WVWS President Jeannine Romano was pleased for the organization to be exhibited at Gallery 842.

“During the past two years as president of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, I have been continually amazed and inspired by the caliber of talented artists we have in our state,” Romano said. “The motto ‘to promote and ensure a high standard of watercolor painting’ is demonstrated by many of our members, who mentor and teach watercolor painting throughout the region. It is exciting for us to bring our creative flair to the Huntington area.”

The exhibit was juried by John Farley, gallery director and adjunct art faculty member at Marshall University. A graduate of Marshall University’s Department of Art and Design, Farley’s work has been chosen for display in the Huntington Museum of Art and the West Virginia Culture Center, among others.

Farley encouraged the public to view this exhibit, noting the diversity and talent represented in the show.

“There are a wide variety of examples of various watercolor techniques – despite the fact that they are all under the umbrella of watercolor paintings,” Farley said. “Viewers will find everything from highly representational portraiture to gestural abstract paintings.”

Gallery 842 is both a community- and Marshall University-held space to promote local talent and initiative. The gallery is a free cultural experience for any artist or art enthusiast. Summer hours are as follows: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information or questions about Gallery 842, or any College of Fine Arts events, contact Jaye Ike by phone at 304-696-3296 or by e-mail at jaye.ike@marshall.edu.

Honestly, the term “multi-cultural center” doesn’t really do a great job of explaining what it is they are aiming to do. This small handful of people want to create a destination where anyone can come and discover new foods, new music, new dance, new art, and new people. A place where you can take classes to learn how to make some amazing food or learn a fun and invigorating dance while at the same time learning about the cultural significance of each. It’s more than just a classroom or dining room though – it is also a place of celebration where events will highlight various cultures and where the community can come together. This is pretty heady stuff because it means, even after they’ve raised money for a facility, they will still be volunteering their time and their energy to providing classes, to finding new and compelling information, and to reaching out to everyone in the area to make sure everyone feels welcome within their doors.

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to attend a dinner in the home of an Ethiopian family here in Huntington. During the meal I was able to enjoy some amazing food; food I otherwise never would have had the chance to taste. There were some great pancake like bread shells, called Injera, and some awesome bean and meat fillings that were accompanied with just the right amount of spice. The best part were the amazing drinks they made for us to wash it all down with it. That family invited about 20 people into their home for dinner that night and across the table I met some great people from all walks of life in Huntington. After dinner we all, even the most reserved people there, eventually got up and learned a new dance and the whole time, this incredibly diverse group smiled and laughed and made new friends. Over the course of the meal we had some great conversations and I learned about, not only Ethiopian culture, but about various programs and organizations within Huntington. When I think of the multicultural center I imagine I will get just as much out of each event they host. I will learn, I will meet new people, I will laugh, and I will undoubtedly eat some amazing and new food.

In the spirit of full disclosure I want it to be clear that I have no involvement in the planning or the work going on in making the cultural center a reality. I’ve just witnessed the team working and planning at the weekly Chat-n-Chew’s at the Frederick building lobby over the past few months. Their energy is infectious and their sincere desire to bring something really great to life in Huntington is something that can only be commended. The multicultural team is a group that isn’t focused on what could have been – they are completely dedicated to what can still be and I can’t stress enough how great it is to see that attitude in Huntington.

Of course, a team can only talk and plan for so long before they have to start the hard task of implementing their plan. This is true of the multicultural project and they are about to have their first fundraiser – a food sampling during the Marshall Artist Series “Uncorked” event on May 22 starting at 1pm. Even if you can’t afford to attend the full “Uncorked” wine tasting I encourage you to take a stroll along 4th avenue and to explore the various food vendors, and the multi-cultural cuisine, that will be available. I’ll be there snacking the part of the day away and I truly hope you will all join me.

The team doesn’t have a website yet but I’ll be sure to let you know where it is once it is up!

NOTE: this doesn’t seem to work in IE so please use firefox, chrome, safari, or opera when going to the site.

In his most recent article Duff talks specifically about Huntington and our great towns resilience;

I began to think at that moment that a story like Huntington’s could very well epitomize the true American story. The people here know what adversity is and don’t sulk in its shadow when they very well could (without being blamed one bit). No, this town knows how to dust itself off, put its blinders on, and forge ahead, learning from its history but not getting mired in it.

It’s great to see Huntington get some positive national media coverage, even if it is a non-traditional magazine and written by a non-traditional author. Rock on Duff and feel free to come back and experience the revitalization of Huntington any time.

Kiva is a micro-lending web site. Micro-lending, to those who aren’t familiar with the concept, is a way to provide financing to people who can’t get financing through traditional financial systems. For example, a farmer in Azerbaijan may need some cash to buy a cow – but the large banks there won’t make a loan out for that small of an amount of money. At the same time the farmer may not be able to afford a larger loan and thus can’t use the normal banking system. That’s where mico-finance steps in. It enables that farmer to borrow the money he needs to buy his cow at a reasonable interest rate as compared to local money-lenders (which often charge in excess of 100% interest).

We just started our team this morning so we have only made a single $25 loan so far. However, you too can join and make loans to resourceful people all over the world who are working hard to take care of themselves, their families, and their communities.

I encourage you to check out the site and see what micro-finance and Kiva are all about. If it interests you then please join our team and then make a loan. You don’t make any money from lending out the money but you’ll certainly make a difference in many small communities throughout the world.

Yes, we have our fair share of challenges facing our city. I ask you, what city doesn’t? There’s not a city or town in this country that hasn’t faced its share of misfortune. As citizens of Huntington, we have a choice to make. We can sit around and complain about our problems, or we can re-evaluate our assets and get to work. The great news is that we are focused and we are organizing. We are motivated and we are engaged and we are working diligently to find creative solutions to the particular set of problems we face. I have never been as hopeful about anything as I am about the future of Huntington right now. And I have never felt as fulfilled by something as I am by the volunteer work I do to promote and improve the city.
I have lived in many beautiful and exciting places, but I have never felt more at home than I do right here in Huntington. If you’ve never been to Huntington, I invite you to come for a visit; I guarantee you’ll find something special. And if you already live in Huntington, I challenge you to get out of your car, take a walk around the block and see your hometown with a new set of eyes. I guarantee you’ll be reminded of just how lucky you are to be a part of the Jewel City!

– Jessica Pressman

As my confidence on the bike has progressed, even if my skill hasn’t, we have been able to attempt a few more difficult trails such as those at Beech Fork State Park (just south of Huntington) and the Kanawah Trace trail (also in Barboursville) plus some of the intermediate single track runs at the aforementioned Barboursville Park. Plus, once I become both skillful and confident there are plenty of those “black diamond” trails for me to attack as well.

If Mountain Biking isn’t your thing don’t fear – all of these trails are also widely used by both hikers and backpackers looking for some backcountry adventure. I’m sure there are even more trails in the area that I’m unaware of but, as I discover them, I’ll share them with you and, who knows, maybe you’ll pass me by as I climb back into the saddle after another tricky descent. If you do feel free to say hi!

My daily routine begins with a couple laps around this park as I walk my dog and this morning the river was particularly beautiful. The barge pictured was working its way upstream at a slow but steady pace. The fog that provided a soft edge to the water seemed to flee as the barge approached leaving patches of clear water amongst the mist sheathed river.

I’ve lived in a few different cities that boast a river but I’ve never been so lucky as to live right along the shores. However, thanks to the affordable nature of real estate in Huntington I am truly lucky to be able to enjoy not only the amenities city living has to offer but I also get to enjoy a more personal relationship with the natural beauty that fills this region. It’s really an amazing experience waking up and looking out over the river every day!