For the Hope of It All: Mixed Media Works by Kevin Allison
2026-09-05 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | West Edge Factory, 1040 Vernon St, Huntington, WV, 25704, United States
ReCreate Appalachia presents an incredible Recovery Month exhibition featuring mixed media works by Kevin Allison.

“For the Hope of It All” opens in the Turret Gallery of West Edge Factory during our September First Saturday Art Market. Come check out the exhibition, then enjoy the food, music, and art vendors at the market!
Kevin will be on site from 2-4 pm for a meet and greet!

Artist Statement by Kevin Allison:
I was born and raised in the Chemical Valley of West Virginia. My father was manufacturing Agent Orange at the Monsanto plant in Nitro when I came along, and I attended a high school with walls that sealed airtight in case of a chemical leak. Nitro and the surrounding areas are known as the “Chemical Valley” for its massive production of explosives, chemicals, and propellants. This was my childhood playground. It may be that my views on nature and life in general are vaguely skewed by this environmentally exciting upbringing. At the very least, I still have a continuing love affair with the color orange.

I’m a lifelong West Virginia resident, and a Marshall University School of Fine Arts graduate, with a focus in studio painting. In my brand of storytelling, I combine multiple techniques to explore our culture. I use unconventional materials such as encaustic paint, cold wax and found objects in my collages. In the fashion of our forebears (and other fauna), I cobble together a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Sometimes a lot more of that.

My assemblages explore the complexities of our Appalachian lives, one layer at a time. I like to think I’m creating unique monuments to life in our wild and wonderful state.

I’ve always had a sensibility for seeing beauty in decay. I’m surrounded by hollers, relics, and ghost towns. There’s discarded treasures all over the hard ground. I choose to utilize those discarded bits because I feel there’s a spirituality and a constant truth present in the things we choose to leave behind. I have found great inspiration in forgotten spaces.
During my years of homelessness and active addiction, I kept a journal and sketchbook. In 2023, my recovery began, and I utilized those items as inspiration for a new series of work.

“For the Hope of it All” is a visual representation of my journey through homelessness and addiction.

September First Saturday Art Market
2026-09-05 11:00 - 16:00
Join us at West Edge Factory for the September First Saturday Art Market, happening Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

This market will feature Appalachian vendors, including craftspeople, makers, and artists of all kinds, all sharing unique handmade goods.

Enjoy live music throughout from buskers, free hands-on art activities for all ages, food trucks, and an amazing new exhibit in the Turret Gallery by Kevin Allison titled “For the Hope of it All”: https://www.facebook.com/share/14ct7erSxSb/
Artists who are interested in vending at this event can fill out the vendor form here by August 23: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ka1XvwLxgw

We’re looking forward to gathering together, celebrating Appalachian creativity, and spending the day with you!
Doors will re-open at 6 pm for a special First Saturday Concert: https://www.facebook.com/share/18t72mPdnP/

September First Friday Songwriters Night: Rick Huckaby, Gary Harrison, and Michael White
2026-09-05 16:15 - 20:45
Presented as part of ReCreate Appalachia’s First Saturday Concert Series at West Edge Factory:
Join us for a special Songwriters Night featuring two incredible Nashville songwriters: Rick Huckaby & Gary Harrison.
Between them, they’ve written songs recorded by artists like Blake Shelton, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Thomas Rhett, Trace Adkins, Shania Twain, Brooks & Dunn, Conway Twitty, Luke Bryan, Tracy Lawrence, Craig Morgan, Billy Currington, Charlie Pride, and many more. Their work includes multiple No. 1 songs and decades of songwriting that have helped shape country music.
This is a rare opportunity to hear them perform together in an intimate setting right here in Huntington. Whether you’re a longtime country music fan or just love great live music, you’ll hear songs from some of Nashville’s most respected writers, performed by the people who wrote them.
Saturday, September 5, 2026
West Edge Factory
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Music starts at 7:30 PM

Purchase Tickets Here
Bring some friends, grab a drink, and enjoy an evening with three of Nashville’s finest songwriters.

Haunted Holler: A Spooky Appalachian Art Show
2026-10-03 11:00 - 16:00
ReCreate Appalachia invites you to experience Haunted Holler: A Spooky Appalachian Art Show, opening in the Turret Gallery at West Edge Factory during our October First Saturday Art Market.

Browse a juried exhibition featuring artists’ interpretations of the strange, spooky, and supernatural through an Appalachian lens. From folklore and cryptids to ghosts, personal mythology, and the uncanny, Haunted Holler celebrates the many ways artists explore what lingers in our landscapes, memories, and imaginations.

While you’re here, make a day of it! Shop dozens of regional art vendors at the First Saturday Art Market in the adjacent venue space, enjoy hands-on art activities, listen to live music, and grab something to eat. Light refreshments will be served in the gallery, and many of the exhibiting artists will be on-site throughout the day to talk about their work and meet visitors.

Interested in exhibiting? Artists are invited to submit up to three artworks for consideration at no cost. The exhibition is open to a wide range of interpretations of the theme and welcomes work in all media.

Get details and submit your work here by September 18:https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/CmgeFe7hJp

October First Saturday Art Market
2026-10-03 11:00 - 16:00
Join us for October First Saturday at West Edge Factory!
Browse Appalachian vendors, including artists, makers, craftspeople, and small businesses offering unique handmade goods and locally made products.

Enjoy live music from buskers throughout the market, free hands-on art activities for all ages, food trucks, and a brand-new exhibit in the Turret Gallery, Haunted Holler: A Spooky Appalachian Art Show, featuring eerie and enchanting artwork inspired by Appalachian folklore, ghost stories, and all things spooky.
Here is a link to the October exhibit where you can find details and a link to apply to have your work in the show: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DJPizDcZY/

This month, we’re also excited to welcome Mindful Grooves, a free community dance experience led by Nichole Webb. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just looking to move and have fun, everyone is welcome. Times will be announced soon so stay tuned for details.

October’s market day will also feature our first-ever Cryptid Pickleball Tournament, where players will take the courts dressed as their favorite Appalachian cryptids. Huntington’s own Hoot & Holler community marching band will be there to cheer on the players and bring plenty of energy to the event. More details and registration information for the tournament will be announced soon.

Artists interested in vending at this event can fill out the vendor application here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/z1AspMVfhM

We can’t wait to spend another First Saturday celebrating Appalachian creativity, community, and a little spooky season fun with you

Doors will reopen at 6:00 PM for a special First Saturday Concert featuring Chocolate 4-Wheeler with special guests Buffalo Elementary Garage Band! Get details and tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/…/first-saturday-concert…

October First Saturday Concert: Chocolate 4-Wheeler
2026-10-03 16:15 - 20:15
Join us on Saturday, October 3 for another night of live music at West Edge Factory as part of ReCreate Appalachia’s First Saturday Concert Series.
This month we’re welcoming Huntington’s own Chocolate 4-Wheeler, who describe themselves as “a psychotronic horror show.” If you haven’t seen them before, expect a loud, weird, high-energy show that’s the perfect fit for spooky season.
Opening the night is the Buffalo Elementary Garage Band, a group of young musicians who have been putting in the work and are ready to kick off the evening with a great set.
Make a day of it! Spend the afternoon at our October First Saturday Market from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM featuring Appalachian artists, makers, food trucks, buskers, free art activities, the Haunted Holler exhibition in the Turret Gallery, and more. Then come back that evening for the concert.
Link to the First Saturday Market: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NTHox6qUn/

Doors: 6:00 PMBuffalo Elementary Garage Band: 7:00 PMChocolate 4-Wheeler: 8:00 PM
Purchase Tickets Here
