All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Celebrate the sunny season’s end with a stroll through ‘Late Summer Market,’ artist Noel Tenney’s latest exhibit

Artist Noel W. Tenney in the Old Orchard Gallery in 2022 / (My Buckhannon file photo by Katie Kuba)

BUCKHANNON – It’s late August, and the time is ripe for picking juicy tomatoes, absorbing the last rays of summer sun and soaking in some local art.

Residents and visitors to Buckhannon and Upshur County can do the latter this Saturday, August 27 in the Old Orchard Gallery on the second floor of Fish Hawk Acres, where historian and local artist Noel W. Tenney is now showing a selection of new artwork in an exhibit titled “Late Summer Market.”

“Late Summer Market” opened Thursday, but you can still see some of Tenney’s newest works – several have been completed in the last year – from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Anyone who can’t make it to the exhibit, which showcases oil paintings and colorful cut-paper collages, is invited to contact Tenney by email at noelwtenney@yahoo.com to schedule an appointment.

Among the offerings in Tenney’s ‘Market’ is the largest cut-paper collage he’s ever completed, a 20-by-16 piece of art titled “Gather ye rosebuds,” named after a poem written by Robert Herrick that was featured in the 1989 “Dead Poets Society” film.

“That’s the biggest piece I’ve ever cut,” Tenney said Thursday. “The poem goes on about flowers that bloom today but are dead tomorrow, and my piece is a tree that takes you through the seasons. It’s really a study of the seasons, and I hadn’t thought of a tree like that before.”

Another cut-paper piece incorporates an actual photograph Tenney captured of an evening moon in Upshur County, and a third oil painting, “Grassy Run Falls” features one of the area’s most picturesque waterfalls, a hidden gem in the Sago area of Upshur County that used to be known as Hesper. It’s the only waterfall Tenney has ever painted, and he utilized an early 20th-century photograph of Grassy Run Falls for guidance.

“I’ve been there two or three times, and I painted once in plain air there,” he said. “It was a favorite spot because you know, Sago was always a popular swim hole.”

Tenney said he’s approaching 80 years old but never tires of painting or perusing other people’s artwork.

“I look at a lot of works of art, especially historical,” Tenney said, “and you can do that online a lot now, too. I get really excited when I go to a museum and I get to spend time and look at things. I get really excited about new ideas.”

“I just like to paint, but I’ve done every kind of art there is,” he added. “I’m almost 80 years old but I still make time to paint.”

You can read more about Tenney’s work and his artistic philosophy here.

Tenney’s exhibit features some all-new oil paintings and cut-paper artworks that he completed within the last year.
Clockwise from top right is Tenney’s “The Gooden Farm in Winter” (oil on canvas), “Gather ye rosebuds” (cut paper) and “Grassy Run Falls” (oil on canvas).

Several additional oil paintings by Tenney that are part of his “Late Summer Market” exhibition.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

State may begin returning control to Upshur County school board in February 2026

The West Virginia Department of Education may begin incrementally returning control to the Upshur County Board of Education in February 2026 if academic improvements continue and cleanup of findings restores capacity and trust.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 4: Winning in spite of…

Duane Carpenter says West Virginia beat Pitt despite Rich Rodriguez’s poor coaching, condemns Travis Kelce’s support for Rashee Rice after a high-speed crash, then reports My Buckhannon standings and this week’s local game picks.

Buckhannon Academy starts hygiene closet with Rotary Club grant

A $270 Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur grant will help Buckhannon Academy Elementary School launch a hygiene closet stocked with deodorant, toothpaste, feminine products and other essentials for students in need. The school already offers a Comfort Closet, a shower and a therapy dog.

Hodgesville Elementary to receive state support as part of four-year improvement program

Upshur County Schools reported districtwide gains, and Hodgesville Elementary received a four-year CSI support designation.
WVWC Golf

Bobcat golfers compete in Dr. Wally Edgell Invitational

West Virginia Wesleyan men’s golf finished 13th of 16 at the Dr. Wally Edgell Invitational (965, +91) as Glenville State won, with Robin Heidenreich pacing the Bobcats and the team returning Sept. 22–23.

Soccer Bobcats drop 4-1 battle to Point Park in MEC action

West Virginia Wesleyan fell 4–1 to Point Park as an early three-goal deficit proved decisive, though freshman Lis Shala scored his first collegiate goal in the 82nd minute to avoid a shutout.

Soccer Lady ‘Cats double up Senators in 2-1 road win

West Virginia Wesleyan women’s soccer edged Davis & Elkins 2-1 on the road as goals from Ava Badallo and Paloma Zamora and six saves from Maite Coutinho delivered the Lady Bobcats’ first MEC win.

First Community Bank holds onto lead in men’s golf league standings

First Community Bank extended its lead to 92½ points in fourth-quarter Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial League after a 23-17 win, with Lisa Cain Edward Jones climbing to second on 89 points.

B-UMS X-C squads have solid showings at Doddridge County

Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School’s boys and girls cross-country teams each finished fourth at the Doddridge County Invitational, with Felix Stump and Audrey Johnston among the top finishers.