The Art and Craft of Appalachia

Greater Morgantown’s Art History

Appalachian History

Appalachian art began in the mountains, where the land was rugged and the people were, too. It was born out of necessity.

Traditional Appalachian art draws inspiration from the natural environment, stories, and music from the region, history, and the world of imagination. It can be both functional and artistic. Other art may be expressive of the maker’s creativity or may communicate a message.

People still buy Appalachian art for the same reasons- its quality and its craftsmanship.

Art for Sale

“Customers cherish works for their functionality and aesthetic, but most importantly for knowing that it was specifically made by the artist,” said Susan Ramey, potter and owner of Ridgetop Pottery in Kingwood, WV.

Appalachian craftsmanship can be seen all over Greater Morgantown. Visual art is displayed on the walls of Black Bear Burritos and handmade crafts can be seen and bought in the shops at the Seneca Center or at Appalachian Gallery.

“There are art festivals going on throughout the state and in those festivals, you see a lot of wood turners and wood makers, a lot of men and women doing pottery, art, furniture, the whole gamut,” said Fay Steele, an Appalachian artist who specializes in two-dimensional depictions of rural, mountainous scenes.

Nell Milne created works from air, leaves, and anything she could find–specialized in crochet

Μel Sword uses clay from his property in Preston County to make beautiful, partially unglazed pottery

David Shough uses native wood to make beautiful, functional handcrafted items

In their own, unique way, every Greater Morgantown artist adds to the rich tapestry of Appalachian culture.

List of Festivals to Purchase Appalachian Art

Cheat River Festival, May 3-4, 2019

New Deal Festival Craft Market, July 2019

Mon County Fair, August 13-17, 2019

Preston County Buckwheat Festival, September 2019

Arts Walk, September 2019

WV Arts and Crafts Christmas Spectacular, November 22-24, 2019

Need a place to stay after attending these festivals? Use our booking tool below and we’ll help you find the right hotel!


Interested in attending more than one event this weekend? Stay overnight at one of the many hotels and lodgings in Morgantown. Click to reserve your stay.