01/31/2026
Here’s something you may not know: Before Fayetteville WV Creates was called Fayetteville Creates, we simply called it Ripple, the name of the West Virginia Creative Network’s statewide program from which this idea first grew.
Ripple was created to fund art projects in West Virginia towns that would send creativity outward, touching a community in ways both big and small. What we didn’t realize at the time was just how far those ripples would travel here in Fayetteville.
Once the idea of a town-wide creative residency took shape, and a small but mighty group of local volunteers gathered around it, the momentum felt almost magical. The ripples kept widening.
With the generosity of local vacation rental owners, we welcomed seven creatives into our town. In return, they offered seven thoughtful, fascinating workshops, all free and open to everyone in the community.
We met weekly at our favorite local spots, shared conversations over drinks and coffee, and celebrated with a joyful pizza party at the end. But the true heart of Fayetteville Creates lived in all the moments in between.
The quiet kindnesses between friends old and new, the spontaneous gatherings, the shared meals, the unexpected collaborations like these:
🥾 Andrea St. Amand took the creatives exploring through the Gorge.
🧩 Eric Pories of Escape-A-Torium gifted them an adventure to bond and laugh together.
🍝 Mary Ann Roberts opened her home and her kitchen, serving a homemade lasagna.
🎨 Meredith Gregg welcomed Melia, a visiting painter, into her studio.
💙 Carl, our local stained glass guru, guided each creative in making their own suncatcher.
🎶 Many of our great local musicians like Ryan Brandenburg, Dina Hornbaker, Brian Dennis, Duncan Mapes and Zac Shelton jammed at Fayetteville Creates events.
🖼️ Sarah Goodyear hosted weekly meetups in her studio, giving everyone a place to gather.
🧵 Local businesses like Lost Appalachia and Southside became impromptu stages for book signings, live music, and art demos, including the evening Amy Pabst brought her sewing machine into the pub and quilted among friends.
So much work went into Fayetteville Creates. But what we’ll remember most is the feeling, the happiness that seemed to hum through town for those weeks.
We’re incredibly honored to have been part of it, and sad to see January come to an end. ❤️ We hope you all had as much fun as we did.
