Best West Virginia town for writers or artists? (Charleston, Huntington: credit, house)

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

Morgantown has an active chapter of West Virginia Writers....the state flagship organization...

Hey, and you know I was about to sign up for their workshops coming up at the end of July (even got a grant from the Arts Council that would make it possible!) when my DH admits he "forgot" to ask for the time off work.... Dead man walking....

Thanks for the tip about McClain Publishing, I hadn't discovered them yet---nor Parsons, so will definitely look into it.

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by Threerun

artsy fartsy tinge..

They have plays in the summer (Contemporary Arts Theater Festival) and all sorts of little crap like that going on throughout the year.

Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!!

Thanks for that--I'll take it as a warning! I'm on the other end of the spectrum in commercial fiction. But writing full-time is a lonely job, and it's nice to be able to attend a conference that's not too far away, or belong to a productive writers' group (without those self-absorbed misunderstood literati *gaaack*), or be welcome at the library in spite of endless questions and research.

Contemporary Arts Theater Festival....I'd be closing the shutters and hiding under the bed.



Now the Charleston BOOK FESTIVAL in October, oh, I'm SO THERE!!

[LilyLaLa]

Tim, I'm afraid you're going to finally convince me on Huntington... thanks for all that great info, even if it does pull me much farther southwest than I originally wanted!

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

If I was going to write, I would want to write in a quiet, serene place. Where I could feel at one with myself and nature. I would pick the mountains over the city, and try to escape as much as possible.

Thanks for the Randolph link, dear! I agree with you completely about that environment---where I live now is a million miles from anything (feels like it at least) and if I walk two miles down the mountain, I'm in my local village: four pubs and a post office that's open two days a week. I always write at home, but it's nice to have resources that aren't *too* far away; for me now, every conference or event or even large library is three hours away or more, and I often have to book a hotel room for evening events because the trains stop running at 7pm which is so stupid when hotels charge a week's salary for a night but why bring that up here (blood pressure to worry about these days...)


Pocahontas County tempts me. Long forest walks would be a dream. I have a wood nearby here, with ancient tombs and dolmens and moss dripping from everything (love it), but it's not big enough to get lost in, and tourist signposts are everywhere .

So yes, it's woods and mountains and peace and quiet definitely...but outside WHICH centre-of-writing-excellence?

Hmmm.....Elkins, Morgantown, distant Huntington, Charleston...and Parsons.

Do writers/artists get a special tax rate in West Virginia? We get a break in Ireland ....perhaps because, I suppose, we contribute to the culture (bwahh haa haa haaaaa oh please)

[tbailey1138]

I don't know about tax breaks but you can get grants.
Huntington artist given one of eight fellowships - Huntington, WV -- The Herald-Dispatch

[Bobilee]

I think promoting the arts in WV is a great idea for so many reasons. People don't realize just how much money can be drawn into a community, particularly if it is a year-round artists' community. It is a way to rescue some small towns and rural communities, though not everyone would want it and in many cases it would be impractical. For instance, there is the glass blowing and arts center in Millville, NJ. West Virginia is also a perfect place for painters. If the state could help get a few arts centers and arts residencies going, and I don't mean just the larger towns, it would take off on its own. WheatonArts - Winter Session Fellows

[harborlady]

Lily the state is relatively small to travel in, so even if you don't live in huntington proper, an occassional day trip for an event wouldn't be so outrageous even if gas is $4/gallon. Home base is more important, the rest can be accomplished by internet or car as needed I'd think. Charleston has the clay center for the arts but I've yet to visit, been mostly working on the house, less out and about. Anything you'd like me to check out in charleston I can visit when I make my rounds in that direction, no problemo. I've been to the library and it's not all that bad. Pretty substantial considering, and wifi hookups abound.
I'm thinking if you can network with this crowd, the more esoteric people you're looking to have community with will emerge.
WV Writers: Writers Groups Around the State

[tbailey1138]

Here's some more info about arts grants. Not sure if this is something that you can use but it may be helpful to know where the info is at in the future.
Grant Program Forms and Instructions

Here's a picture of Art in the Park incase you missed in in the other thread.

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by harborlady

Home base is more important, the rest can be accomplished by internet or car as needed I'd think.

That's exactly what I thought too, until my tenth year out in the wilds...now I think I'd like a bit more company, especially of a kindred-spirit-kind.

A weird thing--I used to loooooove driving. I'd go for a drive for no reason...now I hate it I don't really know why. I don't mind fifteen minute drives, but longer, ugh.

Thanks for that link! I might try to get in touch with some folks that way.

Tim, thanks again! I love the photo!

And thanks EVERYONE for some great tips and ideas and feedback! You're the best.

[Ceezer]

I'll put my bid in for Parkersburg in this thread, too. For classes you have Marietta College (a very highly regarded liberal arts school), WVU-Parkersburg, and a few community/technical colleges. Ohio University is 30-40 minutes away.

Marietta hosts it's Artwalk during most of their downtown festivities which is for local artists only. The downtown bookstore in Marietta also works to promote local writers (there may be one or two in Pburg that do the same).

And the Mid-Ohio Valley could inspire anyone. It's hard to imagine so much history & tradition, arts & entertainment, and wilderness & scenery in such a small area. It's the heart of Americana.

Since tbaily posted a picture, I will too... It's not as visually descriptive but gives you a good idea of the effort they're putting forth. Lots of local artists also put their wares in the Farmers' Market on the weekend, too. If you're not aware, Marietta is across the river and about 8 miles downstream from Pburg.

[WVUPharm2007]

Heh. Someday someone will recommend a town that isn't their hometown.....and I'll do a double-take.