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Randolph County is an art lover’s dream. With over 600 art, music, and dance related events in 2019 it’s easy to see that we are home to a thriving arts community. Here you can find everything from fine art to folk art. Whether you want to create, participate, take home, or watch and listen, these are some of the many different ways you can experience the arts in Randolph County.

CREATE:

From hands-on classes to one-time workshops, there are lots of opportunities to create your own work of art:

Shops in downtown Elkins offer classes to the locals and visitors, just make sure you reserve your space prior to your visit.  The Delmonte Market hosts regular workshops in painting, photography, jewelry making, and more. S&T Bees hosts arts and crafts classes as well as beekeeping classes. Ceramics with Class is a specialty ceramics shop that lets you paint-your-own ceramic pieces with take home kits and classes. The Elkins Sewing Center offers classes for quilters and sewers of all ages and skill levels.

In addition to their galleries and events, the Randolph County Arts Center hosts classes for children and adults in a variety of mediums.

Woodworkers can learn new skills and rent equipment at the WV Wood Technology Center. The Woodworking Center hosts monthly seminars and skill-set trainings for professionals and beginners.

PARTICIPATE:

Whether you’re a visual artist, crafter, musician, or dancer, there is plenty of ways you can participate in the arts community and learn something new:

Every summer Augusta Heritage Center offers three weeks of intensive lessons in the traditional arts including crafts like cooking, blacksmithing, pottery, and genres like bluegrass, old-time, blues, Cajun, country, and more.

If you’re a dancer, or want to learn traditional dance, there are a lot of opportunities to cut a rug. Try square dancing in Helvetia or contra dancing in Beverly. The Mountain Dance Trail provides a calendar of traditional dances scheduled all over West Virginia.

Held every Wednesday evening in Elkins City Park, Pickin’ in the Park is an open jam session that welcomes old-time and bluegrass musicians, newcomers and veterans alike.

The Mountain Arts District is a cooperative effort to promote north-central West Virginia as an art destination. Artists and organizations may join their directory and support marketing and networking efforts for regional artists by becoming a member or sponsoring MAD.

TAKE HOME:

Find a locally-made, hand-crafted, or one-of-a-kind treasure to take home with you or give as a gift:

Many shops in downtown Elkins carry locally made products. Artists at Work is a co-op of local artists that showcases the work of over 20 artisans that create jewelry, paintings, photography, fiber arts and more. The Delmonte Market offers unique West Virginia artisan products, gift items, jewelry, and even a flower shop. In addition to their local honey products, S&T’s Bees has wood, country, primitive, and crocheted items.

Craft lovers can find hand-made goodies at our many seasonal craft shows and holiday markets including the Ramps & Rail Festival, The Augusta Heritage Festival, Pickens Maple Syrup Festival, and the Mountain State Forest Festival. Holiday bazaars spring up all over the county around Christmastime. ArtsBank holds an annual art auction to fund arts education in our county’s public schools.

The Mountain Arts District directory lists dozens of galleries and individual artists with all types of products for sale that can be purchased online.

WATCH AND LISTEN:

If you’re not artistically inclined, or you just want to relax and enjoy a performance, there’s plenty for you to see:

Enjoy music and a meal at the Gandy Dancer Theatre, West Virginia’s only Branson-style dinner show.

Theater fans can catch performances throughout the year by students at The Old Brick Playhouse, Davis & Elkins College, Elkins High School, or Randolph Elkins Area Community Theatre (REACT).

Hear live music at one of the many venues or restaurants in the county. See our event calendar to find a show.

Browse a rotating fine arts exhibit at The Arts Center or Davis & Elkins College.

As you can see the arts scene in Randolph County is buzzing, featuring local fine artists, performing arts venues, mountain crafters, folk artists, art galleries, small shops and a variety of art events.

Header Photo Credit: Paint and Sip class instructed by “Studio 405 ” Artist, Alice-Gervais, hosted by El Gran Sabor, Student Rob Masten.