The Morgantown Art Association Gallery at the Mountaineer Mall in Morgantown is going through some changes as their September show winds down and October’s All-Member Show is preparing to start. Members are picking up last month’s featured art and dropping off this month’s art to be judged in the annual show. This year’s show is special—at the opening reception, a section of the Gallery will be designated the Witt Gallery, honoring Byron and Susan Witt for their service to the association.
“The idea is to give people who are interested in art an outlet for creating art and for displaying art. And in doing all that, learning more about visual arts,” says current MAA President Susan Dotson.
“For years, I was interested in watercolor, and I took a few classes in different places, but they really didn’t take. When I retired, I pursued the interest. I took a class Susan Witt taught, and I enjoyed it,” says Susan. “And she was so encouraging! I’d been taking the class for six or eight months and we did an abstract in class. And she said, ‘Well, you’re going to put it in the show, aren’t you?’ And I thought, of course not. But she talked about it to me some more and I thought, well, okay.”
“I had a couple of things that I really liked that I did early on and it just sort of grew out of that. For me, now, it’s as much social as it is pursuing art because it’s a very interesting group of people and I’ve enjoyed getting to know a lot of interesting artistic people.”
Susan Witt’s impact on the MAA is felt in almost every account her watercolor students share. When PJ Bell retired in 2013, “I attended some classes with Osher Life Learning Institute. One of the first classes I took was Susan Witt’s watercolor class. I was hooked! Her positive feedback, talent, humor and passion for the subject made the classes a pleasure. Through Susan I learned about MAA and joined in 2014.”
The Morgantown Art Association was founded in 1958 as an outgrowth of an art class for older adults offered weekly by the Monongalia County public schools. Funding for the classes ran out, and the enthusiastic students established the association to allow non-professional artists a way to continue their artistic endeavors.
Members of the newly formed MAA found locations at local businesses and churches to continue art classes and to display their artwork. The MAA spent ten years in the Garlow Building on High Street in downtown Morgantown before moving to a house on Kirk Street. Later, the MAA became an “in-house member” of the newly established Morgantown Art Center, in the former main Morgantown Post Office.
However, the Association’s desire was always to have its own gallery. These desires were realized in 2004 when members such as Rose Gallagher, Susan Witt, and others worked hard to establish a gallery in the Mountaineer Mall. Members come from all over, including Pennsylvania – and Greene County!
The MAA has received grants that have allowed them to remodel their gallery and classroom to make them more attractive. An upcoming project is the front windows of the retail space. “[In the beginning,] they had tables, and it was not at all what it is now. I think we have a really lovely facility, and it’s a great place for people to come in, sit down and enjoy the art.”
Most shows held at the Gallery are members-only—another benefit of becoming a member. Each year, there are three major art exhibits held at the Gallery: The All-Member Show in October, a photography show in March, and Exhibit 60, held in April and May. They also have seven monthly non-judged, themed exhibits, including their June miniature show and their Winter Holiday Show & Sale.
The highlight of these shows is the juried and judged Exhibit 60, showcasing the best works of art from their talented members and other artists living within 60 miles. MAA has held this prestigious event every year since 1958, except for 2021, due to the pandemic. “[Exhibit 60] is a way to recognize artists throughout the region, give them a place for displaying their art and perhaps attract people to join.”
The MAA also takes part in Art at the Airport at the Morgantown Airport. Throughout the year, artists bring their art for display at the museum, culminating in their judged fall show with a special theme of “Balloons Over Morgantown”. This show is currently on display at the airport.
“We are incredibly pleased with the attention [the shows] brought to our organization and the artists. Because people from the area see the art when they’re picking up passengers or going to lunch at the airport. Some of them watch for us to say there’s been a change in the art, and they’ll go look at it. And then we’ve had people that are just passing through leave comments for us admiring the art.”
Members also can enroll in art classes and workshops that are member-only, as well as others with reduced fees for members. Upcoming workshops over the next two years with renowned instructors, weekly watercolor classes for members, and monthly interest group Kappa Tau offer lots of chances to improve your skills and learn new ones. Kappa Tau is a learning and socializing gathering of MAA members, led by an MAA member volunteer, held either at the Gallery or a location of the host’s choice.
“Kappa Tau is a time for members who don’t feel they’re experienced or talented enough to do a workshop. It gives them a chance to share something they’ve learned, a skill they have, or an interest that they have. The instructors are volunteers from the membership, and everyone’s invited to come. And usually there’s no cost for it.”
The MAA is also looking to add more variety to upcoming classes and workshops, with shorter workshops, evening classes, different media, and more. “Over the years, we have limited our offerings and our membership to adults. We think that’s the audience we want to reach, but we’d like to be able to offer classes and workshops to young adults, as well. As it is now, we’re almost all retired, but there are people out there that have talent we’d like to help them develop.”
For many members, the MAA has helped them get their art out to the public. Lisa Ryan, a member since 2021, started by taking classes with Susan Witt. The classes have given her the chance to practice and improve her painting under Susan and other renowned artists. “The MAA has helped me, as it has given me a place to display my paintings in various monthly shows. I was honored to exhibit my watercolor and oil paintings as the Featured Artist in January 2023,” says Lisa.
Hilary White became a lifetime member about five years ago. “Continuing education is crucial to growing as an artist and MAA has made that a priority. I enjoy the workshops, but I am most impressed by how welcoming and supportive the community of artists is. Everyone is generous with their time and effort.”
And for most members, it’s about more than just the ability to improve their skills. It’s about the connections they’ve made as part of the membership. Andrea Schmidt, vice president and president for MAA from 1994 to 98, shares, “We had many great moments together. The artists were warm and very talented, and we supported each other… we all became good friends and encouraged each other to keep painting. I am still teaching and keeping the art going here in Southern Pines, NC, at 80, and my positive experiences with MAA have kept me engaged with art. I now teach Art Therapy, which has proven to be successful for my students.”
Bell adds, “Giving local artists a place to learn and exhibit their work has enabled them to enrich our community. Members accepting people of all skill levels without judgment provides an atmosphere that is both creatively fertile and encouraging. Being a part of this organization has allowed me to develop my creative side. Through MAA I have made long-lasting friendships and have enjoyed meeting an assortment of interesting people, while being exposed to the fascinating world of art.”
The MAA is always accepting new members – and that includes members from Greene County. If you’re looking to improve your skills, a gallery to showcase your art, and support from other artists, you’re welcome at the MAA. .
If you are interested in joining the MAA, visit morgantownartassociation.com to fill out a membership and pay your dues online or by check. You can mail them to the Gallery (Membership Chair, Morgantown Art Association, 5000 Greenbag Road, Morgantown, WV 26501) or drop them off in person. If you join the MAA from October 1 to December 31, both your 2024 and 2025 dues are paid with the initial payment. A lifetime membership option is also available, so you’ll never need to pay dues again. The Gallery is open Monday-Fridays 11am-3pm and most Saturdays 10am-2pm.
For over sixty years, MAA has given creative individuals a place to share their love of art as well as their artwork. With the support and participation of its members, MAA will continue to thrive for years to come.