Carnegie Hall’s March/April ArtWalk exhibits opened with three galleries showcasing the works of local Greenbrier County students and two regional artists. The Lobby Gallery (located in the Hamilton Auditorium) features “ADHD vs. AARP” by mosaic glass artist Peggy Owens.
Peggy Owens was sure that her “calling” was to be a teacher. For 37 years, she taught elementary school and was the “Magic School Bus” kind of teacher. She returned home to West Virginia in 2018 and became a middle school art teacher—a surprise to everyone, but mostly to herself!
Once she started teaching art, she was completely taken by the bright colors of the Fauvist Movement and fell head over heels in love with abstract art. Living in Pocahontas County, she felt that no artist could improve upon nature’s beauty, so painting landscapes was out. But abstract pieces allow each viewer to find their own meaning. Kandinsky’s geometric work seemed magical, Van Gogh’s work was breathtaking, and Picasso saw things in ways no one had before.
Peggy creates acrylic abstract paintings, glass mosaics, fused glass, jewelry, and photography. A friend once labeled her as “Where ADHD meets AARP” because as soon as something catches her attention, she tries it. Her interests beyond art are just as varied! From storytelling to roller derby, bluegrass to bagpipes, she embraces creativity and adventure. But the 10-year-old kid inside of her still loves experimenting—throwing varied glass into the kiln just to see if it will blow up. That’s why she calls herself “The Accidental Artist.”
Peggy’s work has been displayed at the Cultural Center in Charleston, WV, in a Pittsburgh Art Exhibition, and across West Virginia, Virginia, and Indiana. It’s hard to tell where you might find her next, but if there’s a messy, bright miasma of colors, she’s likely nearby.
The exhibits are free and open to the public, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., running through the end of April. For more information, visit carnegiehallwv.org, call 304-645-7917, or stop by the Hall at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg.
