPTION: Nov 6. EXHIBITION RUN: Nov 6, 2026 - Feb 13, 2027. For more information, please contact Exhibits Coordinator, Sidney Duncan at
• ART WALK: Thurs, August 20, 5pm - 8pm. Downtown Charleston, WV.
• ECHOES OF THE HOLLOW: IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Aug 28. OPENING RECEPTION: Oct 3, 1 - 3 pm. EXHIBIT RUN: Oct 2 - Nov 15. Tamarack, One Tamarack Pk, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• MEET ME ON MARKET: 3rd Friday of the month, Aug 21 & Sept 18. Music,art, family fun. Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. www.parkersburgartcenter.org
• THE RIVER 2026 EXHIBIT: RUN THROUGH: Sept 5. This year’s theme is “America’s 250th Birthday”. For information: CLICK HERE: THE RIVER . Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Phone 304-485-3859. www.parkersburgartcenter.org
• FOLK ART AT THE LAKES: Sept 6 - 11. Classes: Watercolors by AAWV member Debbie Lester, Bowed Psaltery/Mountain Dulcimer, Clay Sculpting, Natural Dyeing, Stained Glass, Tinsmithing, Woodcarving, and Woodturning. Cedar Lakes Conference Center, 82 FFA Dr, Ripley, WV www.cedarlakes.com To Register: Call 304-372-7860
• SEASONS OF THE RIDGE: EXHIBITION RUN: Through Sept 27. Tamarack, One Tamarack Pk, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• STRANGER THINGS: EXHIBIT RUNS: Through Sept 4. Features original props, creature effects, set pieces, costumes, and behind-the-scenes artwork by Seay Earheart, who worked on Stranger Things from Season 1 through Season 5 as Scenic Foreman, Lead Set Designer, Special Effects Artist, and Lead Sculptor. Beckley Art Center, 600 Johnstown Rd, Beckley, WV 25801. 304-894-1251. https://beckleyartcenter.com
• INFINITE BOUNDS: WOMEN IN ART THROUGH THE DECADES: Exhibit Run Through: Sept 13. The Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301. www.theclaycenter.org
• STILL LIFE: DRAWING FROM LIFE: EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH: Oct 4. Engage directly with the art-making process while exploring rarely exhibited still life works from The Clay Center’s permanent collection. At the center of the gallery, a curated still life arrangement will serve as a working studio space, where visitors are encouraged to create their own interpretations of Still Life drawings using the materials provided. The Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301. www.theclaycenter.org
MEMBERS RECOGNITION:
Debbie Kalt Sisson had one entry selected to be part of The River exhibit at Parkersburg Art Center. She has one painting featured in this year’s Wolfe Creek Calendar and 2 to be featured in the 2027 calendar. Both Debbie and Steve Sisson had work accepted into the Best of West Virginia Exhibit at Tamarack, and both had several pieces selected for the Seasons of the Ridge Exhibit at Tamarack. They had their work shown at Gallery 11 in Charleston during June, and they also participated in Summerfest at Tamarack, resulting in some sales. Both had 4 pieces each in the French Art Colony Show in Gallipolis, OH, where Debbie received a 1st and 2nd place award, and Steve got a 3rd place and Honorable Mention. Congratulations to the Sissons!
Dinah McCloud had 2 paintings selected for the 2027 WV DNR Wildlife Calendar. She also had 2 paintings selected for the Wolfe Creek Calendar. Congratulations, Dinah!
Liz Haley was chosen to be a juror for the upcoming juried session at Tamarack on August 15. Congratulations, Liz!
Norma Jean Heim will have an exhibit by invitation at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV September 11 through October. Congratulations, Norma!
WEBSITE: Join the AAWV gallery and Featured Members directory. Submit your bio, your picture, plus jpg files of your art to Featured Member Artist Page & Gallery Submission Form. If you need assistance with the form, contact Linda Stonestreet.
NEWSLETTER: Send Awards, Exhibitions, and information to Editor, Stella Jarrett
MAIL DUES TO: AAWV, ℅ Howard Rogers, P. O. Box 1471, St Albans, WV 25177.
