Main Street to Mountains: A Wheeling Portrait is a community-driven plein air art experience and juried exhibition created specifically for Wheeling’s America 250 celebration. On June 20, artists of all skill levels will gather at designated locations throughout the city to paint and capture the landscapes, people, architecture, and character that make Wheeling unique. Those works, along with additional public submissions, will be featured in a juried exhibition at the Artisan Center, and will remain on display through the summer.
This project gives people a personal and creative way to connect local identity with a national milestone. It supports working artists, invites broad public participation, and creates a welcoming, visible cultural experience as part of Wheeling’s 250th celebration.
Plein Air Art Experience
June 20, 2026
Artists can register below to paint live throughout Wheeling at locations such as Heritage Port, Centre Market, Wheeling Park, and Oglebay.
Registration is open April 1 – June 5 and costs $25 (includes box lunch). All plein air works are eligible for the juried exhibition and awards.
Public Invitation:
Come downtown on June 20 and watch artists painting across the city in real time. Visit the info tent at Heritage Port from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. for maps of artist locations and explore Wheeling through art.
Photo by Scott McCloskey/The Intelligencer
Juried Gallery Exhibition
Opening Reception: July 2, 2026
Exhibition Dates: July 2 – August 31
This is an open call for artists to submit work for inclusion in the summer exhibition. Selected works from both the plein air event and open call will be featured. Accepted mediums include paint, mixed media, and sculpture.
Applications are open April 1 – June 5. The application fee is $10.
Opening Reception
The opening reception will be at the Wheeling Artisan Center on July 2. It is free and open to the public and includes award announcements, artist meet-and-greets, and a first look at the exhibition.
All artwork sales go 100% to the artist.
Award Categories:
Best of Show – $500
2nd Place – $250
Honorable Mention – $25
People’s Choice
