On May 17, 2024, Wheeling Heritage and YNST Magazine hosted a reception at the Wheeling Artisan Center to celebrate the opening of New Traditions, a contemporary art exhibit that prompted artists to reflect on themes related to traditional life in Appalachia.
Category: Goldenseal Column
“Rediscovering Old Friends” in Retirement
Bob Smakula, owner and proprietor of Smakula Fretted Instruments in Randolph County looks forward to devoting time to his own long-awaiting projects in retirement. Over the last 50 years, Bob built his instrument repair career based on his passion for vintage stringed instruments, teaching, and playing music.
Always Keep the Memories Alive: A Memorial Day Tradition in Edwight
This article was originally published in the Winter 2022 issue of Goldenseal magazine. It is re-published today for Memorial Day in remembrance of Daniel Wilson (1942-2023). Written by Jennie Williams. Photos by Mike Keller. On Memorial Day, one might drive by a cemetery and see brightly colored flowers dotting each gravesite in remembrance of those…
A Summer at the Augusta Heritage Center
A version of this article is published in the Winter 2023 issue of Goldenseal magazine. It is written by West Virginia State Folklorist Jennie Williams and edited by Laiken Blankenship. The Augusta Heritage Center celebrated its 50th anniversary of providing enriching educational programming in the folk and traditional arts in 2023. In the summer, the Center hosts three…
“Still Inventing:” A Fiber Arts Apprenticeship between Life-Long Friends
This article is published in the Fall 2023 issue of Goldenseal Magazine. It is written by West Virginia State Folklorist Jennie Williams and edited by Laiken Blankenship. The article is based on an interview recorded by the State Folklorist with the Folklife Apprenticeship pair on March 22, 2023. Barbara Weaner and Enrica McMillon have been…
We Can Build Mountains: Aristotle Jones and Soul Music in Appalachia
“Appalachian Soul Man” Aristotle Jones is a professional musician and radio personality who is carrying on his music tradition in Osage where his grandfather and extended family have lived.
Introducing Jennie Williams, the State Folklorist of West Virginia
A version of this piece will be published in the Summer 2022 issue of Goldenseal, a print magazine produced by the WV Department of Arts, Culture and History. My name is Jennie Williams, and I’m thrilled to join the West Virginia Humanities Council and direct the West Virginia Folklife Program as the new state folklorist….
The State Folklorist’s Notebook: Ode to the Union, Former UFCW Local 347 President Sterling Ball
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal magazine. This article appears in the Summer 2021 issue.
The State Folklorist’s Notebook: “If You want to be a part of Huntington, you need to eat at Jim’s!”
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal magazine. This article appears in the Summer 2019 issue.
The State Folklorist’s Notebook: “People need to know about plants”: Herbarist Marion Harless
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal magazine. This article appears in the Spring 2019 issue. Some people speak in complete sentences. Marion Harless speaks in entire paragraphs, punctuated by laughter. The first time I went to interview her at her home in Kerens in Randolph County, she…
2018 Master Artist & Apprentice Feature: Doris Fields aka Lady D & Xavier Oglesby, Blues & Black Gospel
Doris Fields aka Lady D, of Beckley, is leading an apprenticeship in blues and black gospel, with Xavier Oglesby of Beckley.
The State Folklorist’s Notebook: A Visit with Frank & Jane George
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal Magazine. This article appears in the Spring 2018 issue, a tribute to late West Virginia old-time musician Frank George. It was a chilly afternoon in April 2016 when I made the trip to Walton for an interview with Frank and Jane…
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