Our Story

Artworks began in 1986 as a gallery selling the artwork of West Virginia watercolor artist Lotus MacDowell while also offering custom framing. Over the years, with Lotus at the helm, Artworks has built up a strong community of fellow female artists and female framers, which has powered our expansion.

We’ve faced our fair amount of challenges, including a devastating fire in the fall of 2019 at the retail space we shared with other local businesses. The fire tore through Artworks and took everything we had with it. But our community rallied and we brought Artworks back from the brink.

Today Artworks offers paintings and giclées (digital prints) by Lotus MacDowell and other national, regional, and local artists, as well as a gift shop selling everything from pottery, jewelry and home decor accents to gifts for men, women and children of all ages. We also stock eco-friendly gifts.

As for our framing, we continue to evolve and innovate there too, incorporating creative presentation techniques alongside conservation practices so you can enjoy your piece of art for years to come.

"When asked, “Why should I shop at Artworks”? we could go on and on about our exceptional, superb gifts that are certain to inspire even the most difficult to satisfy recipients. We have more than thirty-five years involvement in making delightful choices of novel gift items found locally and from around the globe. A huge measure of effort goes into picking items to fill our shop in the desire to guarantee total consumer loyalty when each gift is purchased. Look over our wide selection of gifts for specific events, for example, Birthday, Get Well, Thank You, Wedding, Graduation, Baby, Anniversary and a lot more to find out and discover why Artworks has the ideal present for that unique individual.

Artworks is situated in small town, USA - Bridgeport, WV specifically. Living and working in this quaint environment has numerous benefits. It allows us to focus on giving our customers the highest quality products, providing the most perfect care for customer service available anywhere, in any industry – not just custom picture framing. We have a sincere attachment to our community and all the people which it encases. We care about our city and our state and the image that it portrays to the world. We have a vast selection of frames, mats, glass and artwork with which to choose. Our mission is not only to provide excellent quality, service, and price but to make every customer’s framing project a reflection of their personality - at its best!"
Lotus MacDowell

Lotus MacDowell is the owner of Artworks. She is not only a shop owner but an active member of our community. Notably, Lotus, the artist, brings a layer of expertise to Artworks that is truly exceptional. She is best known for her photorealistic watercolor technique and has 60 limited edition prints so far in her library of accomplishments. Artworks proudly exhibits and sells her work of images from West Virginia to China, Italy, and Ireland. Her artistic ability is an asset with our specialty framing work – collages, shadowboxes, needlework, and painting restorations. Her specialty painting and embellishments on mats and frames sets Artworks far apart from other art and framing shops.

Lastly, what is a business without its employees? Artworks has a devoted group who work enthusiastically in the pursuit of the best quality and customer service in and around our area. They are all extremely friendly and knowledgeable and will go above and beyond in an effort to steer customers in the right direction – whether it be the purchase of a unique gift, art, or custom picture framing. Our staff has inspired affection and gratefulness but, most of all, trust within not only our local population but with customers who have relocated as well. We have many who mail their framing projects to Artworks after they’ve moved as a result of the confidence that has been instilled from the relationships that we’ve built. We would love to have the opportunity to serve you as well. Just give us a call at 304-842-7626- we stand ready to help you out.