West Virginias 10 Contemporary Art Galleries You Should Visit

West Virginia isn’t exactly known for its burgeoning art scene, but those who look closely will discover a number of intriguing galleries loyal to the state’s native artists and unique cultural identity. Here are our picks for the top art galleries in the Mountain State.

Birke Art Gallery

As part of the Marshall University School of Arts and Design, Birke Art Gallery acts as a vital resource for the students studying at the university. The gallery offers an opportunity for students to exhibit work while serving as a hub for contemporary art in which locals can interact with the work of up-and-coming artists. Annual exhibitions for students and graduates showcase the best new work to a wide audience comprised of other students, faculty and the broader community. Marshall University have also recently opened a new gallery, the Visual Arts Center, found in downtown Huntington. Situated in a stunningly renovated turn of the 20th Century building the site aims to bridge the gap between the city’s historical past and the future of the University and it’s pupils.
The Birke Art Gallery, School of Art and Design, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, West Virginia, 25755, United States +1 304-696-2296
The Visual Arts Center, 927 Third Avenue, Huntington, WV

1. The Paul and Laura Mesaros Galleries

University

The Paul and Laura Mesaros Galleries

An exhibition space connected to West Virginia University, The Paul and Laura Mesaros Galleries are named after prominent art donors to the institution. The galleries focus predominantly on experimental art with a view to further the discourse surrounding diverse artistic media and act as a place in which to display and observe works. The Contemporary artists that are featured in the gallery are also invited to speak at the University in public lectures or workshops.
Mesaros Galleries, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United Statess +1 304 293 2312

3. The Art Store

Art Gallery, Store

The Art Store was established back in 1972 and has since demonstrated an unswervingly dedication to showing the best of local and national contemporary arts. Paintings, sculptures and prints are all on display with exhibitions changing regularly so as to provide collectors with a valuable selection of fresh works. Retrospectives to celebrate the shop are periodically held to celebrate the best artists to have passed through its doors.

4. Arabia’s Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Arabia’s Art Gallery is a community space that involves and educates the public in the artistic process. Owner Stephen Arabia is an art teacher of 35 years who brings his experience to aspiring and experienced artists alike through a series of classes and seminars. Works exhibited in the gallery include those by his students as well as a selection of paintings, pottery, woodcraft, carvings, baskets, and glassworks by over 150 artists. Classes are run year round on location to lend an air of inspiration to each individual.

5. Tamarack David L Dickirson Gallery

Restaurant, American

Tamarack David L. Dickirson Gallery is a fine arts gallery that shows the best works from throughout the state of West Virginia. Dedicated to the art of state residents, the gallery rotates its exhibitions every six to eight weeks so as to constantly refresh the exciting new work on display. Works are subjected to the scrutiny of a jury before being exhibited so as to maintain a display of the utmost quality and highest standard.

6. Mountain Made

Store

Mountain Made

Mountain Made unites artists of West Virginia with those from other areas of the United States. Artworks shown here take influence from the mountainous regions of Appalachia in a community with a fondness for locally created and inspired artworks. This preference is part of an enduring desire to promote Appalachian tradition and heritage through displays of everything from glass ornaments to handmade woodcrafts.
Mountain Made Artisan Gallery & Country Store, 100 Front St, Thomas, West Virginia, 26292, Tucker County, United States, +1 304 933-9352

7. Zenclay

Store

Zenclay is a centre for the arts with exhibitions and classes for both adults and children dealing mostly in pottery and clay. The Galleries show some of the best local artwork that has been created both through and independently of Zenclay. Three distinct work/exhibition spaces —one for ceramics and sculpture, one for prints, painting and photography, and one uniting two and three dimensional works— comprise Zenclay to give appropriate space to the various forms of art produced and displayed here.

8. Cooper Gallery

Cooper Gallery

The Cooper Gallery has been representing some of the best artists in West Virginia since 1995 and specialises in the display and sale of fine art. The proprietors are artists in their own right and employ their keen artistic sensibility to select works to display in the gallery. With a rich community of creatives working in the area the gallery has plenty to see. Furthermore, its location in the historic Lewisburg allows visitors to make a day of it by exploring the array of other cultural activities in the area.
Cooper Gallery, 122 E. Washington St. Lewisburg, West Virginia, 24901, United States, +1 304 645 6439

9. Harmony Ridge Gallery

Art Gallery, Shop

Celebrating the best in American art and handcrafts the Harmony Ridge Gallery started out life in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as the Harmony Isle Gallery before moving to Lewisburg in 2004. Ten years on it is still showing the best in jewellery, pottery, woodwork and painting from American artists, architects and designers. An in house coffee shop and bar allows customers to relax and enjoy a drink whilst perusing the art pieces on display.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.