The 2013 date for the Wheeling Arts Fest has been announced! Join us on Saturday, June 22, 2013 for the third annual Wheeling Arts Fest at West Virginia Northern Community College Square, West Virginia Independence Hall, and the Ohio County Public Library. We will be following up our highly successful first two years with an Artists’ Market where visitors are transported into an artist community. All of the participating artists at the Wheeling Arts Fest will demonstrate their craft for the community throughout the day. The Artists Market will provide a unique art event where you can view and purchase the works of local Wheeling, WV and tri-state artists. Historical performances and informative installations on Wheeling history will go on throughout the day as well as readings by authors originally from Wheeling and two stages of dance, music, and theatre.

2013 Call for Artists

Deadline: March 15, 2013

Artist Applications for the 2013 Wheeling Arts Fest are online now.  Read below for details on application and booth fees.

Application

Application deadline is March 15, 2013.

This juried market is open to all artists who exhibit and sell work of original concept, design, and execution. Artist demonstrations are expected. No manufacturers‘ representations will be permitted to exhibited or to be sold at the Artists’ Market. Participation is subject to approval.There is a $20 fee to apply to the show and artists who are juried in will pay a $50 festival fee.

The Show

Presented by the Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission, the Wheeling Arts Fest is an annual event designed to heighten cultural and art awareness while fostering economic development in Wheeling’s downtown area. The festival takes place in  West Virginia Northern Community College Square, the Ohio County Public Library and West Virginia Independence Hall.

The public will enjoy two stages featuring music, theatre, dance, literary arts, historical and cultural arts.  The square at West Virginia Northern Community College will house the Artists’ Market where visitors have the opportunity to purchase original paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, sculptures and watch skilled artisans demonstrate their talent throughout the day. 16th Street will feature a myriad of culinary arts to satisfy every taste.  Make sure to stop by the children’s tent for free classes art and face painting too!

Families will enjoy a day of fun, food and educational experiences free of charge while supporting the arts.

From Randolph’s Website:

I have lived a life dedicated to art since I was a young buck. I studied Illustration and Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Industrial Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I have recieved many awards over the years including a 20,000 $ combined merit and portfolio award from the Savannah College of Art and Design. As a student at SCAD, I was involved in several extracuricular activities such as The Society of Illustrators in which I was the Vice President.. I have been creating custom work by consignment including, drawings, paintings, murals, portraiture, and graphic design for over 12 years. I have participated in numerous festivals drawing portraits on site, as well as the sales of fine art in many locations including, Chicago Illinois, Asheville North Carolina, Savannah Georgia, Wheeling West Virginia, and more.

Smoke Daddy & the Crawfish was first formed circa 1995 by founding member Jeff Tappe. He and Ed Couture were members of one the area’s most popular variety bands called, “The Shop.” Jeff and Ed were looking to put something together on the side as sort of a change of pace from The Shop. Long time friend of Jeff’s, drummer, Bob Gibb, was just hanging out in New Martinsville. He was a natural fit. The call was made and Smoke Daddy & the Crawfish was born. Jeff and Ed continued with The Shop and Bob was doing a lot of freelancing, so Smoke Daddy was just a side project for the guys. The band gigged infrequently at first, playing about once a month at “Down on Main St.,” and “Peaches,” in North Wheeling.