Wheeling is known for its rich industrial history as a blue-collar Ohio River town, but it also boasts a vibrant arts scene. Whether you’re browsing the galleries in Centre Market, catching a play at Towngate, or checking out live music at one of the city’s numerous venues, you won’t find Wheeling lacking in its artistic offerings.
Welcome to the Wheeling Art Roundup – your guide to the art and music events happening each month in the Friendly City. As we continue this monthly series, please feel free to send your upcoming monthly events to Weelunk writer Tucker Riggleman (tucker.riggleman@gmail.com) by the last week of the current month (i.e. send September events by the last week of August).
So, what’s happening this month? August offers plenty of diverse art and music events around town, including live music from local favorites like the New Age Adenas, an Aurand Harris play about orphans and trains, an opportunity to make your own sauerkraut, pickles and more (hey, food is also art!), and an opportunity to hear songs, poetry, spoken-word and more from a diverse group of Appalachian women.
We hope this list of events will help you get out and try some new experiences and make some new memories, right here in Wheeling!
August Art and Music Events in Wheeling
8/1-8/14 – Unladylike: A celebration of female-identifying and non-binary femme artists – Clientele Art Studio – 43 15th St.
8/12 – Beginner Stained Glass Workshop (6 – 9 p.m.) – The Mother Jones Center for Community Resiliency – 88 14th St.
8/12 – 10 Penny (Rock) (8 p.m.) – Silver Rail Bar & Grill – 222 29th St.
8/12 – Tie-Dye Time! (1 – 1:30 p.m.) – Oglebay – 465 Lodge Dr.
8/13 – Karaoke Night (8 p.m. – 12 a.m.) – Clientele Art Studio – 43 15th St.
8/19 – Lunchtime Live! Concert Series w/ Jason Treuman (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) – The Plaza on Market – 1053 Market St.
8/19 – Third Fridays w/ WVU Jazz Ensemble 1 (7 p.m.) – The Plaza on Market – 1053 Market St.
“The next Third Friday event will fall on August 19. It will be our second of three events held by the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission at the Plaza on Market this year. These events are absolutely FREE to the public and will include local arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and of course music.
This next event will feature the WVU Jazz ensemble #1. This group of students are the top in their field at WVU and the band includes some local Graduates from the local area as well.
Our intention with Third Fridays is to provide the Community with a culturally enriching experience that involves local vendors, food, and music that deviates from the mainstream. All while shining a light on a beautiful location that has not seen much use since its conception. Dean Conners has been absolutely instrumental in reshaping the Plaza on Market and is still continuing to do so through his beautification of the plaza.
We invite all who love the arts and this beautiful city to join us on this journey. As all things do, it will take a while to build, but we have a great group of people whose agenda is to better the lives of the people of this fine city through arts and culture.” – Jon Banco, Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission
8/19 – Oglebay Institute Board Benefit (6:30 – 9:30 p.m.) – Oglebay – 465 Lodge Dr.
8/20 – Saturday on Wax: A Soul, Funk and Hip-Hop dance party (8 p.m. – 1 a.m.) – Clientele Art Studio – 43 15th St.
8/26 – New Age Adenas (Folk/Classic Rock) (8 p.m.) – Silver Rail Bar & Grill – 222 29th St.
8/27 – VCR: art that pays homage to our childhood memories of video rentals, VHS tapes, and old-school video games (Art Opening – click here to submit) – Clientele Art Studio – 43 15th St.
If you’re an artist who loves to capture the nostalgia of 80’s/90’s media in your work, this one is for you.
VCR pays homage to our childhood memories of video rentals, VHS tapes, and old school video games. This August, Clientele Art Studio is looking for artists to create artwork that embodies the energy and vibe that came from walking into a Blockbuster, Stone Church Video, or whatever rental place you remember.
Those nostalgic emotions are what VCR plans to highlight. Most types of media are acceptable, as are most concepts as long as it connects to the show’s vision.
This exhibit will open on Saturday, August 27. Apply HERE.
8/27 – Food Preservation Workshop (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – Oglebay – 465 Lodge Dr.
8/27 – Women of Appalachia Project’s 13th Annual “Women Speak” (1 – 3 p.m.) – Towngate Theatre – 2118 Market St.
This event is a presentation of readings published in WOAP’s anthology “Women Speak, Volume Seven,” a lavish mix of female voices— northern, central, southern, Affrilachian, LQBTQ, Asian-Appalachian, those differently-abled, emerging and well established – everyone stepping up to speak the truths of Appalachia.
Poetry, story, song, essay, each a tribute to Appalachian honor, endurance, courage, love of family, community, and the land, providing evidence of how even against the odds Appalachians continue to thrive and stand strong in their convictions, working together to build awareness and overcome marginalization and stereotype.
“Women Speak, Volume Seven” will be available for sale during the event or can be purchased online at www.sheilanagigblog.com.
8/28 – Vendor Market + Midge’s Kitchen Brunch (12 – 2 p.m.) – Clientele Art Studio – 43 15th St.
Are you planning an art event in Wheeling? Send your event information to Tucker Riggleman to be included in next month’s Weelunk Art Roundup.
• Tucker Riggleman is a writer and musician currently living in Wheeling. When he’s not working his day job as the Digital Media Coordinator for Youth Services System, you might find him trout fishing or performing with his rock band Tucker Riggleman & The Cheap Dates. He is also a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, a published poet, and an AmeriCorps alum.
