The West Virginia Commission on the Arts has announced it will open its 18th Juried Exhibition at the Dunn Building on November 24. (See related story.) The Commission members are also coming to town for their annual meeting, creating an opportunity for local artists and businesses to rise to the occasion by creating a first-ever Art Walk in downtown Martinsburg.
An Art Walk is a freestyle community event when various arts activities welcome visitors along a walkable area, often in a business district.
The public is also invited to “Discover the ARTS in MARTinsburg.” The Art Walk will take place over two days, beginning November 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and continuing on Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Events and exhibits will take place along King and Queen Streets in downtown.
“This is a great opportunity to show the eastern Panhandle community some of the creative talent we have in Berkeley County,” reports Malinda Shaver, president of the Berkeley Arts Council and coordinator of the Art Walk.
Times and locations for all events will be available on the map of the Art Walk which is available at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen, the CVB’s Visitor’s Center, and most tour locations beginningNovember 15. The map is also online at berkeleyartswv.org/artwalk.
As part of the Art Walk, special events are scheduled for Friday with music, art receptions and children’s happenings. Wonderment Puppets, the Be Hive and the Apollo Civic Theatre welcome young folks and families; the Berkeley Community Chorus will preview its December concert at the Arts Centre. The Exhibitions Gallery will hold a “meet the artists” reception.
Exhibits will also be open at the Arts Centre, the Redbrick Gallery, and more artwork will be displayed in store windows along Queen Street.
Holiday shopping will be underway along Queen Street, with favorites Flowers Unlimited, DeFluri’s, West Virginia Glass and Queen Street Gallery all open. The Berkeley Art Works is opening its Holiday Art and Craft Market for the fourth year, with many local artists participating
For more information email berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277
The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The Berkeley Arts Council is on the Web at www.berkeleyartswv.org.