Bringing together artists and the great outdoors for another year, Watoga Art in the Park is slated for Labor Day weekend in West Virginia’s oldest and largest state park, Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County. From Saturday, September 1st to Sunday, Sept 2, there will be 8 professional artists instructing 22 workshops, nature walks, an Owl Prowl, a Kid’s Corner open all weekend, live music, and a variety of foods prepared by local folks.

Watoga State Park is located near Seebert in the mountains of Pocahontas County, about 40 miles north of Lewisburg. It first opened on July 1, 1937 and covers slightly over 10,100 acres (41km). The park includes water fountains, trails, a swimming pool, a reservoir, 34 cabins; 2 campgrounds with 88 total campsites (50 with electricity), picnic shelters, an 11-acre fishing lake, hiking trails, the Ann Bailey Lookout Tower, and the Greenbrier River Trail.

On Saturday the 1st, Aurora Celtic plays from 12p-2pm and 3p-5pm. Hailing from Aurora, this group genre is Celtic, Old-Time, and Acoustic. They play traditional and original music on fiddle, whistle, tenor banjo, mandolin, cello and guitar. Follow them at Aurora-Celtic on fb.

On Sunday the 2nd, Half Step Down plays from 11a-3pm. This Marlinton band covers an exceptionally broad range of musical genres, so there’s always a little something for everyone to enjoy. They play anything from the Rolling Stones, to Tom Petty, to Dave Matthew’s Band. Follow them @halfstepdownwv on fb.

There will be a Juried Fine Art and Craft Fair which will feature some of the region’s most impressive artists and craftspeople showcasing jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and much more.  Find that perfect gift for a loved one or yourself. This event is held all weekend from 9a-6pm and is free for everyone of all ages.

You are also invited to join in one or all three Nature Walks lead by a Watoga State Park Naturalist. Learn about birds and then return to paint what you observed, make a clay dish using some of the natural materials you’ll find along your walk, or check out the hike where you learn to identify animal footprints. In the evening you can participate in an Owl Prowl and the even make owl houses to take home with you.

Along with live music, showcasing fine art for purchase, and nature walks, professional artists (listed below) will instruct workshops throughout the two-day event to help you create your own work of art. Learn pastels, watercolors, or acrylics from accomplished artists, watch and participate in wood-fire pottery or blacksmithing, make your own mask and paint or decorate it, check out white oak basketry, as well as yoga and art therapy.

Here is the schedule of events (at time of this print):

Watercolor Workshop with Kathryn Gillispie on Saturday and Sunday from 10a-12pm and 1-4pm

DIY Spider Workshop with Pocahontas Nature Club on Saturday and Sunday from 12p-2pm

Acrylics Workshop with Kristen Lecroy on Saturday and Sunday from 10a-12pm.

Blacksmith Workshop with Woody Harman, Saturday and Sunday, all day

EcoPrint Workshop with Marcia Laska on Saturday and Sunday from 11a-12pm, 1-2pm, and 3-4pm.

Wood Fired Pottery Workshop with Ken Nagakui on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm

Yoga with Mary Burruss on Saturday and Sunday from 10a-12pm

Mask Making & Collages Workshop with Sigrid Eilertson on Saturday and Sunday from 10a-12pm

Nature Clay Workshop with Kathryn Gillispie on Saturday from 1p-2:15pm and on Sunday, 3-4:14pm

Cuppa Tea with Brightside Tea House on Saturday and Sunday from 2p-4pm.

Same as last year’s check-in, participants will receive mini park maps with hike and workshop times. For more information about this event, find it on facebook and submit your artwork, visit WatogaArtinthePark.com. Enjoy the beauty Watoga has to offer during Watoga Art in the Park!

– HashtagWV #104. August 2018.