Lewisburg Carnegie Hall showcases artists in photography and ceramics in the Museum Gallery

LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) — The August and September Exhibitions at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg carry on through collaborations with regional artists specializing in pottery and photography.

The Museum Gallery is partnering with Jessie Thornton, a photographer born in Point Pleasant, WV and Nanette Seligman, a potter located in Davis, WV. Thornton attended Marshall University to study biomedical sciences and hoped to gain employment in an area with more opportunities.

The ‘struggle to stay’ phenomenon in West Virginia is very much a real thing for nearly everyone who grows up in this state and it was no different for me. West Virginia always felt like home.

Jessie Thornton | Photographer

He chose to broaden his experiences through traveling the county, and was compelled to do so in part by Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder Thornton was born with. As he didn’t know how long he would be able to do so, he began learning how to use a camera and put it to work throughout his adventures.

Through his work, he began to view things in a different light. He experienced ‘real’ mountains, large canyons, darkened skies, and the lights of the cities he visited. Though he enjoyed himself, he found himself returning to the Appalachian Mountains and seeking the rivers, valleys and canyons in the Mountain State that somewhat pale in comparison to those out West. However, he feels that West Virginian small towns and cities are compelling with the right lighting, and the Milky Way is still able to be viewed in the night sky.

A painter and potter, Seligman combines the two in her ceramic works, an outlet for self-expression. Her ceramic studio, located in Davis, WV, is where many of her creations are made. These creations end up sold at a variety of markets, such as the Davis Farmers, Artisan Market, as well as Artist at Work in Elkins, WV.

After receiving her education in arts and ceramics, she taught art from the kindergarten level through the collegiate level, a passion she shared through the emphasis she placed on art education. After many years, she decided to focus on her studio and create.

The showcase at Carnegie Hall are free of charge and available to view Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until September concludes. To learn more about Carnegie Hall, visit their website , call 304-645-7917, or pay Carnegie Hall a visit located at 611 Church Street in Lewisburg.

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