~Edgar Degas “A Star, 1876”
Our next AAWV meeting will be Thursday, March 26 at 6pm at the Dunbar Public Library, 301 12th St, Dunbar, WV 25064. Future meetings are scheduled for April 23 and May 28. Now is the time to pay your dues of $30.00. You can bring your payment to the March meeting, or 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. Details on our website: Paying Your Dues - Allied Artists of West Virginia
The 74th AAWV Juried Exhibit will be held this year at Parkersburg Art Center. The opening reception has been confirmed for Sept 18, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm. Your artwork must have been completed in the last 3 years, and must have never been exhibited at Parkersburg Art Center. More information will be shared as it is available. The countdown is on! We have 5 months to prepare our artwork!!
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM PATTY STEWART: I think that, as artists, we often adhere to the “rules” of our discipline and forget the unfettered spontaneity we had as children. This month, while we may be holed up inside due to weather, take a little time and let go of being rigid and just play with your art.
Recently, I was playing with watercolors without asking anyone what or how to paint (because I know nothing about them), just messing around the best I know how. While it won’t become my choice of medium, it was just plain fun to play and it brought me joy!
AAWV NEW MEMBERSHIP: Our next new Member Jury session will be held April 11, 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:
• ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE: Feb 9 - 10. Registration Deadline: Feb 4, 5pm. Join us at the WV Culture Center in Charleston for two days of arts programming featuring artists and arts organizations from across West Virginia. You’ll get hands-on experience, share big ideas, and connect with fellow artists, educators, and leaders. https://www.wvtourism.com/ WV Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd E, Bldg 9, Charleston, WV 25305. Contact Jenna Green at:
• ARTS DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE: Wed, Feb 11. Registration Deadline: Feb 4, 5pm. Excellent opportunity for artists and arts organizations to showcase their work in the West Virginia Capitol Rotunda during the legislative session! Exhibit space will be equipped with one 6 ft table and two chairs. QUESTIONS: Contact Jenna Green at
• 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
• 2026 ARTIST SERIES DESIGN CONTEST: CALL FOR ARTISTS: Runs: Through March 1. Enter to win a $350 prize. Information: https://activeswv.org/2025/12/artist-design-contest/ Melanie Seiler, Executive Director, Active Southern West Virginia, 118 North Heber St, Beckley, WV 25801. 304-254-8488. Email:
• INSTRUCTOR GATHERING AT THE ARTS CENTER, ELKINS, WV: DATE & TIME: TBA - This will be generated from the survey sent. Looking for candidates for art instruction. PLEASE COMPLETE THE INSTRUCTOR SURVEY: https://forms.gle/pFbRoEM146MxsWZo9 Dani Cade, Executive Director, Art is Life!, Randolph Arts Center, Elkins, WV https://www.randolpharts.org
• DREAMSCAPES: Exhibition Run: Through March 8, 2026. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. https://www.tamarackwv.com/
• JUDY VAN GUNDY: A LIFE OF ART & CRAFT: Runs Through: March 16. Solo exhibition. Maxwell Gallery, The Arts Center, 2 Park St, Elkins, WV 26241 https://www.randolpharts.org/scheduleofevents/2026/1/29/judy-van-gundy-a-life-of-art-craft-solo-exhibition?rq=Judy%20Van%20Gundy
• THROUGH THE WINDOW: WINTER ART CONTEST. Free and open to artists of all skill levels and ages in the tri-state area. Live drawing perspectives with local artists and local businesses. Register day of event at The Frame Station, 703 14th St West, Huntington, WV 25704. DATES: Wed, Feb 11, Sat, Feb 28. Sign in at noon. Return art work by 4pm. https://www.oldcentralcity.org/2026/02/11/399860/through-the-window-art-contest-3
• RINSE AND REPEAT: AN EXHIBIT BY ART BEAT STUDIO: and “RABBIT MEDICINE AND OTHER WORLD-BUILDING ART BY SAVANNAH SCHROLL GUZ: Exhibition Run: Through Feb 21. Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. 304-485-3859 https://www.parkersburgartcenter.org/
• TRI-STATE ARTS ASSOCIATION BIENNIAL JURIED EXHIBITION 2026: Receiving: (Studio 2 behind Museum) Sat, March 7, 11am - 3pm, and Sun, March 8, 1pm - 3pm. Opening Reception: March 22, 2pm - 4pm. Exhibition: March 21 - June 21. For information, Contact Leigh McDonald,
• 2026 VETERANS ART SHOW: Entries must be submitted by March 27, 2026. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, the WV Dept of Tourism has announced the 2026 Veterans Art Show. WV veterans are encouraged to submit works of art honoring both our local and national heritage. All designs will be on display for public viewing in the WV Culture Center Museum Gallery beginning May 9, 2026. For more information and submission form: wvtourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025.11.10_Veterans-Artwork-Perspectus_Final_Fillable.pdf Questions: Contact Sidney Duncan, Cultural Program & Exhibits Coordinator 304-558-0220 ext 175. wvtourism.com/2026-veterans-art-show/ WV Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd East, Charleston, WV 25305.
• 18th ANNUAL BEST OF WEST VIRGINIA: IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 11. Opening Reception: May 16, 1pm - 3pm. Exhibit Runs: May 16 - July 26. Open to all West Virginia residents. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF KANAWHA COUNTY - ARTIST RETREAT: April 19 - 22. Register now for 3 days of painting, relaxation, and connection at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, 82 FFA Dr, Ripley, WV. You will be free to work outdoors or in the classroom at your own pace. Bring supplies and any needed resource materials. Breakfast and lunch trays will be included in the retreat cost. If you wish, you may purchase a cafeteria meal ticket. Limited to 10 participants. Registration $20. Cost $90 (Less your registration fee). The Conference Center will reserve an adequate number of rooms at your expense. Reserve your room by calling 304-372-7860. For information or to register for the retreat: Call Carol Hilleary 304-542-1503 or Nan Perry 256-276-0849.
• WV WILDLIFE CALENDAR: WV Dept of Natural Resources is accepting submissions of original native wildlife paintings for the next edition of the West Virginia Wildlife Calendar. QUESTIONS: Contact Sanya George 304-637-0245 ext 00363. Email
• THE PLACES BETWEEN: IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 16 - 25. EXHIBIT RUNS: April 13 - May 24. OPENING RECEPTION: April 17. TO REGISTER: Go to: https://www.beckleyartcenter.com/art-show-submission-form Beckley Art Center, 600 Johnstown Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 www.beckleyartcenter.com 304-894-1251
• 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 https://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. Exploring Clay in Color Through Abstraction: Through March 29. Huntington Museum of Arts, 2033 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25705 https://www.hmoa.org/
• MEMENTO MORI: PAINTINGS BY ROBERT SINGLETON: Exhibit Runs: Through March 15. Juliet Art Museum, Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301. https://www.theclaycenter.org/
MEMBERS RECOGNITION:
Melanie Myhre had 7 pieces of art accepted for the Dreamscapes Exhibit at Tamarack. She also had 4 pieces accepted for the Folk Magic Show at Love Hope Arts. Melanie has signed a new licensing agreement with Forever Caroline LLC in Marietta, OH. Her images will be available internationally on greeting cards, journals, and more. Congratulations, Melanie!
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.
