FOSTERING THE CREATION, PRESENTATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE ARTS IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, WV
Hampshire County Arts Council
Supporting, celebrating and connecting artists, artisans, musicians, writers and arts lovers throughout Hampshire County, West Virginia.
October at HCAC
As we and the leaves drift through autumn, there is much to celebrate and enjoy in the arts. Classes, concerts, exhibits, festivals and the changing landscape give us plenty of reasons to slow down, look around and create.
This month, join us for an oil painting class, enjoy a Tiny Studio Concert, visit our Art in Public Places exhibits — or begin creating something of your own for the 2027 HCAC Spring Fine Arts Show.
October 10: Oil Painting with Chris Madden
Paint at Rushing River Studio in Augusta
Join artist Chris Madden for a four-hour oil painting class at Rushing River Studio. Bring your favorite paints, brushes and other painting supplies. If the weather is good, participants will also have an opportunity to paint en plein air.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • 10:00 am–2:00 pm
Rushing River Studio, Augusta, WV
Fee: $35 per student
For more information and to sign up, email
classes@HampshireArts.org
or call
304-834-8369
.
October 25: Tiny Studio Concert — Jim Morris
Elizabeth Podsiadlo presents instrumentalist, vocalist and storyteller Jim Morris for an afternoon of stories and songs of Autumn. Jim will be joined by other harmonists and instrumentalists to bring a little golden glow to your Autumn experience. If you enjoy fall, this will be your pumpkin spice!
Sunday, October 25, 2026 • 3:00 pm
Studio 206, Brannon Building
WVSDB Campus, Romney
Admission: Free
Donations for the performing artists are welcome, and a free reception follows. To reserve your seat, call or text Elizabeth at
858-547-8620
or email
info@HampshireArts.org
.
Art in Public Places
Deborah Gay at FNB Bank
Deborah Gay’s exhibit of linoleum prints and oil paintings will be on display at FNB Bank in Romney through October 9.
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Gervase Willis at Hampshire County Public Library
Gervase Willis’ exhibit of scary monsters and other creepy stuff will be on display at the Hampshire County Public Library in Romney from September 28 through November 4.
Coming October 16: The Painting Ladies
An exhibit of mixed media paintings by The Painting Ladies will be on display at FNB Bank in Romney from October 16 through December 2.
November 14: Celebrate Our Local Writers!
📚
The Hampshire County Arts Council will hold a Book Fair — a mini-festival celebrating our area writers and benefiting local libraries.
Published and unpublished writers are invited to bring books to sell, reserve a table and meet readers. We will also schedule readings, workshops and more. Prose, poetry, fiction, nonfiction and plays are welcome; content should be family oriented for this event.
For the public, it is a chance to meet local authors and shop for winter reading and holiday gifts.
Artists: Start Creating for the 2027 Spring Fine Arts Show
Give Yourself a Creative Goal for the Coming Months
The 2027 HCAC Spring Fine Arts Show is coming to the Hampshire County Public Library in March. Artists — now is the time to begin thinking about what you would like to create and exhibit.
Artist Load-In: March 6, 2027
Exhibition: March 8–26, 2027
Reception: March 13, 2027
Artwork Pickup: March 27, 2027
Location: Hampshire County Public Library, West Main Street, Romney
Start creating now. Additional entry requirements, submission information and show details will be announced as they are finalized.
Create With Us
October Creative Challenge: Inktober
Looking for a reason to draw more this month? Inktober offers a daily set of prompts designed to encourage people to create consistently. Use the prompts for ink drawing — or adapt them for pencil, watercolor or another medium if you like.
November 10: Bits and Pieces of the Landscape
Landscape painting can feel intimidating because there is so much to translate onto the page. Instructor Kristen Colebank will break the landscape into common elements — including skies, grassy areas, trees, stone and brickwork — and share tips and strategies for drawing and painting them in watercolor.
Tuesday, November 10 • 10:00 am–3:00 pm
HCAC Studio 203, Brannon Building, WVSDB Campus
Cost: $40 • Please pack a lunch.
Studio Sessions
Want to create alongside other artists? We get together periodically in the studio to paint and work on projects. Sessions are often planned last-minute. To join the notification list, email Dale at
dalebw@msn.com
.
Looking Ahead
October 18: America 250 — Hampshire County Fashion Through the Ages
The Arts Council’s growing Fiber Arts Community invites needle artists to participate in Hampshire County’s America 250 celebration with WVSDB costumes and fashions through the ages. Costumers, dressmakers and others are invited to share Hampshire County fashion styles through 250 years — from Colonial to hippie.
Sunday, October 18, 2026 • WVSDB Campus, Romney
For more information or to participate, email
celebratehampshire@gmail.com
.
Save the Date: November 29 Tiny Studio Concert
The Tuesday Night Trio
Andy Agnew, Noah Cline and Ed Myers bring a mix of old-time music, folk rock, vocals, guitar, mandolin and clawhammer banjo to the Tiny Studio.
More Arts Around Hampshire County
HCAC is only one part of a wonderfully active local creative community. Explore music, art, dance, classes, books and more at these local venues.
Hampshire County Co-op & Heritage Marketplace:
First Friday jam sessions, Ukulele Club, classes and a marketplace filled with paintings, pottery, jewelry, weavings, cards, wooden utensils and other work by local artists and makers. Start your holiday shopping locally!
The River House in Capon Bridge:
Writers Club, Photography Club, Old Time Jams, workshops and concerts throughout October.
The Cat and the Fiddle:
Old Time Jams, dances, classes and more. The Capon Music & Dance Foundation’s Square Dance with the Critton Hollow Band is Saturday, October 24.
Visit The Cat and the Fiddle →
Grassy Lick Fall Festival:
Saturday, October 10 beginning at 11:00 am, with Rain Crow performing at noon.
Artisans on the Lawn:
Saturday, October 10 at Farmhouse Studio on Slanesville Pike.
Stay Connected with HCAC
Become a member, volunteer, attend a Board meeting, join a class or follow us on Facebook. Help us continue building a creative community where Hampshire County artists and arts lovers can connect.
HCAC Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm in Studio 203, Brannon Building.