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⭐ Create Your State Convening 2025 ⭐October 24–26 | Princeton, WV | Grassroots District
Join fellow creatives, visionaries, and community changemakers from across West Virginia for a one-of-a-kind weekend in the living creative laboratory of Princeton’s Grassroots District.
Over three days, the streets, studios, and stages of the District will come alive with peer-to-peer learning exchanges, public art walks, dynamic workshops, live music, interactive art, and immersive experiences. You’ll gain tools, inspiration, and connections while experiencing firsthand how the arts can transform a community.
✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩?
This isn’t just a conference; it’s a creative adventure. You’ll:
*Learn real tools and case studies from folks making arts-driven change.
*Share your story, swap ideas, and build relationships with fellow creators.
*Step into public art talks and walks, explore theater, music, media, and visual art as community-building tools.
*Discover how to make public art happen, from vision to execution.
*Leave with fresh momentum, peer support, and creative energy to bring home.
🔦 Featured Presenters (in addition to the CYS founders)
We’re bringing together artists, doers, and dreamers from across the state:
Jeff Pierson – Office of Public Art, City of Charleston
Kabrea James – Inner Sunshine Arts
Jim Padjarillo – The HeART of WV
Robby Parsons – Back Home Festival, New Martinsville
Patch Whisky – Nationally renowned street artist & Princeton native
Melissa McKinney – Stages Music School & The One Voice Project, LEAF Global Arts
Greg Puckett – Community Connections, Mercer County Commissioner
Amanda Workman – Director of Community Engagement, WV Community Development Hub
Hannah Mitchell – Love Hope Center for the Arts
Cecil Ybanyez – Bloomfield Richwood
Jose Rizo – Co-Creators of BEX & Born & Bred
Jason Young
Lauren Kemp & Denise Poole – Leaders of RenewALL in Central City, Huntington
Beach Vickers – Shakespeare Studio of Montgomery
Dan Henthorn – Griffin Players
Vicki Queen – Gary Bowling’s House of Art
Robbie Moore – Creative Network (formerly Tamarack Foundation for the Arts)
✨ Plus dozens of featured local artists bringing the Grassroots District to life.
📅 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Friday, Oct 24: Creative Mixer & Welcome Reception → Opening Plenary → Evening out in the District with live music, immersive art & venue tours. (5PM - 10PM)
Saturday, Oct 25: A full day (9 AM–10 PM) of sessions, workshops, peer learning, art walks & creative labs, with time to rest, explore, and connect.
Sunday, Oct 26: Closing sessions, reflections, creative sharing & joyful send-off. (10AM - 4PM)
👉 Full schedule: createyourstate.org/2025-convening
💛 Registration
Sliding Scale: $50–$250
Contribute more if you can—it keeps the convening accessible.
Finances tight? No problem. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞—𝐧𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝.
👉 Register now at createyourstate.org/2025-convening
🛏️ Lodging & Travel
Block hotel rates, unique stays, and partner discounts are now posted online.
This is more than a gathering—it’s a movement. Come see what’s possible when imagination leads and community follows.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Mercer Street Grassroots District, 849 Mercer St, Princeton, WV 24740-2907, United States
Tickets
