You Can’t Get the Sound from a Story in a Magazine
The first thing you notice when watching Spencer Elliott play the guitar is the peculiar positioning of his hands. Traditionally, a...
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A Clearer Look at our local artists
Written by Brittany McComas
- Mar 30, 2022
Tertian Harmony Meets Appalachia: Bad Keys Of The Mountain
The Bad Keys of the Mountain blend their rock, blues and alternative music influences to create a unique soul-filled sound. That passion...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Mar 1, 2022
Minor Swing. Major Talent.
I am not a music critic or a musician. I have been very blessed from an early age to witness up close and in person a lot of world class...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Feb 15, 2022
Colleen Anderson: A collage of talent
Two of my three favorite songs about West Virginia were written and performed by Colleen Anderson. They are “West Virginia Chose Me,”...
Written by Brittany McComas
- Feb 1, 2022
Blake Wheeler: The Artist Who Captures Everything Wild and Wonderful WV
Blake Wheeler, the artist, paints these magical worlds filled with wonder. You’ve probably seen Blake’s art more than a few times if you...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Jan 18, 2022
Eric Douglas: Writer / Photographer /Diver
I first learned about Eric Douglas when he did some oral history work for FestivALL and I was producing the art fairs. Then I saw his...
Written by Brittany McComas
- Jan 4, 2022
Appalachian Powerhouse and Jack Of All Trades: Katie Ann Barker
They say aura’s are a reflection of your state of being. My best definition is “the energy someone gives off.” If you’ve never had the...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Nov 18, 2021
Dan Kehde: The Shakespeare of Charleston
After talking and meeting with Dan Kehde and visiting his theater, I can best describe him as the Shakespeare of Charleston. His long...
Written by Brittany McComas
- Oct 12, 2021
Leah Turley: Dramatic Determination, Appalachian Style
When you think of theatre, you might think of Broadway. But, when Leah Turley thinks of theatre, she sees Appalachian beliefs and...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Sep 29, 2021
Michael Teel: Moving forward through the past
I am fascinated by the range of Michael Teel’s paintings, as demonstrated on his website, michaelteel.com, and other views. The images I...
Written by Brittany McComas
- Sep 15, 2021
Big River In Little Charleston
Tucked in the heart of the Downtown Charleston Historic District, you can find two of the most hilarious, creative, and lovely human...
Written by Anna Dickson James
- Sep 1, 2021
Loren Allen’s (Not So Secret) Creative Identity
Loren Cade Allen has one of those large personalities that elevates the energy in any room, the kind of guy you want on your team at...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Aug 17, 2021
A Visionary for Black Theater in CharlestoN
I was intrigued and excited to discover that we have a missionary for Black theater in our midst here in the Kanawha Valley. Stuart...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Aug 3, 2021
Lynn Clarke: Living the Creative Life
When I emailed the novelist Lynn Clarke to set up an interview, I alerted her that I read more newspapers than books. Even when I read...
Written by Anna Dickson James
- Jul 21, 2021
Chris Dutch’s Grand Designs
If Chris Dutch hadn’t been standing outside his studio, waving me down, I might have easily missed the unassuming two-story building,...
Written by Betty Rivard
- Jun 29, 2021
Matt Jackfert: A Composer for All Seasons
Matt Jackfert is an icon to me. I am in awe of his being a composer of world class music while living here amongst us in Charleston. ...
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