Bringing the Arts to Life

In Hampshire County,

West Virginia

The Hampshire County Arts Council fosters the creation,  presentation and enjoyment of the arts in our community.

HCAC sees the arts as an integral part of daily life. An art-rich environment enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors and encourages the development, recognition and appreciation of local performers, musicians, artists, and writers.

It's easy... just one click awaySo Easy… Just one click away!!!

Message from the pres – We

Congratulations to this year’s Hampshire County Arts Council College Scholarship recipients, Jennifer Keller and Evie Groves. We wish them well as they begin their studies. HCAC is also pleased to continue the scholarship for Beck Hartmann as she enters her third year at university. These scholarships are awarded each year for students entering or continuing in college as they study a wide variety of arts.

We are celebrating our 6th semester offering the Art Club to students grades 4 through 12 beginning September 11 in the HCAC Studio 203 in the Brannon Building on the campus of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney.  

Projects this last spring included decorating masks, making sculptures from Model Magic and creating shadow box scenes for them, making canjoes (single-string banjoes from cans!) under the guidance of Jim Morris, as well as some painting and seasonal decorations.

For this semester, the Club will continue to meet once a week Wednesdays from 4:-5pm. Home-school and public school students  are invited. Dues are $10 per student per month. Discounts are available for families who have 2 or more students joining the Club. Scholarships may be requested if needed. The Arts Council gratefully thanks the Community Foundation for their grants that keep the Art Club going.

For more information and to sign up for the Art Club, email classes@HampshireArts.org or call Dale at 304-.834-8369.

 

Plein Air Retreat with Nancy Judd 

This class, Sat. Sept. 21 in the gardens at Wineberry Hill (Gardens of Marion Mich in Romney), is for those with some experience in watercolor painting wanting to learn more about composition, color mixing, and perspective, while painting an object or scene from real life.

The first session, from 10 am – noon, is for 13 -18 yr. olds, fee $20, wear old clothing, bring brushes, watercolors, paper, clean water in a liter bottle or thermos.  
Afternoon session from 1-3 pm is for adults, fee $25, bring an easel or board and chair, tape and paper, watercolors, brushes (wash, round, liner), cleaning water, rags or paper towels.  

For more information and to register – email classes@HampshireArts.org  or call Dale 304-834-8369.

Tiny Studio Concerts Coming Up

Season runs last Sunday of each month through December sponsored by The Arts Council  These programs, in the Honeybee Music Studio Room 206 of the Brannon Building on the WVSDB campus in Romney WV, will feature established local musicians in a variety of genres in an intimate setting, with a small reception following the 3:00 pm Sunday concert and a chance to speak with the artist. 

Jan Gillies grew up in the swamplands of northern Indiana, becoming an oceanographer, sailor, scientist, SCUBA diver, teacher, storyteller and songwriter.  Since first picking up a guitar at age 14 during the upheavals of the Vietnam War, she uses music to laugh, cry, scream & whisper about all twists and turns life has thrown at her. Neil Gillies has been performing on hammered dulcimer for over a decade, focusing on Old Time and traditional tunes, in addition to accompanying Jan on her more recent compositions. Together, they create a unique blend of the truly traditional and authentic country/folk music, drawing from their lives and experiences living in WV for over 40 years. https://www.jangilliesmusic.com/

VERY IMPORTANT: By reservation only, limited to 30 seats (note “Tiny” concerts). The programs are free, but a tip jar will be available for supporting the artist(s) and they will be offered the opportunity to sell their recordings.

For more info or to make a reservation, email music@HampshireArts.org or call Elizabeth Podsiadlo at 858-547-8620.

Best Production Yet!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) brought their play Pinocchio to the WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind July 8-12, 2024 . The cast of 23 was approximately half WVSDB students and half homeschool and public school students. Two MCT producer/ directors – Abby and Jillian – brought  all the costumes and sets and trained the cast in just 5 days to put on the show Saturday, the 13th. There was no cost to the children who participated or to the 150+ people who came to enjoy the performance.  Many in the audience pronounced it the best show yet, with several return participants displaying increased confidence.
This project was sponsored as a community service by the Hampshire County Arts Council with support from the Hampshire County Community Foundation, the Nora Roberts Foundation, the Koolwink Motel and a grant from the WV Dept. of Arts, Culture and History that got us started with our first production in 2022. 

For more about the Missoula Children’s Theatre go to https://mctinc.org

For questions about our production, email theatre@HampshireArts.org or call Dale at 304-834-8369.

Art in Public Places

We are always looking for new artists and celebrating our favorites. 

With the support of local businesses, you can see who is doing what at the following locations

    • FNB Romney, 105 N. High St, Romney, Nancy Judd’s Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, & Photographs exhibit to Oct. 3
    • The Bank of Romney, 95 E. Main St. Ashby Henderson’s Digital Art exhibit to Oct. 9
    • Romney Federal Credit Union, 62 W. Main St. Lori Kesner’s Mixed Media exhibit to Oct. 9

Illustrations of Ice Mountain plants by Lori Kesner


For more music, art and fun nearby, check these venues —

The Hampshire County Co-op & Heritage Marketplace in Romney WV

The River House in Capon Bridge WV

The Cat and The Fiddle in Capon Bridge WV offers classes

The Purple Fiddle in Thomas WV

The Allegany Arts Council in Cumberland Md offers a wide variety of events.

Thank You!

The Hampshire County Arts Council sincerely thanks our faithful sponsors whose contributions allow us to offer the community many events each year.

Donald Brewster
The Bank of Romney
Kristen Colebank
James & Janis Dodgins
FNB Bank
Lois Groves
Lark Hallum
Hampshire County Community Foundation

Lisa & Daniel Hileman
Barb & Rick Hillenbrand
Dottie Eddis & Lowell Hott
Dorothy Kengla
Koolwink Motel
Sydney & Edward Maurer
Susie & Gil Meyer
Nora Roberts Foundation

Ruth and Tom Rowan

Rick Schneider
Steve Settimir

Pat Slifer

Daniel Staggers
Nancy & Gene Williams
WV Dept. of Arts, Culture and History
And thank you to all who donate support of their time and more.

  Time to Renew Memberships

The Hampshire County Arts Council’s membership year runs from April 1 through March 31 each year, with membership renewal in April. On-Line Renewal is available by clicking the Join/Renewal Online Button or mail your check to Hampshire County Arts Council, P.O. Box 624, Romney, WV  26757.

Your Donations are Appreciated

The Hampshire County Arts Council values our sponsors that are dedicated to continuing the art culture in and around Hampshire County.  On-Line Donations are accepted by clicking the Donate Button or by mailing your check to Hampshire County Arts Council, P.O. Box 624, Romney, WV, 26757.Saturday, Aug. 26,20