Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia

Are you familiar with ekphrastic poetry? This term describes writing that responds to works of visual art. 🎨

Intriguing, right?! Join us for an ekphrastic poetry workshop inspired by our current exhibit, “Romare Bearden: Artist, Activist, Visionary,” and led by local poet, journalist, and activist Crystal Good!

https://secure.theclaycenter.org/13659

2024 is already packed with opportunities for art, science, and performance at the Clay Center. 🎭🎨

See what we have going on this week:

- Check out the Romare Bearden and Nichole Westfall exhibits in our Juliet Art Museum: Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 12pm–5pm.
- Join Nichole Westfall for a conversation about her exhibition “Something Pretty” on Saturday at 1pm (this event is included in the price of museum admission).
- See the Global Soundscapes interactive presentation in the Caperton Planetarium & Theater: Tuesday–Sunday at 2pm.
- Tinker Tots Storytime is a great chance for our youngest visitors to listen to a great story, dance to some fun music, and create memories with a hands-on activity: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11am.
- Catch John Cowan and the New Grass All-Stars on Saturday at 7:30pm.

https://www.theclaycenter.org/

FestivALL is offering a great opportunity for students interested in arts and production! ✨

FestivALL is right around the corner and we can't do it without our dedicated and energetic interns to help us turn a city into a work of art!

Calling all high school juniors through college students looking for volunteer hours and experience with the arts through a non-profit organization!

Deadline is April 12! More info and application here ---> https://forms.gle/HxYhdMJhg4jpyz3R7

“You should always respect what you are and your culture. Because if your art is going to mean anything, that is where it comes from.” – Romare Bearden

The Clay Center is proud to feature the work of Romare Bearden, an iconic African American artist who used his platform to depict the African American daily life in a way that challenged racial stereotypes and pushed for societal change. 🎨✊

Bearden’s work will be on display until March 10. Don’t miss it!

https://www.theclaycenter.org/museum-of-art/exhibits/

🖼️ Pictured artwork: Romare Bearden, Homage to Mary Lou (The Piano Lesson), 1984, lithograph, Courtesy of the Nanette Bearden Estate 🖼️

Have you checked out Nichole Westfall's "Something Pretty" exhibit yet? If you haven't, come to the Clay Center on Saturday, Jan. 13. for Nichole's gallery talk.

We'll learn more about her creative process and what it was like being the Clay Center's Artist in Residence!

https://www.theclaycenter.org/museum-of-art/exhibits/

📣 Calling all future Elementary Educators or STEM Professionals! 📣

If you are a student in a STEM-related field of study or Elementary Education and are eager for new experiences that will add to your personal and professional development, we have the perfect opportunity for you. The NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of WV would like to announce our Summer Internship opportunity. 🔬🔭

June 3rd - August 9th The Clay Center Summer Camp Intern will assist students ages 4-14 at various knowledge and experience levels in a variety of hands-on activities. Summer camps include topics such as chemistry, maker/DIY, art, robotics, and more. Persons working toward an Elementary Education or STEM-related degree, are self-motivated, willing to learn new skills quickly, and have experience working with children will receive priority consideration.

Learn more and apply now by emailing [email protected].

We loved hosting Nichole Westfall as our Artist in Residence, and we're excited to welcome her back next week for a gallery talk!

Join us at the Clay Center on Jan. 13 to learn more about Nichole's whimsical paintings, her creative process, and anything else you've always wanted to ask an artist!

https://www.theclaycenter.org/museum-of-art/exhibits/

When 7,000 travelers found themselves stranded in rural Canada after 9/11—the locals welcomed them with open arms.

Experience this true story live on stage. Join us Sunday, Feb. 4, for a performance of the Broadway musical, Come From Away.

Purchase your tickets here! 👇
https://secure.theclaycenter.org/9866/9867

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Noon Year's Eve! Check out these fun snapshots of our event captured by the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Photos of the New Year: From parties to parks to plunges, ringing in 2024 From parties to hikes to plunges, see how Charlestonians said goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024.

🎉 Happy 2024! 🎉

We are closed today, but excited to welcome you back to the Clay Center tomorrow!

This week:

- Check out the Romare Bearden and Nichole Westfall exhibits in our Juliet Art Museum: Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 12pm–5pm.
- See the Winter Skies presentation in the Caperton Planetarium & Theater: Tuesday–Saturday at 12pm and 4pm and Sunday at 4pm.

See you soon!

https://www.theclaycenter.org/

Happy 2024! 🥳

The Clay Center will be closed today, but we are excited to kick off the new year with you tomorrow with our regular museum hours from 10am-5pm.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Noon Year’s Eve Yesterday!

The Clay Center will be closed today so our staff can rest and spend time with their families!

Happy Holidays! ❄️

It’s time for the BIGGEST New Year’s bash for kids in town!

Larger-than-life science demo ✅
Hat making workshop ✅
Epic dance party ✅
Count in the “Noon” year and be home before bedtime! ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

See you at Noon Year’s Eve. https://www.facebook.com/events/1432622754277998

Let’s party!*

(*But be home before bedtime 🤩)

Learn more about our Noon Year's Eve celebration here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1432622754277998

New Year’s Eve is almost here! This year, make a resolution to come see the Clay Center’s Romare Bearden exhibit. 🥂🎊

An artist, author, and jazz songwriter, the late Bearden was best known for his unique collages, which he used to counter racial stereotypes.

Visit the Clay Center before March 10 to see his iconic art in person!

https://www.theclaycenter.org/museum-of-art/exhibits/

🖼️ Pictured artwork: Romare Bearden, Roots (Odyssey), 1977, screenprint, Courtesy of the Nanette Bearden Estate 🖼️

Brr! It sure is getting cold outside. Just in time for Winter Wonderlabs!

From tomorrow, Dec. 27 to Dec. 29, we’ll have snow and ice themed STEAM workshops every afternoon—free with general admission.

https://theclaycenter.org/faqs

Feeling cooped up this week?

We have plenty of family-friendly activities for you!! ✨

- Participate in Winter Wonderlabs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
- Visit our Juliet Art Museum to see the Romare Bearden and Nichole Westfall exhibits Tuesday–Saturday from 10am–5pm.
- Catch the Winter Skies presentation in the Caperton Planetarium & Theater Tuesday–Saturday at 12pm and 4pm.
- Check out the TreeHouses exhibit in the Avampato Discovery Museum Tuesday–Saturday from 10am–5pm.
- Ring in the “Noon Year” with us at Noon Year’s Eve on Saturday from 11am–2pm!

Remember we are CLOSED today, December 25, as well as December 31 and January 1.

https://www.theclaycenter.org/

We hope that you are spending a cozy day with family–wherever you may be.

We'll see you tomorrow!

Happy Holidays! ❄️🎄

Just a reminder, the Clay Center will be closed today, December 24!

Happy Holidays! ❄️

One of the most important visual artists of the 20th century, Romare Bearden’s collages often depicted the American South in a way that countered racial stereotypes.

Come to the Clay Center and see his iconic art in person.

🖼️ Pictured artwork: Romare Bearden, Black Enterprise, 1977, screenprint, Courtesy of the Nanette Bearden Estate 🖼️

Nichole Westfall’s “Something Pretty” exhibit opens tonight at 7 p.m. Admission is FREE for one night only through our Art After Dark Event. 🌙

Come see the amazing paintings Nichole spent the last month working on as the Clay Center’s Artist in Residence!

You: I wish there were something FUN to do with the kids to celebrate New Year’s Eve…

Us: How about an EPIC DANCE PARTY?!?! 🥳

Learn more about our huge Noon Year's Eve celebration 🎊
https://www.facebook.com/events/1432622754277998

Looking for something to do over winter break?

Come to one of the Clay Center’s Winter Wonderlabs! From Dec. 27 to Dec. 29, we’ll have snow and ice themed family STEAM workshops every afternoon—free with general admission.

https://theclaycenter.org/faqs

Tomorrow!!!

Nichole wraps up her residency in our Juliet Art Museum and is prepping for her gallery opening tomorrow!

We have LOVED having Nichole in our space this month.

📸: Garrett Adkins

Check this out! 👀

Trey Kennedy: Grow Up is coming to The Clay Center on March 16!

🎟 Get your tickets today! https://secure.theclaycenter.org/trey-kennedy

Nichole Westfall has been hard at work the past month and we are so excited for the opening of her exhibit, Something Pretty, this Thursday at Art After Dark! 🎨