Our next AAWV meeting will be in March, 2026. There are no meetings scheduled for January and February.
Special thanks to Nan Perry and Monty Brown for their amazing slide presentation at our November meeting. They took us along with them, as they showed pictures and shared memories of their recent trip to Ireland. The stories of their daily Plein Air Painting adventures captivated our attention, as they described the colorful skies and landscapes of Ireland. They held our attention as they added their own special touch of humor, while recounting events and situations from their daily excursions. It was a memorable presentation!
AAWV CHRISTMAS DINNER: Thurs, Dec 18th, 6pm. Cross Lanes United Methodist Church, 5320 Frontier Dr, Charleston, WV 25313. DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From the main Cross Lanes stop light, go one block and turn left on Frontier Dr. This will be a covered dish event with AAWV providing ham. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish to share. Please call or text Patty Stewart 304-610-5493 by Dec 12, and let us know if you will attend and how many will be joining you so we will know how many tables to set up. Last minute attendees are also welcome. Bring NEW art supplies to be taken to the Hovah Hall Underwood Children’s Home in Ona.
The opening reception for our next AAWV exhibit has been confirmed for Sept 18, 2026 from 5pm - 7pm at Parkersburg Art Center. Your artwork must have been completed in the last 3 years, and must have never been exhibited at Parkersburg Art Center. We are advising everyone early!
The countdown to get new artwork made for the show is 7 months!
2026 MEMBERSHIP DUES: Dues should be paid by Jan 1, 2026. You can mail your check, made out to AAWV for $30.00, to AAWV Treasurer, Howard Rogers, P. O. Box 1471, St Albans, WV 25177. You can also pay your dues by Paypal on the AAWV website.
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM PATTY STEWART: The five main sources of inspiration for artists are nature, personal experiences and emotions, culture and history, other artists and their work, and imagination and other creative mediums. These categories represent the diverse wellsprings from which artists draw to create their art.
I personally have been inspired to create by all of these things. However, no matter what has inspired me to create, I must make time to regularly practice my craft, or my inspiration is quick to leave. I know I harp on practicing your discipline of art, but it’s so important to keep our creative juices flowing. I know personally, because once I stop for a few days, I’m the worst at starting up again.
One thing I suggest is having another artist help keep you on track. Make yourself accountable to someone who will be faithful to check up on you and encourage you to get to work. I know this has worked for me on several occasions, so I encourage you to try it. (Don’t ask a spouse. They will check on your progress way more often than you want!) :) ~ Patty
AAWV NEW MEMBERSHIP: Our next new Member Jury session will be held January 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:
• SMALL PACKAGES 2025: Exhibit Run: Through Jan 3. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• DREAMSCAPES: Image Submission Deadline: Dec 6. Opening Reception, Jan 10, 1pm - 3pm. Exhibition Run: Jan 10 - March 8, 2026. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• MOMENT CONSTANT - SOLO EXHIBIT BY LINA ARNOLD; AND LOG CABIN QUILTERS GUILD EXHIBIT: Opening Reception: Wed, Dec 3, 4 - 6pm. Exhibit Run: Dec 3 - Jan 21. The Arts Center, 2 Park St, Elkins, WV 26241. www.randolpharts.org
• HOLIDAY ARTIST MARKET: Fri, Dec 5, 10am - 5pm, & Sat, Dec 6, 10am - 4pm. The Arts Center, 2 Park St, Elkins, WV 26241. www.randolpharts.org
• WEST VIRGINIA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY - ALL MEMBER EXHIBIT 2025: ANYTHING GOES - WILD THINGS: Exhibition Runs: Through Dec 20. Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. www.parkersburgartcenter.org www.wvwatercolorsociety.org
• ARTIST TREES 2025: Through Dec 20. The PAC’s annual artist tree display is a yearly event. Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. www.parkersburgartcenter.org
• The Randolph County Development Authority (RCDA) invites qualified artists and artist teams to submit proposals for site-integrated artwork to be incorporated into the new Railyard Event & Conference Center located in Elkins, West Virginia. The goal of this project is to celebrate and reflect the historical significance of the Elkins railyard and its enduring impact on the region’s cultural, economic, and industrial identity. For more information: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1jCvp6RQCKZcC5zdzBqMYwstV1D5D8PtXFHJOiTudQVs/mobilebasic
• PATCHWORK APPALACHIA: IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Feb 7. Opening Reception: March 14, 1pm - 3pm. Exhibition Run: March 14 - May 10. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• TRI-STATE ARTS ASSOCIATION BIENNIAL JURIED EXHIBITION: Drop-off will be March 6 and March 7, 2026. Actual artwork is received and will be judged by 2 jurors. Artwork must have been completed in the past 2 years. Prospectus will be available soon! Huntington Museum of Art, Studio One, 2033 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25705. www.tri-stateartsassociation.org
• WEST VIRGINIA CREATIVE NETWORK: CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR FELLOWSHIP EXHIBITION: Runs Through Dec 8. This exhibit celebrates eight artists and creative entrepreneurs recognized for their talents and innovative spirit. Juliet Art Museum, Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301 www.theclaycenter.org
• GOOD BUSINESS: ANDY WARHOL’S SCREENPRINTS: Exhibit Runs: Through March 29. Provides insight into the art of screenprinting and highlights how Warhol used this technique. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301 www.theclaycenter.org
• HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART: Evergreen: Treasures From the Daywood Collection and Joyful Spirits: Haitian Art from the Winslow Anderson Collection: Through Feb 8, 2026. Huntington Museum of Arts, 2033 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25705 www.hmoa.org
MEMBERS RECOGNITION:
Belinda Armstrong’s artwork was selected for “Luminosity”, 2025 Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society. Congratulations, Belinda!
Debbie Kalt Sisson had the honor, for the 12th time, of painting a portrait for the Jackson County Community Foundation. This year she painted a portrait of Tim Tebow who was the guest at this year’s community dinner/fundraiser. He was a huge asset to the fundraising capabilities of the foundation. The painting is signed with a message from the guest and is donated to the fundraiser each year to hang with others in the office. Congratulations, Debbie!
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.
