Welcome
The RiffRaff Arts Collective, a cooperative and interdisciplinary group of performing, visual, literary and healing artists, is based in a multi-purpose creative zone in downtown Princeton, WV. 2 buildings house 2 live performance venues, a state of the art recording studio, 6 artist studios, a music school with nearly 200 students, and a fine art gallery, and expansion is on the horizon. Several creative entities make up the collective: The Room Upstairs, a beautifully restored turn of the century ballroom, plays host to weekly music gatherings, experimental theatre, workshops, art shows, and more. LLyniuM entertainment produces annual events like Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival and All Together Arts Week to inspire unity and provide enriching experiences. Stages Music School provides music instruction with an emphasis on fostering a love and appreciation for the arts. Audible Art Studios offers multitrack recording, mastering, and more. The "Studios on Two" area is home to 5 newly remodeled studio spaces and a spacious gathering area. The RiffRaff Art Boutique showcase over 30 artists. Core artists live and work in and around the downtown space and offer a wide range of services from graphic design to custom photography to music instrument repair. Located in the Mercer Street Grassroots District of downtown Princeton, WV, the collective has pumped soul into neglected turn of the century structures, and is breathing life into a once depressed downtown area. With new businesses sprouting up all over Mercer Street, a bright and prosperous renaissance is afoot in this small WV town.
What's UP With The RiffRaff
Create Your State
After a decade of creative place-making here in Princeton, Lori & Robert have gained valuable experience which they now love to share. They now travel the region with an amazing group of RiffRaff collaborators inspiring and empowering others to transform their environment. Create Your State is a multi-media presentation featuring the music of Option 22 and a compelling exchange about the arts as a catalyst for growth. Find out more at createyourstate.org
All Together Arts Week Paints the Town!
Upcoming Events
CLICK HERE for a 2018 Schedule!
From concerts to comedy shows to drum workshops & parades, there are tons of ways to get involved & get creative!
Princeton Renaissance Project
Something very exciting is currently happening on Mercer Street. After years of energy sparks, a synergy has taken hold, and The RiffRaff now teams with Community Connections, The City of Princeton, Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Times, ETB Architects, WV Community Development Hub and more in a multi-dimensional downtown revitalization effort. One of the most exciting aspects is the acquisition of the old Royal/Lavon theater, newly christened "The Renaissance Theater," just a few doors down from The RiffRaff. Fundraising is on-going, and renovations are underway to restore the theater to its former glory. It will house movies, music and more. Find out more here:Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival
Mural Projects!
The RiffRaff organized and facilitated multiple mural projects in downtown Princeton in cooperation
with Community Connections & The Princeton Renaissance Project.
Artists' Alley, a 22 mural project involving a multitude of artists, is sponsored by Golden Artist Colors, as a result of The RiffRaff's presence at the Americans For the Arts Conference in Pittsburgh last spring. Sherwin Williams donated the prep materials. CLICK HERE For a Link To a Full Album. Several large professional murals were completed in addition.
Pictured above are Jeff Pierson's portrait of Blind Alfred Reed, Rob Cleland's joyful celebration of life and Christopher Clark & John Trail's bookshelf next to the public library.
Stages Music School
Students at Stages Music School have been performing in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Boston and around WV, making music videos and changing the world! CLICK HERE to keep up with their constant stream of activity. Stages is currently eying expansion with an after-school program which will ultimately include instruction in recording and other music technology. Stay tuned for updates!
One of the key bands from Stages Music School is The Change. They are taking the world by storm with their fierce determination to spread the word of love, kindness and compassion. They are ambassadors for the Free2Luv campaign, and we are so honored to live and create in this neighborhood with them! Check them out at thechangebeginswithus.com