About Us...
Appalachian Gallery is Morgantown’s largest framing studio, gallery and gift shop specializing in art & crafts by West Virginia artists & artisans. In operation since 1987, Appalachian Gallery is owned by Laurie Nugent and Penelyn Peterson, whose experience in the fields of art and fine custom picture framing has a combined total of over 50 years.
The staff’s experience, knowledge, and fine craftsmanship have earned Appalachian Gallery a reputation for quality and integrity, providing a level of professional custom framing and a body of regional artwork & crafts unsurpassed in the area.
Ms. Nugent, previously part-owner of ART, ETC. Custom Framing in Wheeling, has over 25 years experience in the field. Possessing a BS in Commercial Art, she is a highly qualified framing consultant with a natural sense of color & composition. The primary buyer for the gallery, Laurie believes in supporting and promoting the talent in our state, keeping the gallery’s focus on West Virginia artists and craftspersons.
Ms. Peterson has over 20 years experience as a picture framer and is an accomplished artist in her own right. With a BFA in painting, she is not only proficient in that area, but is also a skilled seamstress and is highly creative & talented in the areas of costume design, set design and set construction, skills which are utilized in her work as an expert custom picture framer.
With lovely displays of artistry in ambient surroundings that encompass two floors, the gallery’s retail location offers a large variety of art and crafts including handblown glassware by Blenko and Ron Hinkle Glass, both functional & non-functional stoneware pottery and porcelain; handwoven baskets; wooden bowls, utensils and cutting boards; wrought iron work; mosaic art; stained-glass mirrors and plates from Amingo Glass; silver, fused-glass, ceramic and semi-precious stone jewelry; hand-quilted and crocheted pieces; handcrafted folk toys; thumb pianos and dulcimers; books, cards and stationery; block prints, watercolors, oils, drawings, photographs, giclees and limited-edition lithographs from regional artists such as Don Whitlatch, Kevin Arnold, Glen Barnes, Jeanne Brenneman, Sheila Caim, Frank Ceravalo, Charlotte Gerlach, William Goebel, Daryl Gray, Jan and Jonathan Heath, Peggy Isaack, Lotus MacDowell and Wolf Creek Printery.
Appalachian Gallery has recently moved into the historic "Sandcastle" building, an elegant century-old brick & stone Romanesque Gothic style structure with such beautiful features as the original handcarved oak woodwork, stained glass windows and hardwood floors, providing an exquisite showcase for the gallery's many treasures. On the first floor you'll find three beautiful rooms filled with unique gifts, crafts & art by local & regional artists, as well as the custom framing design room with over 2,000 frame styles to choose from. The second floor is comprised of the framing studio and two gallery areas: the Young-At-Art Gallery features framed art for kids, as well as a variety of handcrafted toys, children’s reading books, coloring books & activity kits; Penelyn Peterson's Gallery contains finely framed original artwork as well as a large selection of prints of the artist's colorful, bold and unique graphic style.
Now located at 270 Walnut Street next to Morgantown Beauty College and right across the street from the Public Safety Parking Garage, Appalachian Gallery is open most of the year from 10am to 6pm Monday thru Friday and 10am until 5pm on Saturdays. Check our News section on this site for closure dates and information on special events.
Quality, Selection, Expertise . . . Appalachian Gallery