Explore The Program

👋 1:00 p.m. – Welcome Session with Jenna Green, Director of Arts

💡 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

• Teaching Artist Directory Workshop – See a demonstration of the brand new WV Teaching Artist Directory hosted by the State Arts Office and learn how to register.
  • Cynthia McComas, Individual Artist Coordinator
  • Jim Wolfe, Arts in Education Coordinator
    
    
    
• Arts Advocacy with West Virginia Arts Advocacy (WVAA) – Learn about WVAA’s recent efforts and some tips on becoming a better advocate for the Arts.
  • Margaret Mary Layne, Layne Consulting
  • Danielle McCracken, Oglebay Institute
  • Cathey Sawyer, Greenbrier Valley Theatre
  • Liz Simmons, Huntington Museum of Art
    
    
    
• Social Media Marketing – Learn about the recent trends in social media marketing, including how you can utilize AI tools on your social media platforms.
  • Angelica Gilleran, StrongRapport
    
    
    

💡 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

• Teaching Artist 101 – A panel discussion with experienced arts educators where we’ll discuss training teaching artists, working with schools, planning lessons, student and artist safety, evaluation, and more.
  • Kylie Proudfoot-Payne, ArtsBank
  • Harmony Flora, Carnegie Hall
  • Christy Clemons-Rodgers, Greenbrier County Schools
    
    
    
• An Ode to West Virginia – Participants will be led through the creation of a community poem about what West Virginia means to them.
  • Ned Dougherty, Storyteller
    
    
    
• Grant Toolbox: Introducing the WV Grant Resource Centers – Learn best practices for grant writing and how to find grant resources for organizations and individuals.
  • Brittany Chaber, Grant Coordinator
  • Tabitha Surface, Grant Coordinator
    
    
    

✍️ 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. – Plenary Session

• Breaking the Mould: The Legacy of Daniel Chapman Screening & Discussion
  End the day with a screening and discussion of Justin Litton’s new 30-minute documentary about Daniel Chapman, mould maker at Blenko Glass Company. Chapman recently completed a 46-year career as a craftsman at Blenko.
  • Justin Litton, Filmmaker
  • Daniel Chapman, Blenko Glass
    
    

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👋 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Welcome Session with Cabinet Secretary Chelsea Ruby

💡 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions

• Professionalism for Visual Artists: RFPs, MFAs, Residencies & More – Professional artists will discuss and answer questions about how they find new opportunities that make up the parts of a successful creative career.
  • Anthony Peyton Young, Moderator, Multidisciplinary Artist
  • Nichole Westfall, Muralist
  • Maryam Safajoo, Painter
  • Jessie McClanahan, Ceramics Artist

• Folk and Traditional Arts
  • Seth Young, Augusta Heritage Center
  • Emily Miller, Augusta Heritage Center

• Grants and Resources from the WV Department of Tourism (WVDT) – WVDT staff will provide information about matching funding, grants, incentives, and resources available for arts organizations throughout the state.
  • Ennis Smith, Moderator, Deputy Secretary & Chief Development Officer
  • Jill Howard, Director of Creative and Brand Strategies
  • Paige McElroy, Social Media Manager
  • Destiny Workman, Cooperative Advertising Manager

🍴11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch, Artmaking & Roundtable Discussions

• Roundtable Discussions

• Print Making Activities – Pull a letterpress print with Base Camp Printing Co.

💡 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

• WV Creative Network Support for Individual Artists – Learn about how the WV Creative Network is supporting individual artists and how you can get involved.
  • Cassidy Dickens, Creative Network Membership Manager
  • Mary Roy, Communications Manager
  • Dominica Queen, Director of Operations

• Community Songwriting Workshop – Participate in a collaborative songwriting workshop using Todd Burge’s “seed” method of inspiring creativity. No musical experience required!
  • Todd Burge, Singer-songwriter

• Grants from the WV State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) – Discover SHPO grant opportunities for eligible projects, including the restoration or rehabilitation of historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Meredith Driestadt, Acting Director and Tax Credit Coordinator
  • Randy Hill, Grants Coordinator

💡 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions

• How to Show Your Work with Galleries: Submitting, Displaying & Packing Your Work – Learn best practices for submitting your work to gallery calls, safely shipping your work, and explore interactive demonstrations from curators at Marshall University’s Visual Arts Center.
  • Courtney Chapman, Academic Lab Manager
  • Sophia Celdrán, Gallery Director

• Creative Aging Case Studies – Learn about successful creative aging projects from both new and long-time program applicants.
  • Emily Miller, Moderator, Augusta Heritage
  • Toneta Akers-Toler, WV Professional Dance Company
  • Jessie Siefert, Parkersburg Art Center
  • Virginia Killian, Artist
  • Betsy Orndoff-Sayer, Mayor, Town of Wardensville

• Mid Atlantic Arts Grant Opportunities – Learn about grant opportunities from Mid Atlantic Arts.
  • Sarah Lewitus, Program Director, Performing Arts & Accessibility

🌟 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Closing Session

• Performances of the community poems and songs created during the conference
• What to expect at Arts Day at the Legislature
• Closing performance by singer-songwriter, Todd Burge

Art Swap – Share your prints and other small works of art with attendees at our art swap

Video Art Installation – Experience an immersive video installation created by artist Tacie Jones

Free Headshots – Get a free headshot taken by the Department’s professional photographer, Steve Brightwell

Teaching Artist Roster Registry – Get answers to your questions about the new WV Teaching Artist Roster and submit your registration

Resource Table – Bring flyers, business cards, or other resources to promote your work or organization

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