Museums: The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston enhances the cultural and educational life of the entire state with its premier art museum, planetarium, educational programs and first-class performing arts center serving as host to dance companies, orchestras and ensembles from throughout the world. Visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Performing arts: Listeners all over the globe enjoy Mountain Stage, a public radio program recorded live each week in West Virginia and broadcast around the world, featuring today’s hottest musicians. In Europe and Africa, Mountain Stage is heard on Voice of America. Visit www.mountainstage.com.

Arts and crafts: Tamarack, named after a tree native to the state, is the nation’s first and only statewide collection of handmade crafts, arts and cuisine. Tamarack’s visitors find the wares of West Virginia artisans on display and, in many instances, for sale. They also enjoy the rare opportunity to observe West Virginia artists at work in the many theatrical performances and craft demonstrations held regularly. The Taste of West Virginia Food Court, managed by The Greenbrier Resort, offers fine cuisine. Visit www.tamarackwv.com.

Fairs and festivals: The Appalachian String Band Music Festival is a five-day mountaintop gathering of musicians and friends with contests, concerts, workshops, square dances, camping and a hymn-sing. West Virginia masters are presented to an audience of more than 3,000 musicians and string band music lovers from around the world. Over the history of this festival, more than 20 foreign countries and 40 of the 50 states have been represented, with many returning year after year to this much-loved festival. Visit www.wvculture.org/stringband.

For more information about cultural activities in the state visit:
West Virginia Division of Culture and History at www.wvculture.org.