Tag Archives: Wheeling Arts Fest
Artists Spotlight: Allegro Dance Company
Allegro Dance Company based in Wheeling, WV comprised of young men and women from the tri-state area will be tour once again this summer. Allegro was formed in 1994 by Director Anna Pishner Harsh out of love and inspiration of being an Italian-American. Allegro 
educates, entertains and enriches audiences about the Italian culture. By fusing traditional Italian dance with other dance styles, Allegro provides a unique & contemporary look inside Italy’s past and present. They have toured throughout the US and Italy at festivals, concerts, universities, public schools, parades and
Arts Fest Commission Drums Up New Ideas
More artful activities are planned for second year
April 5, 2012
After success in its rookie year, the Wheeling Arts Fest will enter its second year this summer with more activities for the public.
The Wheeling Arts and Culture Commission, a public group appointed by Mayor Andy McKenzie, will host the all-day festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 14 at West Virginia Northern Community College on the Square, Independence Hall and the Ohio County Public Library. It will feature many forms of art such as visual art, theater, literature, culinary work and music and dance.
A continuing theme from last year is that taxpayer money will represent less than 20 percent of the festival’s budget, despite being a city commission project, said commission Chairwoman Erika Donaghy.
Last year, the city contributed $1,000, but that amount could be as much as $5,000 this year. The total festival budget is $25,000, Donaghy said.The venue will remain the same as last year – with 16th Street from Market to Chapline streets closed to traffic – because it is “a good atmosphere to create art” and is more “homey,” Donaghy said.
There will be more opportunities for guests to get hands-on experience at the festival.
“This isn’t just an event where you come and look at art,” Donaghy said. “Anyone from a child to 100 years old can come create art.”
The community will be able to come together to create murals, paintings and other compositions in various workshops. Children will have a special area to express their creativity.
The commission will bring back several exhibit types from last year, such as West Virginia Northern Community College culinary students as vendors, Independence Hall hosting historic re-enactments, local author readings at the library and a live artists’ marketplace on the square.
There will also be two stages for dance groups, bands and other performing arts. Donaghy said the stages will run in opposite shifts so there are little interruptions between acts and one can start once the previous one ends. There will be 10 acts through the day.
Local playwright Jeremy Richter is scheduled to present the second act of a play he introduced last year, “Political Little Ones,” based on the case of Lucy Bagby, a young Wheeling woman who was believed to be the last slave returned under the Fugitive Slave Act before the Civil War.
The commission will continue taking artist and vendor applications through April 14. To register, visit wheelingartsfest.com/apply.
Photo provided – The Allegro Dance Company of Wheeling performs during the 2011 Wheeling Arts Fest.
WesBanco Named Presenting Sponsor of First Annual Wheeling Arts Fest
WesBanco Named Presenting Sponsor of First Annual Wheeling Arts Fest
| WesBanco, Inc. has been named the Presenting Sponsor of the first annual Wheeling Arts Fest scheduled for Saturday, August 20th. Through their sponsorship, WesBanco and their employees have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the artistic, cultural and creative strengths of Wheeling. “WesBanco is pleased to support the endeavors of the Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission and to be named the Presenting Sponsor of this landmark event,” said Paul Limbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of WesBanco, Inc. “WesBanco is committed to promoting and supporting programs that stimulate economic development and showcase not only Wheeling’s great cultural heritage and quality of life, but also the other communities we serve.” |
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The Wheeling Arts Fest will showcase performing and visual artists, authors and historical presenters celebrating the upcoming 150th anniversary of statehood for West Virginia. For more information about the Wheeling Arts Fest or for volunteer opportunities, visit the Wheeling Arts Fest website at www.wheelingartsfest.com. Facebook members can also sign up to become a fan of Wheeling Arts Fest where they can receive updates on the festival schedule and activities. Wheeling Arts Fest is a multi-disciplinary festival produced by the City of Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission and presented by WesBanco, Inc. Additional support has been made possible through the generous contributions of organizations, businesses, and individuals. The City of Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission serves to promote and develop artistic and cultural activities and initiatives that stimulate economic development and advance the quality of life and vibrancy of the greater Wheeling area. |
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