MEET AARON HARVEY!

GLASS BLOWING | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“Nestled in the rolling hills of Southern West Virginia, Aaron Harvey has spent years mastering the delicate and mesmerizing art of glassblowing. Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Appalachian landscape, Aaron transforms molten glass into intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the spirit of the region—wild, untamed, and breathtakingly beautiful. Each creation, whether a shimmering vessel or an expressive sculpture, carries the mark of deep connection to the craft and the material. Aaron draws influence from the rich traditions of Appalachian Glass Workers while infusing his work with a modern sensibility, crafting pieces that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Beyond the studio, Aaron is passionate about sharing the magic of glassblowing with others. Whether through workshops, demonstrations, or collaborations with local artists. His work has been showcased in galleries throughout the region and cherished by collectors who appreciate the skill and heart poured into every piece. For Aaron Harvey, glassblowing is more than an art—it’s a dance between fire and form, a testament to patience and creativity, and a way to honor the history and resilience of Southern West Virginia.” 

MEET CARLI RATLIFF!

PAINTING | FAYETTE COUNTY

 

“I am a 2010 graduate of Concord University, where my studies focused on art and music. As a child I loved to draw. I’ve always favored drawing animals. I started working with paint during college. I now paint detailed paintings of wild animals with scenery and pet portraits by commission. I’ve worked with different medias including gouache, oil, and acrylic, but mostly work with acrylic now.” 

 

 

 

MEET CHRIS JONES!

PAINTING | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“I am a 41-year-old lifelong resident of Raleigh County, West Virginia, and a self-taught artist. My foundation began with high school art classes and has been further developed through several community workshops and years of independent practice. While I have not yet exhibited in a gallery setting, I am actively pursuing opportunities to expand my artistic reach through shows, pop-ups, and community events. Over the years, I have completed numerous commissions for individuals, families, and local businesses in my community. My work was also featured on a well-known local podcast that highlighted emerging regional artists. My goal is to further develop my career by bringing my art into formal gallery spaces and broader public forums, where I can connect with audiences beyond my immediate community.” 

 

MEET DEANNA MCMILLIAN!

STAINED GLASS | POCAHONTAS COUNTY

 

“I am a stained-glass artist – mostly self-taught through YouTube videos and trial and error. I have taken a handful of in-person classes over the years and have just returned to the art after my glass shop was in storage for nearly 10 years. I live near Snowshoe, WV and have enjoyed biking and e-biking in the area. I’ve noticed that bike repair shops have a lot of unusable parts that are heading for recycling or landfill and wondered if I could insert stained glass into them. I have popped into bike shops across the country as we’ve travelled here and there. It’s a kick to talk to the staff and be allowed to rummage through their bins to save these parts from the landfill. I work mainly with brake rotors and chain rings and have hundreds of them that I’ve collected from shops in West Virginia, Colorado and most recently Mackinac Island, Michigan!” 

 

MEET ERIC BRUMBAUGH!

PHOTOGRAPHY | RANDOLPH COUNTY

 

“As far as taking the photos, I typically pick somewhere to go based on the current, near future, and recent past weather, season, time of day, etc. I have a list of specific photos I want to get and a list of places I want to photograph during certain times of the year or under certain conditions that I sometimes consult as well, but a lot of it is just based on where I personally want to go take pictures for the day. I live in Elkins, which is very conveniently located at the center of a 2-2.5-hour max driving time radius, right in the heart of the WV highlands. I try to stay within that window, but there have been times, such as when I took a photography workshop in the New River Gorge, that a trip took me further from home. A lot of times I simply drive to wherever I want to go for the day and depending on the location, I’ll typically just park the car somewhere out of the way and hike to wherever. I don’t always look for anything specific while out unless I’ve decided to go for something from my list of specific photos I want, rather I just kind of wander around and capture whatever catches my eye. This way I’m not really forcing anything nor am I entering with any grand expectations that might not be met; it’s a lot more organic approach that seems to suit my creativity well and adds to the overall enjoyment of the process.” 

MEET HALEY COMBS!

PAINTING | JACKSON COUNTY

 

“I have worked for 20 years in corporate America but always loved art and had commissions for murals and portraits. Now that my circumstances have changed, I am able to put more time into my true love—Art. I’m a contemporary botanical and landscape artist who is based in Ripley. Working from my studio, I’m inspired by countryside landscapes that I’ve grown up loving with rivers, mountains and beautiful country roads. I love bold and gestural brushstrokes which help you, the audience, understand the feeling and the beauty of my home, West Virginia.” 

MEET HILARY CLEMENT!

PAINTING | SUMMERS COUNTY

 

“Rooted in the rolling hills of West Virginia, my work reflects the landscapes and stories that shaped me. After spending time in Greensboro, North Carolina, I’ve returned to my home state with a renewed appreciation for its quiet beauty and rugged charm. I paint primarily in acrylics, drawn to their versatility and vibrancy, and my subject matter centers on wildlife and rural Americana—especially contemporary barns that stand as symbols of resilience and heritage. As a self-taught artist, my approach is intuitive and deeply personal. I blend realism with abstract elements to evoke both the physical presence and emotional essence of my subjects. Each piece is an exploration of contrast—between tradition and modernity, nature and structure, memory and imagination. Through my art, I aim to honor the spirit of rural life while inviting viewers to see familiar scenes in unexpected ways.” 

MEET JACKIE MILLIKEN!

QUILTING | ROANE COUNTY

 

“I retired in 2009, from teaching art in WV public schools for 37 years. I had a passion for art and got hooked on quilting soon after retiring. The following fall I took a class from Judy Lilly called ‘Inspiration Journey’ and fell in love with Landscape Art quilting. From there I made hundreds of quilts. I continue taking classes averaging two-to-three a year from professional quilters. I had the pleasure of teaching a quilting class in Cedar Lakes this past spring. I love to create quilts and wall hangings using West Virginia as my themes. My passion in quilting is landscape art quilting. I use many textiles in the projects, and I am always looking for different materials trying to capture the realistic beauty of my landscapes.” 

 

MEET JOAN HORTON!

KNITTING | KANAWHA COUNTY

 

“As a child of approximately seven I learned to knit from my mother and grandmother. I continued my knitting journey throughout my teens learning new techniques and garment construction as well as an appreciation for fine yarns made from natural fibers. As an adult with a young family, I used the skills I had developed to knit for my children and family members. Knitting is an ancient art and skill that has been passed down for many, many generations. My process is the same as the men and women who have contributed to the history. Knitting involves making loops with 2 sticks that magically produce fabric. Beyond the basics the process involves finding or creating a pattern. In the case of shawls, I begin with the choice of natural fibers as well as the techniques used to make the yarn, considering for example, drape and shine. The next choice is the shape of the shawl and the stitch pattern, usually a lacy stitch. The choices involved can create one-of-a-kind accessories. Once choices are made the creation of the shawl usually takes days if not weeks to complete. Once the knitting is finished the shawls need to be dressed or stretched to maximize the clarity of the lace and the drape of the fabric.” 

 

MEET JOSEPH SARAO!

PHOTOGRAPHY | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“After recovering from cancer in 2018 I traveled the country living off grid in nature. Photography and art became a large part of my healing process. A former hunter I traded the gun for a camera so to capture the animals in their native surroundings but allowing them to live for others to enjoy. All photos were taken with a long lens to disrupt the animals as little as possible. The landscapes are a look how humans can enjoy the view with as little disruption as possible. All photography is digital as it was seen.” 

 

 

MEET JOSHUA PERRY!

CERAMICS| WAYNE COUNTY

 

“I am a disabled veteran who used his VA benefits to study art at Marshall University and am pursuing an MFA. I work with several materials, such as ceramics, wood, and metals. With these, I combine processes and materials to create small batch runs or unique pieces, often relating to my past in the military as a close combat troop during the war on terror. I use wheel throwing, sculpture, 3D printing, and mold making in my ceramics to make installation work and small-batch pottery runs. I find my love for my work in the process and often combine them and spending time with each piece. Combining porcelain and bone, wood and steel, 3D printed ceramics with mold-making to ultimately create work that is true to my heart.” 

 

MEET JUDY FAWCETT!

DRAWING | PUTNAM COUNTY

 

“I use high-quality colored pencils, chosen for their lightfast rating. This helps to ensure a long-lasting vibrance to the colors that I use for each piece of work. The current lightfast rating on my materials is stated by manufacturers to last ” well into 100 years before fading.” When I put as much time and creativity into a subject as I strive to do, it pleases me to know that the colors will last, and the materials are of the highest quality available. I mainly work on pastel mat paper or draft films. My process involves choosing a subject, and then meticulously sketching the subject onto my paper with a light pencil. I use non-copyrighted photographs, obtained from various sources, as well as personal photos for ideas of what to draw. I also like to sketch from my mind and make things up as I go on occasion. I find that I am pulled toward drawing faces and eyes for the most part. I go slow and like to do many, many layers of color, starting with light colors and advancing as I go for detail. I use a slice ceramic blade tool and various other artistic “tricks” to achieve the texture and detail that I am seeking. Each piece of my art takes anywhere from 8 to 20 hours to complete, depending on the number of fine details that it requires.” 

MEET JUSTIN LEVIN!

STAINED GLASS | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“Justin learned how to use the copper foil technique in this free time in-between work. He is self-taught and creates pieces both to hang in a window and to light up inside the home.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEET LAURA HICKS!

QUILTING | CLAY COUNTY

 

“I have enjoyed sewing and quilting for most of my life. I enjoy it greatly and have won several ribbons and take much pride in my finished pieces.” 

 

 

 

 

 

MEET LEE HENDRICKS!

FURNITURE | KANAWHA COUNTY

 

“I graduated from Scott High School, Madison WV, in 1985. I have attended WVSU for 2 years. I moved to Nashville TN in 1990 where I’ve had a 30+ year career of professionally playing bass guitar. That career continues today. I got interested in epoxy resin during the pandemic and just became obsessed with it. I started an Instagram account, 11metals, and started selling my epoxy wood items. I was fortunate enough to be selected from the Fall 2024 jury process to sell cutting boards and coasters at Tamarack. Some of my products are also in Charleston’s Capitol Market and area realtors are using my cutting boards as housewarming gifts for their clients. My products have also been featured and sold on ericchurch.com. I’m still learning every day and always look forward to going into the shop to see what I can create.” 

 

MEET LINSEY HARRIS!

CROCHET | BARBOUR COUNTY

 

“I taught myself to crochet in 2012. After abandoning the craft for 10 years, I tried crocheting again in 2022. I started my business later that year. Each item is crocheted using blanket yarn or chenille yarn. Most stitches used are single crochet or half-double crochet. Items are then filled with polyester filling. Once item is finished, acrylic yarn is used to embroider eyes and add other facial features.” 

 

 

 

 

MEET MELANIE MYHRE!

PAINTING | CABELL COUNTY

 

“I paint with acrylic paints on canvas. I create surreal and dreamlike images of nature scenes while drawing inspiration from memories of places I’ve visited, my dreams and the fairy tales of my childhood. As I paint from my imagination, dreams and memories, I purposely do not use reference photos. Instead, I prefer to enter a ‘flow state’ allowing the images in my mind to emerge onto my canvas. My work seeks to highlight the extraordinarily hidden within the ordinary, inviting the viewer into a world of wonder and possibility; encouraging reflection, dreaming, and a deeper connection with one’s inner world.” 

 

 

MEET MISTY ELDER!

DRAWING | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“Born and raised in Southern West Virginia Misty Elder is a largely self-taught artist. A voracious reader as a child she started her art career by tracing and recombining images from her coloring books to match scenes from her stories. During high school Misty took a brief painting class and spent the next several years filling the house with canvas bursting with native flora as well as a few from her grandmother’s garden before returning to her sketchbook. Though the days of tracing and running barefoot through her grandmother’s garden have past Misty is still striving to bring her imagination to life through her drawings and preserve the memories of her native home.”

 

MEET RAMONA POTICHER!

QUILTING | RALEIGH COUNTY

 

“Ramona is a professional certified nurse midwife with a passion for quilting seeking an outlet to sell her artwork. She started quilting 5 years ago and have loved it and produce between 2-4 quilts monthly. Quilting is her artistic outlet and passion.” 

 

 

 

 

MEET REIDUN OEVREBOE!

PAINTING | KANAWHA COUNTY

 

“I utilize geometrical shapes, circular patterns, and precious materials (such as gold) to evoke a sense of the invisible and sacred. Textures are created through repeated applications of ink mixed with acrylic gloss medium. The lengthy, repetitive process is meditative and for me partakes in the creation of meanings.” 

 

 

 

MEET ROBY KAUFMAN!

FURNITURE | KANAWHA COUNTY

 

“I plan to showcase my craftsmanship in the art of furniture making, specializing in custom wood tables and other furniture pieces such as coat racks, dressers, and napkin holders, as part of the Tamarack Artisan family. As a USAF veteran and software developer, I bring a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to my craft, with a passion for creating unique, functional furniture.” 

 

 

 

 

MEET ZACHARY KITCHEN!

BANJOS | KANAWHA COUNTY

 

“Raised in Virginia, I am a child of two West Virginia parents from Cabin Creek and Paint Creek and grandson of two lifelong coal miners. This past winter I moved back to Paint Creek to be closer to my family and my roots. My love of Appalachian folk music, family, culture and instrument building brought me gladly back to the place I love to call home. I began building banjos one year ago and have built about one per month while also working full time and completing a cross-country move alone. I build for friends and neighbors but mostly on commission these days. I enjoy using native Appalachian hardwoods, finding animal bones and local animal skins as much as I can to create a completely authentic Appalachian instrument. I use old sources to inform the appearance of my instruments as well as their design. I began building mountain banjos which are a style of banjo native the areas of West Virginia, Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee and parts of Northern Georgia but have since incorporated the building of tack head open back banjos as well. Building these instruments and playing old folk music from the region brings me an immense amount of joy – not only from the joy of the crafts themselves but from the fact that I get to be an active participant and steward of the survival of this culture.”