“Where art, nature, and people come together to inspire and be inspired” — Fayetteville Creates is doing exactly that, and it’s already making waves across our community.
Launched this month in the heart of the New River Gorge, right here in Fayetteville, West Virginia, Fayetteville Creates is a town-wide artist residency program unlike anything else in the state. This pioneering initiative positions Fayetteville not just as a gateway to outdoor adventure, but as a growing hub for creativity, culture, and community connection.
Artist residencies exist across the country, but Fayetteville Creates stands apart for one powerful reason: it is deeply rooted in community collaboration.
From a Single Residency to a Town-Wide Vision
Artist residencies are not new to Fayetteville. The New River Gorge Creative Residency has been rooted here for more than a decade, driven by the vision of Amy McLaughlin and Shawn Means of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals.
Amy explained that the inspiration was both practical and heartfelt. Before the National Park designation, winter in Fayetteville was — in her words — “dead as a doorknob.” At the same time, Lafayette Flats, a four-story vacation rental property, often sat empty in January. With a core mission of supporting artists, Amy and Shawn chose to see opportunity rather than loss.
They welcomed artists into the space, giving them room to work, time to be creative, and the chance to be inspired by Fayetteville’s natural beauty. Over time, it became clear that this model could grow into something bigger — something that didn’t just support artists, but could also strengthen the community itself.
“Shawn and I are proud to fold the New River Gorge Creative Residency — an artist residency we launched 12 years ago at Lafayette Flats — into Fayetteville Creates,” Amy shared.
“Thanks to the leadership of dedicated community volunteers and the generosity of other vacation rental owners, Fayetteville Creates expands our original vision by welcoming more visiting artists while deepening the impact on the local community through free classes and workshops. This evolution utilizes Fayetteville’s tourism assets during the quiet season to make creativity accessible to everyone.”
Building Fayetteville Creates
With support from a $10,000 “Ripple Grant” awarded by the West Virginia Creative Network, community members came together to shape the vision for Fayetteville Creates as a truly town-wide artist residency.
This vision took shape through a year-long planning process led by a dedicated committee of six community volunteers. From the start, it was essential that the program be just as beneficial to the local community as it is to visiting creatives and tourists. It was also important to the committee that they were not only selecting talented artists, but creatives who are community-minded and genuinely enjoy sharing their skills, stories, and creative process with others.
Two priorities guided decisions:
- All programming would be free, ensuring accessibility for everyone in the community.
- Local businesses would be paid for their services, from food and restaurants to musicians and gift baskets — keeping dollars circulating locally during one of the slowest months of the year.
Turning Vacation Rentals into Creative Spaces
In many small communities, short-term rentals are often viewed as a challenge. Fayetteville Creates intentionally flips that narrative.
Through this program, vacation rentals are transformed into inspiring creative spaces during the winter. Vacation homeowners have generously donated their properties — not for profit, but to invest in Fayetteville as a place to live, not just visit.
Amy shared that many local vacation homeowners jumped at the opportunity because they want Fayetteville to be better for residents as well as visitors. It doesn’t have to be an either-or.
This winter, seven creatives representing different artistic disciplines are staying in donated vacation rentals as they create, explore, and engage with the community.
Art That Lives in the Community
Fayetteville Creates isn’t about artists working behind closed doors. The focus is on connection — bringing art into our streets, shops, and gathering places.
Each creative resident will host a free workshop, class, or demonstration, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and shared experiences. In addition, every artist is paired with a local volunteer art guide, helping them connect more deeply with Fayetteville’s people, places, and culture.
As Amy noted,
“You throw a stick in Fayetteville and you’ll hit a guide — a raft guide or a climbing guide etc. — so why not art guides too?”
Community support has poured in from all directions. Eric from the Escape-A-Torium offered team-building experiences, Sarah Goodyear invited visiting artists to monthly art meet-ups, and Meredith Gregg opened her downtown art studio to a visiting creative. The response has been overwhelming — and incredibly heartening.
Casual Meet-Ups, Real Connections
When asked what excites her most about Fayetteville Creates, Amy didn’t hesitate: the weekly meet-ups.
These gatherings are intentionally casual — no agendas, no expectations. Community members are invited to show up, bring whatever they’re working on, and simply create together.
The goal is connection. Relationships. Shared creativity. A space where people can get to know one another and build something lasting.
January proved to be the perfect month. During Fayetteville’s slowest tourist season, residents can attend art events multiple times a week — from workshops to casual creative hangouts — turning winter into something vibrant and connected. “The off-season leveraging of vacation rentals to benefit both artists and the local community is sustainable tourism at its absolute finest.”
A Warm Welcome to Our Creative Residents
It’s official — our creative residents are here! We are thrilled to welcome all seven artists to Fayetteville for the inaugural winter residency program.If you see one of our creatives out and about, be sure to give them a warm Fayetteville welcome.
Free Events & Workshops for the Community
One of the most exciting parts of Fayetteville Creates is its calendar of free public events,
Powered by Community Support
Fayetteville Creates is made possible through the support of the West Virginia Creative Network, the Fayette Community Foundation, Visit Fayetteville, WV, a passionate team of community volunteers, and generous vacation rental owners who believe in investing in Fayetteville.
If you’d like to get involved — as a community member, artist, or supporter — reach out to the Fayetteville Creates team at Fayettevillewvcreates@gmail.com
Fayetteville Creates Committee Members
- Kristin Carroll
- Kate Kistler
- Nicholas Tankersley
- Cydney Smith
- Shawn Means
- Amy McLaughlin
Generous Vacation Rental Hosts
- Chris & Stacey Tope — The Chestnut
- Amy McLaughlin & Shawn Means — Eddy at Lafayette Flats
- Holly Clark & Tom Dragan — The Walk-Up
- Jamie Lester & Nadia Caterina — artHaus
- Teddy & Lisa Queen — Swiftwater Loft
- Colleen Laffey — Zen Box
- Geoff & Kyle Heeter — The Ayres House
2025 Creative Residents
- Emma Roberts — Illustrator & Painter
- Blue Miskelley — Mixed Media Artist
- Kat von Hacke — Illustrator & Children’s Author
- Sam Kimball — Writer & Podcaster
- Melia Beckford — Painter
- Becks Lipshultz — Musician
- Amy Pabst — Fiber Artist
Growing an Arts Destination — Together
Fayetteville Creates represents more than an artist residency. It’s a statement about who we are as a community: creative, collaborative, welcoming, and willing to try something bold.
By blending art, nature, and people, this program is helping shape Fayetteville into a thriving arts destination — one where creativity isn’t just showcased, but shared.
We can’t wait to see what our creative residents bring to Fayetteville this winter — and what Fayetteville Creates will continue to grow into next.