Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
In addition to the First Friday festivities at the Discovery Junction last week, art and conservation enthusiasts gathered in the gallery at Rivertown for the third annual “Create the Mon” art show sponsored by West Virginians for Public Lands and West Virginia Rivers Coalition.
Mike Jones, conservation manager with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, said the organizations put out a call each year to West Virginia and Appalachian artists to participate in the show.
“We ask artists in any medium,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve had poetry. We’ve had fabric work. You see this year, we have acrylic, photography, oils and some pottery. We ask the artists how the forest inspires them and show us that with your art.”
All the pieces in the show were either inspired by or directly depict locations in the Monongahela National Forest. The show is a way to spread awareness about the conservation of the Mon Forest and the rivers, flora and fauna that call it home.
“This is about the Mon Forest and its headwaters, and how important it is to West Virginia’s economy, the local economies and the tourism economy– and protecting habitats,” Jones said.”
The opening night of the show included classical music provided by Erica Marks and her daughters, Asa and Sal, hors d’oeuvres and a People’s Favorite Award.
The art will remain on display in the second floor gallery at Rivertown until October 4.
