Award-Winning Documentary O Pioneer Screens at Towngate Theatre March 28
Filmmaker Q&A Immediately Following
WHEELING, W.Va. – Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre will host an evening celebrating local art and storytelling on Saturday, March 28.
The event begins at 4 p.m. with a free Art Show on the theatre’s ground floor, featuring local vendors and a special display of ceramics from Oglebay. Guests are invited to browse, connect with artists, and support the region’s creative community
At 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), Towngate Theatre will present a screening of the award-winning documentary O Pioneer, followed by a live Q&A with directors Clara Lehmann and Jonathan Lacocque. Tickets are $8, with all proceeds supporting Towngate Theatre’s local initiatives and programs.
Narrated by Kaïa Kater, O Pioneer reckons with and redefines the American pioneer. The film follows three West Virginians—a blacksmith, a seamstress, and a hospital chaplain—as they creatively navigate hardship and forge paths forward. Through a blend of verité moments, archival footage, poetic vignettes, and animation, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of resilience and purpose.
Featuring Tim Hibbs, Nellie Rose Gundersen Davis, and James Morley, the film explores the lives of modern Appalachian pioneers whose courage, creativity, and compassion reflect a hopeful vision for West Virginia’s future.
The documentary has received widespread acclaim, earning Webby, Emmy, Telly, and Appalachian Studies Association awards. Film critic Tina Kakadelis describes it as “a beacon for the reality of West Virginia and the people who live there… a humble but proud call to the pioneer in all of us,” while reviewer Joe Compton notes, “This movie gives you all the reasons in the world to hope for something, to pursue a passion, to live in the moment, and to love all that you can.”
Light refreshments will be available for purchase from the Towngate Theatre kitchen.
This program is made possible with support from WVU Medicine. O Pioneer was produced by Coat of Arms with distribution support from Country Roads Angel Network.
Event Details
What: O Pioneer Film Screening + Filmmaker Q&A (Art Show begins at 4 p.m.)
When: Friday, March 28 | 7 p.m. screening (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: Towngate Theatre, Wheeling, W.Va.
Tickets: $8, available at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-7700
