WHEELING, WV – Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center hosts a closing reception from 6-8pm Saturday, August 30 for its latest exhibition—“New Appalachia 2025,” which celebrates the evolution of traditional Appalachian crafts into modern artistic expression.
The reception is free and open to the public.
This groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition features 79 works from 39 artists across nine Appalachian states. West Virginia, the only state entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, serves as the perfect venue for this comprehensive regional art showcase.
Artists from Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia are featured in the exhibition. Works include ceramics, fiber arts, furniture, metal work, printmaking and wood crafts.
“This is a passion project for me,” said Kevin Clancy, curator of exhibitions at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. As a maker specializing in paper, fiber and weaving, Clancy brings unique insight to presenting non-traditional art forms at the Wheeling cultural institution.
Traditional Appalachian Crafts Meet Contemporary Artistic Innovation
The “New Appalachia 2025” exhibition explores the intersection of traditional Appalachian craft and contemporary artistic practices, blending age-old techniques with modern materials and concepts. This approach challenges the traditional perception of Appalachian art as purely utilitarian.
“Much Appalachian art is looked at as utilitarian — furniture, quilts, ceramic pieces — but those items also can be purely artistic,” Clancy explained. “I like thinking about the craft forms as art. Some of the quilts are gorgeous and complex.”
Featured Artwork Categories
• Contemporary furniture (statement pieces beyond traditional utility)
• Fiber arts and textiles (including artistic quilts)
• Ceramics and pottery
• Metal work
• Printmaking
• Wood crafts
Exhibition Awards and Recognition Program
The “New Appalachia 2025” competition offers significant recognition for participating artists.
• Best-in-Show Award: $1,000 prize
• Category First-Place Winners: Solo exhibition and workshop opportunities in New Appalachia 2026
Kyle Houser, executive director of Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, served as the 2025 exhibition juror. An accomplished artist, educator and arts administrator, Houser previously worked as studio manager for the School of Art at Chautauqua Institution in New York. His ceramic works have been exhibited and sold since the mid-1990s.
Future Expansion: New Appalachia 2026 Festival
Building on the success of “Ceramics Takes Over Wheeling,” a city-wide ceramics festival, Clancy plans to expand New Appalachia into a multi-day festival for 2026. The September 2026 event will feature:
• Exhibitions at galleries throughout Wheeling
• Solo shows for 2025 first-place winners
• Paid workshop and demonstration opportunities
• Conference-style talks and educational programs
• Expanded best-of-show prizes
Closing Reception Details
Event: “New Appalachia 2025” Closing Reception
Date/Time: 6-8pm Saturday, August 30
Location: Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center
Address: 1330 National Road, Wheeling, WV
Admission: Free and open to the public
Stifel Fine Arts Center provides an elegant gallery space that “elevates the work” according to Clancy, who describes it as “a beautiful building.”
For more information about the “New Appalachia 2025” exhibition, visit Oglebay Institute website or contact the Stifel Fine Arts Center at 304-242-7700.
