The West Virginia Creative Network brings artists together.
written by ADDISON PARKINS
WEST VIRGINIA’S CULTURE has been sculpted by artisans since before the state gained its independence in 1863, shaped by hands using everything from plants and timber to pigments and oils to bring passions to life. Today, artists remain at the forefront of the state’s lively culture, drawing together to write the next chapter of West Virginia’s creative history.
For decades, the West Virginia Creative Network (WVCN) has supported artists and their missions by providing a space for connection and access to resources that foster creative growth. To WVCN Communications Manager Mary Roy, West Virginia artists are “people whose hands, minds, and creativity contribute directly to the cultural and economic fabric of the state,” reflecting the network’s mission of fostering generations of creators and elevating the role of art in the state.
Since its establishment in 2001, the network and its staff have worked to secure a place for state artists to pursue and expand their work. The effort began when community members recognized a need for growth in West Virginia’s creative economy. Through joint fundraising efforts, the group established the Tamarack Artisan Foundation to support artists statewide and sustain West Virginia’s artistic traditions.
Early on, the foundation introduced the Tamarack Artist Relief Program to support artists through hardships and provide professional development to build sustainable careers. In 2016, the network rebranded and became the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts, introducing new opportunities like the Emerging Artist Fellowship—later the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship—for artists interested in collaborating with other members of the network. In 2025, the fellowship supported eight artists and rebranded to the West Virginia Creative Network, also launching its Literary Arts Fellowship to support creative writers.
Shane Moats, an artist from Roane County, West Virginia, has been involved with the WVCN in recent years, allowing him to grow his work as a custom leatherworker. He describes his membership as meaningful, building his confidence and growing the following of his small business. Although Moats has not yet collaborated with other artists directly, he is reaping the benefits of being part of the community. “I have spent time exploring the work of other creatives involved,” he says. “Seeing their work and how the network has helped promote and support them has given me insight and inspiration, and I’m hopeful for future connections and collaboration opportunities.”
This year, the WVCN celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking both its success and the evolution that has shaped it through the years. For the WVCN, growth has always been focused on meeting the needs of communities and artists. “Listening to artists and communities across West Virginia continues to shape how resources, opportunities, and support systems are designed and delivered,” Roy says.
While continually remaking itself to meet artists’ needs, the WVCN has always pursued the same mission—to build a thriving arts community in West Virginia through resources, connection, and advocacy. The network and its staff believe in fostering a state where art plays a substantial role in culture, society, and economy, and the result is a vibrant creative community that connects people across West Virginia. wvcreativenetwork.org, @wvcreativenetwork on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SPRING 2026 ISSUE
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