Beautiful creations, vibrant communities, and passionate people make the culture of the state something truly special.
written by Kaitlyn Eichelberger, Adrian Kiger & Devin Lacy
photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills
As hard as we try, no one knows our West Virginia communities better than the people living in them: our dedicated WV Living readers. That’s why, each year, we ask you to nominate and vote on your favorite people, places, businesses, and more! You’ve done the work—now see the results as we proudly announce the 2024 Best of West Virginia.
ART GALLERY
GOLD
TAMARACK MARKETPLACE
Since 2020, Tamarack Marketplace has been taking the Gold for its exceptional art gallery, highlighting many local artists across a variety of themes, styles, and mediums. Its signature exhibition, “Small Packages,” has returned to round off the 2024 season by challenging artists to create small-scale works of art. Other exhibitions for the year included “Art of Illusion: A Celebration of Magic,” “Face the Music: A Tribute to Music,” and “The Life Art-quatic: Aquatic & Marine Life.” 1 Tamarack Place, Beckley, tamarackwv.com, @tamarackwv on FB
SILVER
THE BLAXXMITH ART COOP
38 Main Street, Buckhannon, infamousartcollective.com, @theblaxxmithshop on FB
BRONZE
THE RIVER HOUSE
24 Rickie Davy Lane, Capon Bridge, theriverhousewv.org, @theriverhousewv on FB
BLOOMFIELD RICHWOOD
17 East Main Street, Richwood, @bloomfieldrichwood on FB
ARTIST
GOLD
KELSON THORNE
Artist and muralist Kelson Thorne brightens up the world around him with stunning works of art. While murals typically represent a large portion of his work, you can also find acrylic and oil paintings, wood etchings, and digital creations crafted in the signature Art Junkie style. In 2024, he released the “Junk Wax” collection, a series of NBA Hoops Basketball cards from the early ‘90s junk wax era, thoughtfully painted with whimsy and color to bring new value to the mass-produced collector items. kelsonthorne.com, @artjunkie123 on FB
SILVER
MISTY WALKUP
@laurelcreekmountainart on FB
BRONZE
TIM HIBBS
@theblaxxmithshop on FB
BOOK AUTHOR
GOLD
HOMER HICKAM
A West Virginia icon, Homer Hickam can be found on bookshelves all over the state—well, his books can be! Nearly two-dozen novels bear his name, including fan-favorites such as Rocket Boys: A Memoir, Carrying Albert Home, and his latest nove, Don’t Blow Yourself Up: The Further True Adventures and Travails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky. Hickam weaves stories together with an expert touch, crafting them with a charm and earnestness that leaves them well-loved by readers. homerhickam.com, @homerhickamofficialpage on FB
SILVER
IT’S A TIE!
JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
jenniferlarmentrout.com, @jenniferlarmentrout on FB
SASHA HIBBS
@sashahibbsauthor on FB
BRONZE
VICKI JOHNSON
CHARITY/NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
GOLD
THE 1982 FOUNDATION
When Calhoun County High School closed its doors in 1998, the building—once full of life—was left abandoned. 23 years later, the CCHS class of 1982 decided to change its fate, forming The 1982 Foundation to purchase the school and give it a new life as a community center for Grantsville and the surrounding area.”It’s not okay to just let towns fade away,” the website reminds us, a call to action for communities across the state. the1982foundation.org
SILVER
WVU MEDICINE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, childrens.wvumedicine.org, @wvumedicinechildrens on FB
BRONZE
IT’S A TIE!
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
910 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, charlestonrmhc.org, @rmhcofsouthernwv on FB
FARMS WORK WONDERS
farmsworkwonders.org, @farmsworkwonders on FB
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
GOLD
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Mountaineers go first, and it’s never easier to do so than at West Virginia University. A collection of campuses in Mountaineer Country and beyond offering more than 300 programs at the Morgantown campus alone, this land- and space-grant R1 institution has been educating eager students since 1867. The university has changed and grown since its founding, serving nearly 27,000 students in 2023, with alumni in more than 130 nations. wvu.edu, @wvumountaineers on FB
SILVER
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
marshall.edu, @marshallu on FB
BRONZE
SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY
shepherd.edu, @shepherduniversity on FB
CORPORATE CITIZEN
GOLD
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
When it comes to our communities, the drive to give back and see them flourish is a strong one. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races embodies that drive, going so far as to form the Hollywood Good Neighbors Committee, a group of employees looking to help create change in the community. The donations they make are made possible by the HCCTR team as well as fundraising events like silent auctions. 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
SILVER
CITIZENS BANK OF WEST VIRGINIA
211 3rd Street, Elkins, citizenswv.com, @citizensbankofwestvirginia on FB
BRONZE
FRUITS OF LABOR
fruitsoflaborinc.com, @fruitsoflaborinc on FB
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION
GOLD
FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT
For the second year in a row, Friends of the Cheat has been voted into the top spot to honor the work it is undertaking to “restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat River watershed” since their 1994 founding. The FOC team has worked tirelessly to breathe new life into the watershed after extensive acid mine drainage and pollution took its toll. Now, they work to keep this natural resource viable and enjoyable for all of us. 1343 North Preston Highway, Kingwood, cheat.org, @friendsofthecheat on FB
SILVER
WEST VIRGINIA LAND TRUST
wvlandtrust.org, @wvlandtrust on FB
BRONZE
FRIENDS OF THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
friendsofnewriver.org, @friendsnewrivergorge on FB
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
GOLD
THE PURPLE FIDDLE
There is always something amazing brewing at Thomas’ Purple Fiddle. This intimate venue provides an easy and welcoming atmosphere, with performances every week from touring artists from all around the country. Performers vary in genre and sound, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Jammin’ on a budget? The Purple Fiddle also sprinkles some free concerts into its schedule. Grab some food or a drink from its extensive beer and wine list and make a night of it! 96 East Avenue, Thomas, purplefiddle.com, @thepurplefiddle on FB
SILVER
RUBY AMPHITHEATER
185 Garrett Street, Morgantown, rubyampwv.com, @rubyampwv on FB
BRONZE
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
FAIR/FESTIVAL/EVENT
GOLD
IT’S A TIE!
PRESTON COUNTY BUCKWHEAT FESTIVAL
A 1938 brainchild of the Kingwood Volunteer Fire Department, the Buckwheat Festival brings in tens of thousands of festivalgoers from all across the state to celebrate the staple crop beloved by many. This five-day event kicks off on the last Thursday of September each year, entertaining visitors with live music, food, parades, and much more. Come hungry and be sure to try some of the scratch-made buckwheat cakes before the week is done. Kingwood, buckwheatfestival.com, @buckwheatfestival on FB
BACK HOME FESTIVAL
If you like good music, good times, and good vibes, look no further than the Back Home Festival held each summer in downtown New Martinsville—rain or shine. For three consecutive days, you can catch live musical performances and enjoy various vendors, local restaurants, and West Virginia camaraderie. The 2024 lineup included favorites like The Davisson Brothers Band, The Wailers, Sierra Hull, and many more, all performing at the festival’s main stage or the nearby Lincoln Theater. New Martinsville, backhomefestival.com, @backhomefestival on FB
SILVER
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FARM CRAWL
cometohampshire.com/wvfarmcrawl, @hampshirefarmcrawl on FB
BRONZE
MOTHMAN FESTIVAL
Point Pleasant, mothmanfestival.com, @mothmanfestival on FB
HISTORIC TOWN
GOLD
HARPERS FERRY
Part bustling small town, part national historical park, Harpers Ferry is the perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves in West Virginia culture and history. With a history dating back to 1732, Harpers Ferry has many stories to tell and landmarks to explore. From the site of John Brown’s Raid and numerous Civil War battlefields to the deeply impactful Storer College, there is so much waiting to be discovered. harpersferrywv.us
SILVER
LEWISBURG
BRONZE
HELVETIA
MUSEUM
GOLD
HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART
With six Best Of wins under its belt, Huntington Museum of Art continues to serve the Huntington community—and has since 1952. The museum is diverse, including exhibition spaces, workshops, a tropical and subtropical plant conservatory, and a permanent art collection of more than 16,000 pieces. The possibilities for discovery are endless! Current exhibits cover botanicals, sculptures, decorative arts, and more. 2033 McCoy Road, Huntington, hmoa.org, @huntingtonmuseumofart on FB
SILVER
WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM
401 Mate Street, Matewan, wvminewars.org, @wvminewarsmuseum on FB
MOTHMAN MUSEUM
400 Main Street, Point Pleasant, mothmanmuseum.com, @mothmanmuseum on FB
BRONZE
WEST VIRGINIA STATE MUSEUM
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, wvstatemuseumed.wv.gov, @wvsmeducation on FB
PLACE TO WORK
GOLD
VANDALIA HEALTH
An outcome of the combination of local health systems such as CAMC, Mon Health, and Davis Health, Vandalia Health offers its more than 13,000 employees comprehensive benefits in addition to training and educational assistance. There are 17 hospitals, three hospital affiliates, and approximately 190 outpatient locations around the state under the Vandalia Health umbrella. A variety of settings, programs, specialties, and facilities makes it easy to find the right career path for you while serving the communities you love. vandaliahealth.org, @vandaliahealth on FB
SILVER
FARMS WORK WONDERS
Wardensville, farmsworkwonders.org, @farmsworkwonders on FB
BRONZE
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
PROFESSIONAL SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHER
GOLD
SON OF SQUATCH PHOTOGRAPHY
S.C. Shank is the man behind the lens at Son of Squatch Photography, capturing the beauty of West Virginia landscapes through stunning fine art images. From reflections of the vibrant colors of a West Virginia fall on Summersville Lake to the painted skies of sunrise over Seneca Rocks to wintery, snow- capped views from the peaks of Hawks Nest State Park, Shank captures it all with a talented eye and passion for capturing magic. sonofsquatch.com, @sonofsquatchphotography on FB
SILVER
PEGGY SMITH
“Peggy Smith Photography LLC” on FB
BRONZE
FRANK CERAVALO
vistawv.com, @vista.landscapes on FB
SMALL LOCAL NEWSPAPER
GOLD
THE INTER-MOUNTAIN
Based out of Elkins—serving Barbour, Tucker, Upshur, Randolph, and Pocahontas counties—The Inter-Mountain is a community-focused print newspaper that values “providing fair, accurate, and balanced information” to its readers with a new issue published daily. Writers and editors report on a variety of topics including sports, business, and news from the local to the international level. Subscribed readers can also access The Inter-Mountain on the go with an e-edition of the paper and other online stories found on its website. theintermountain.com, @theintermountain on FB
SILVER
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
thedaonline.com, @dailyathenaeum on FB
BRONZE
WEST VIRGINIA DAILY NEWS
wvdn.com, @wvdailynews on FB
TOWN FOR THE ARTS
GOLD
SHEPHERDSTOWN
Film, music, theater, and art galleries thrive in Shepherdstown for their second consecutive Best Of win. Find renowned festivals like the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University, numerous musical artists and live music venues, theaters and community theater groups, and artists’ galleries and studios throughout the area. The creative energy is vibrant and fluid, capturing your attention—and your heart—in all the best ways. shepherdstown.info
SILVER
MORGANTOWN
BRONZE
THOMAS
MUSICIAN/BAND
GOLD
KEY TO ADAM
Kiara Williams and Adam Moyer are the faces of the ever-popular live instrumental duo Key to Adam. The pair met at an open mic at a local coffee shop, Adam playing a tune on his guitar when Kiara picked up her violin and started playing along. Like a moment from a movie, the connection was instant. Now, they perform at wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, and other special events around the state, bringing a relaxing, personal touch to any event. keytoadam.com, @keytoadam on FB
SILVER
THE DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND
davissonbrothersband.com, @davissonbros on FB
BRONZE
CODY CLAYTON EAGLE
codyclaytoneagle.com, @codyclaytoneagle on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2024 ISSUE
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