Formato Fine Arts

Erin Simons of Laurel Ridge Studios is a craftswoman, historical interpreter, and educator from Southwest Virginia.

Erin offers education through the historical interpretation of Traditional Appalachian Broom Making demonstration, as well as broom making classes.

Erin offers whisks and brooms bound by hand, start to finish, and woven with a non-electric process. Many of the handles are harvested in the woods behind her studio and traditional Appalachian crafting techniques are applied when constructing each piece.

Her brooms are created to carry on the tradition and culture of Appalachia, as well as, to create beautiful and functional pieces of art that help instill a sense of joy and beauty in common everyday tasks.

Ava's abstract paintings are a reflection of her inner world, filled with emotion and expression. With bold brushstrokes and a vibrant color palette, she creates visually stunning compositions that invite viewers to interpret and connect with the artwork on a personal level.

Oliver's mixed-media sculptures are a fusion of organic forms and industrial materials. Inspired by the intersection of nature and technology, his work explores themes of transformation and adaptation, inviting viewers to contemplate the ever-changing world around them.

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APPALACHIAN PUNK: ART FROM A CHANGING MOUNTAINDecember 6 at Formato Fine ArtsJoin us for a one-night exhibition that merges Appalachian grit with punk defiance. This show confronts the realities of global warming, the collapse and rebuilding of West Virginia’s economy, and the complicated ties between the land and the people who refuse to leave it behind. Featuring works that pull from coal country history, environmental resilience, folklore, and the raw energy of mountain punk culture, the exhibition captures a region in transformation.Expect an immersive night of art, music, drinks, and light snacks as we showcase artists who challenge the narrative of what Appalachia is and what it can become. This is a gathering for anyone who loves the mountains, questions the systems built on them, and believes in the future rising from the seams.Free and open to the public. Come out and feel the pulse of a changing Appalachia.

The goal of The Peach Fuzz is to make activism accessible and fun, giving you colorful ways to raise your voice and make participation in a movement as easy as putting a sticker on your water bottle. Of course, activism is much more than just a sticker, but we've all gotta start somewhere! I want you to be empowered to stand up for what you believe in, and do it all with a little creativity and a lot of sass. The issues we are facing in the realms of racism, sexism, climate change, mental health, and politics in general are devastating and honestly it is often all so overwhelming. Art has given me an outlet to scream at the top of my lungs “YOU SHOULD REALLY CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO OTHER PEOPLE” but in a way that is playful and optimistic and life-affirming and ultimately invites as many as possible to join our cause. In the words of Toni Cade Bambarayou, "The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible" and that's exactly what I'm out to do.