“Active participation in and enjoyment of the arts are fundamental to sustaining the quality of community life and to providing a fertile and creative environment for businesses to flourish throughout the state.”
The River House is a community-based arts and music program emphasizing active participation, affordable access, and multi-generational education.
The seasonal calendar includes live musical performances, art classes, community gatherings and open work space. In addition to group-based activities, local artists will enjoy a venue for demonstrating and selling their work.
Every offering is screened to insure we give our community a broad, high-quality experience in a safe and supportive environment. The River House is a “family friendly” venue.
Youth Arts
Our Weekly Art for All projects and outreach events encourage multigenerational participation, inviting families to create, explore, and connect through hands-on art experiences.
After-School Art Clubs give elementary and middle schoolers the opportunity to build confidence, learn creative skills, express themselves, and spend quality time with friends in a supportive, fun environment.
Creative Communities
Our Clubs bring together people of all ages and interests to connect, share skills, and explore creativity in a welcoming environment. Current offerings include:
Storytelling Circle – Practice and perform the art of oral storytelling. (First Thursdays)
Camera Club – Explore photography and visual storytelling. (Second Sundays)
Writers Club – Share and develop your writing with fellow storytellers. (Third Sundays)
Herb Club – Learn about growing, using, and celebrating herbs. (Fourth Sundays)
Veterans Guitar Workshop – Led by Jim Sneadeker, this program welcomes veterans of all abilities to learn, share, and explore their musical talents in a supportive, encouraging environment. (Seasonal, Fourth Fridays)
The River House Singers – Join our community choir and make music together. (Returning Soon)
Family Fridays
Family Fridays at The River House offer hands-on arts experiences and live entertainment that bring families together:
Artist Talks – Hear from local artists about their work, process, and inspiration.
Old Time Jam – Join us the 3rd Friday of each month for traditional music, where everyone is welcome to listen or play along.
Open Mic – Share your talents or enjoy performances on the 4th Friday of each month in a friendly, supportive setting.
These evenings are designed to spark creativity, foster connection, and celebrate the joy of making and sharing art as a family.
On Our Stage
Our indoor and outdoor stages bring live music and performances to life, featuring talented artists from West Virginia and beyond. The intimate venue makes performers and audiences feel like family.
Live Concerts – From bluegrass and folk to jazz and classical, our stages showcase local and touring artists in a warm, intimate setting.
Storytellers & Performers – Enjoy poetry, storytelling, theater, and other live performances that spark creativity and connection.
Emerging Artists – We support up-and-coming talent from our vibrant community, giving them a platform to share their work.
Our goal is to make the arts accessible to everyone while supporting performers and our dedicated staff, creating unforgettable experiences that inspire connection, creativity, and community.
Gallery & Markets
Celebrate visual arts and local craftsmanship at The River House through our gallery and market offerings:
Yearly Artisan Markets – Held four times a year, these markets welcome talented artisans from West Virginia and the surrounding tri-state area, featuring handmade goods from jewelry and pottery to textiles and more.
Rotating Art Gallery – With six exhibitions a year, we showcase incredible artistic talents, from fibers and photography to watercolor and oil paintings. Artist Chats offer a friendly coffee-table setting to meet the creators behind the work and learn about their process.
Consignment Spaces – Shop unique pieces in our gallery while supporting community makers.
Commission fees from these events go back into supporting our incredible staff, maintaining our programs, and marketing the talented artisans.
Whether you’re looking to admire, create, or purchase art, our gallery and markets offer something for everyone while strengthening the vibrant arts community that surrounds The River House.
The River House Program Has Three Main Components:
Participatory Community Art Experiences -- we encourage art and music activities that directly involve our community members. Activities and events are very affordable and in many cases, free. We offer monthly sing-a-longs; community jam sessions, open mic nights; storytelling, read-alouds, community murals/quilts and an annual art celebration.
Arts Education Program -- we provide art experiences for underserved populations in our community, particularly youth and elders. Affordable lessons provide opportunities for multi-generational teaching and learning. Traditional arts/crafts are “passed down” through skill-building classes taught by local masters. We offer art education through: after-school art classes and musical groups; home-school cooperative activities; traditional arts clubs; and master craftsman workshops.
“Education about the arts is essential to the full enjoyment of arts experiences by children and adults alike and to the complete education of the state’s citizens.”
Local Artist Support and Exposure -- we nurture local artists by providing opportunities to teach their art for a fee in workshop or lesson format. We encourage live demonstrations of their craft to visitors. Equally important is emphasis on promoting their art to both local visitors and weekend tourists through on-going art displays during open hours, seasonal Artisans’ Markets, and The River House website and publications. We offer artists the ability to make money by teaching lessons, conducting workshops, performing live and selling their art.
Why Is A Community Arts Program Important?
The River House fully endorses the following statements by the WV Commission on the Arts:
“Active participation in and enjoyment of the arts are fundamental to sustaining the quality of community life and to providing a fertile and creative environment for businesses to flourish.
Education about the arts is essential to the full enjoyment of arts experiences by children and adults alike and to the complete education of citizens. Strong local arts organizations and a vibrant community of artists are essential for the arts to flourish in our everyday lives. All West Virginians regardless of their age, abilities, cultural heritage or geographic location deserve a full range of quality arts experiences.
The arts provide an effective vehicle for community development, intergenerational activity, pride and dream building. In addition to mainstream art forms, West Virginia has a rich heritage of music, art, dance and other forms of expression that are different from those offered in other parts of the country. West Virginia is growing as a tourist destination.”