FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fairmont State University brings the community together for crafts and to learn more about West Virginia heritage.

The Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center on the university’s campus is holding “Second Saturdays” for the remainder of their spring 2022 semester.

On the second Saturday of each month, the organizers offer a different craft and open their exhibition space for people to explore. The January activity was hot. People of all ages were able to roll and mold paper to make snowflakes to take home.

The center is usually only open Monday through Friday, but organizers said they knew it could be difficult for people to get there at that time. That’s why they now offer these activities on weekends.

“It’s something new and we know that when you have something new it takes a while for people to get used to it,” said Francene Krik, Acting Director of Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center. “They’re so used to that we’re not open on weekends, so we’re going to try to create this culture of ‘hey, come join us on the second Saturday of every month. “”

Second Saturdays run until April. More information on the trades that will be offered at future events can be found on the centers’ Facebook page.

The craft of the second Saturday before was cave painting, pop-up Christmas cards. Krik said that all of the crafts are easy for kids up to age seven to do and don’t take a lot of time.

The center is also open on the “second Saturday” for people to visit their gallery. The second floor of the old barn features a gallery of stories about the history of West Virginia. Each art panel in the gallery has audio narration for visitors to listen to. The center also currently houses a collection on the Civil War which will soon be replaced by a collection of traditional music.

“We’re really proud of our gallery space and think it speaks to the early groups of immigrants who made West Virginia what it is,” Krik said.

“The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is a cultural gem,” said Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University. “The Folklife Center is the perfect place to learn more about West Virginia’s rich cultural heritage. And now, thanks to the events of the Second Saturday series, everyone can not only learn about this heritage, but also experience these rich traditions firsthand. “

The Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is located on the Fairmont State Universities campus on Squibb Boulevard.