New Traditions

Sequestered by mountains older than life itself and a culture marked by close-knit, deep-seated tradition, Appalachia makes for the perfect muse for this gallery show.

“New Traditions” celebrates the region’s diverse culture and historic arts and craft practices by viewing them with a contemporary lens. Whether it be utilizing traditional techniques with new materials, incorporating or reimagining Appalachian craft, or simply using modern methods to tell the story of the past — this show highlights the connectivity and fusion of the region’s then and now.

YNST Magazine and Wheeling Heritage invite you to the opening reception of New Traditions on Friday, May 17 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center Gallery (1400 Main Street, Wheeling). Admission is free. New Traditions will remain on display through Saturday, June 14.

Presented by

Call for Artists

Wheeling Heritage and YNST Magazine invite artists of all levels of experience and mediums to submit their work. Submissions should fall into one or both categories:

Traditional Appalachian arts and craft techniques such as pottery, quilting, basketry, weaving, glass blowing, carving, blacksmithing, etc. created with a contemporary lens.
Pieces inspired by the history and legacy of Appalachian culture, folklore, or heritage with a contemporary lens.

Artists may submit up to three pieces, which should include high-resolution images, title, dimensions, medium, price (if applicable), and a short description. Submissions will be accepted through Thursday, April 25.

Apply Here

Important Dates

April 25 – Deadline for submissions
May 3 – Final notification of accepted entries
May 13 – Deadline for delivery of accepted artwork
May 17 – Exhibit opening
June 14 – Exhibit closes
June 18 – Any unsold artwork available for pickup
June 24 – Pickup and return shipping of artwork to be completed by this date

Policies and Guidelines

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Framing Requirements
We are committed to presenting your art in a clean, professional manner. Adherence to the following guidelines will ensure that your artwork is showcased to its full potential and is compatible with our gallery hardware:

No clip frames, taped frames, or sawtooth hangers.

Artwork must be securely and suitably framed with screw eyes or D-Rings firmly attached to the frame itself, not to the backing.

Gallery-wrapped canvases can be submitted unframed, but edges must be finished with no visible staples, tacks, or tape.

We recommend wall-mounted work to be matted, but it is not required.

The back of each piece should be clearly labeled with your name and the title of the piece.

To help alleviate the cost of shipping and framing all accepted entries may submit matted pieces sized to 11×14, 16×20 or 20×24 and the gallery will install them in gallery frames for a $15 fee.
Shipping

Artists who cannot deliver their work in-person may ship their pieces to the gallery. Artist will be responsible for shipping charges to and from the gallery. A return prepaid shipping label should be provided along with the artwork being shipped. All accepted works must be shipped in sturdy, reusable packaging. We will retain any packaging used to ship your work to us and use it for the return of any unsold works to you. Please pack carefully, as we cannot be responsible for any damages.

To make shipping arrangements, contact Alex Panas, program manager, at apanas@wheelingheritage.org.
Additional Information

High School Writing Competition

High school students from Ohio County are invited to participate in the New Traditions writing competition. To participate, students must complete the following:

Attend the opening reception of New Traditions on May 17.
Write a review of the show. This review should be between 500-1000 words minimum and include commentary on the theme of the exhibit, details about at least one piece of art in the exhibit, and the overall experience of the opening reception.
Submit reviews via email to weelunk@weelunk.com by Friday, May 24. Submissions should be submitted as a Word or Google Doc with at 2-3 photos taken at the opening reception. Submissions should include the student’s name, grade, high school, and a 2-3 sentence byline.

All submissions will be reviewed by representatives from Wheeling Heritage and YNST and scored based on creativity, proper use of language, clarity and structure, adherence to guidelines, and overall impact. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 29.

The student who achieves the first-place submission will have their review published in an upcoming issue of YNST Magazine and receive a $100 stipend. The top 5 submissions will have their work featured on Weelunk.com and receive a $50 stipend.

For questions about the New Traditions writing competition, contact Alex Panas at apanas@wheelingheritage.org.

About YNST Magazine

YNST (You’re Not Seeing Things) Magazine is a grassroots, West Virginia-based media company dedicated to amplifying the unseen and often unsung creative voices of Appalachia’s arts & culture. YNST works online, in print and in person to paint the region with a deserved contemporary and colorful lens by capturing the region’s vital storytellers, unique designers, impactful photographers, dynamic artists and underrepresented perspectives.