{"id":16985,"date":"2026-01-05T22:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitfayettevillewv.com\/?p=16985"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T14:49:30","slug":"fayetteville-creates-brings-a-first-of-its-kind-artist-residency-to-fayetteville-and-the-new-river-gorge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitfayettevillewv.com\/fayetteville-creates-brings-a-first-of-its-kind-artist-residency-to-fayetteville-and-the-new-river-gorge\/","title":{"rendered":"Fayetteville Creates Brings a First-of-Its-Kind Artist Residency to Fayetteville and the New River Gorge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cWhere art, nature, and people come together to inspire and be inspired\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Fayetteville Creates is doing exactly that, and it\u2019s already making waves across our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launched this month in the heart of the New River Gorge, right here in Fayetteville, West Virginia, Fayetteville Creates is a town-wide artist residency program unlike anything else in the state. This pioneering initiative positions Fayetteville not just as a gateway to outdoor adventure, but as a growing hub for creativity, culture, and community connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artist residencies exist across the country, but Fayetteville Creates stands apart for one powerful reason: it is deeply rooted in community collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a Single Residency to a Town-Wide Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Artist residencies are not new to Fayetteville. The New River Gorge Creative Residency has been rooted here for more than a decade, driven by the vision of Amy McLaughlin and Shawn Means of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amy explained that the inspiration was both practical and heartfelt. Before the National Park designation, winter in Fayetteville was \u2014 in her words \u2014 \u201cdead as a doorknob.\u201d At the same time, Lafayette Flats, a four-story vacation rental property, often sat empty in January. With a core mission of supporting artists, Amy and Shawn chose to see opportunity rather than loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They welcomed artists into the space, giving them room to work, time to be creative, and the chance to be inspired by Fayetteville\u2019s natural beauty. Over time, it became clear that this model could grow into something bigger \u2014 something that didn\u2019t just support artists, but could also strengthen the community itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShawn and I are proud to fold the New River Gorge Creative Residency \u2014 an artist residency we launched 12 years ago at Lafayette Flats \u2014 into Fayetteville Creates,\u201d<\/em> Amy shared.
\u201cThanks to the leadership of dedicated community volunteers and the generosity of other vacation rental owners, Fayetteville Creates expands our original vision by welcoming more visiting artists while deepening the impact on the local community through free classes and workshops. This evolution utilizes Fayetteville\u2019s tourism assets during the quiet season to make creativity accessible to everyone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building Fayetteville Creates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With support from a $10,000 \u201cRipple Grant\u201d awarded by the West Virginia Creative Network, community members came together to shape the vision for Fayetteville Creates as a truly town-wide artist residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This vision took shape through a year-long planning process led by a dedicated committee of six community volunteers. From the start, it was essential that the program be just as beneficial to the local community as it is to visiting creatives and tourists. It was also important to the committee that they were not only selecting talented artists, but creatives who are community-minded and genuinely enjoy sharing their skills, stories, and creative process with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two priorities guided decisions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. All programming would be free, ensuring accessibility for everyone in the community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Local businesses would be paid for their services, from food and restaurants to musicians and gift baskets \u2014 keeping dollars circulating locally during one of the slowest months of the year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Turning Vacation Rentals into Creative Spaces<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In many small communities, short-term rentals are often viewed as a challenge. Fayetteville Creates intentionally flips that narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Through this program, vacation rentals are transformed into inspiring creative spaces during the winter. Vacation homeowners have generously donated their properties \u2014 not for profit, but to invest in Fayetteville as a place to live, not just visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Amy shared that many local vacation homeowners jumped at the opportunity because they want Fayetteville to be better for residents as well as visitors. It doesn\u2019t have to be an either-or.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This winter, seven creatives representing different artistic disciplines are staying in donated vacation rentals as they create, explore, and engage with the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Art That Lives in the Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Fayetteville Creates isn\u2019t about artists working behind closed doors. The focus is on connection \u2014 bringing art into our streets, shops, and gathering places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Each creative resident will host a free workshop, class, or demonstration, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and shared experiences. In addition, every artist is paired with a local volunteer art guide<\/em>, helping them connect more deeply with Fayetteville\u2019s people, places, and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As Amy noted,
    \u201cYou throw a stick in Fayetteville and you\u2019ll hit a guide \u2014 a raft guide or a climbing guide etc. \u2014 so why not art guides too?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Community support has poured in from all directions. Eric from the Escape-A-Torium offered team-building experiences, Sarah Goodyear invited visiting artists to monthly art meet-ups, and Meredith Gregg opened her downtown art studio to a visiting creative. The response has been overwhelming \u2014 and incredibly heartening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Casual Meet-Ups, Real Connections<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When asked what excites her most about Fayetteville Creates, Amy didn\u2019t hesitate: the weekly meet-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These gatherings are intentionally casual \u2014 no agendas, no expectations. Community members are invited to show up, bring whatever they\u2019re working on, and simply create together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The goal is connection. Relationships. Shared creativity. A space where people can get to know one another and build something lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    January proved to be the perfect month. During Fayetteville\u2019s slowest tourist season, residents can attend art events multiple times a week \u2014 from workshops to casual creative hangouts \u2014 turning winter into something vibrant and connected. \u201cThe off-season leveraging of vacation rentals to benefit both artists and the local community is sustainable tourism at its absolute finest.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Warm Welcome to Our Creative Residents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s official \u2014 our creative residents are here! We are thrilled to welcome all seven artists to Fayetteville for the inaugural winter residency program.If you see one of our creatives out and about, be sure to give them a warm Fayetteville welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Free Events & Workshops for the Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most exciting parts of Fayetteville Creates is its calendar of free public events<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Powered by Community Support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Fayetteville Creates is made possible through the support of the West Virginia Creative Network<\/strong>, the Fayette Community Foundation<\/strong>, Visit Fayetteville, WV<\/strong>, a passionate team of community volunteers, and generous vacation rental owners who believe in investing in Fayetteville. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019d like to get involved \u2014 as a community member, artist, or supporter \u2014 reach out to the Fayetteville Creates team at Fayettevillewvcreates@gmail.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fayetteville Creates Committee Members<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n