Jude Binder, a woodcarver, dancer, playwright, and educator, has spent her life blending art with personal and social transformation. After early immersion in ballet, music, and theater, she settled in Calhoun County in 1973, inspired by West Virginia’s beauty and the back-to-the-land movement. In 1982, she co-founded Heartwood in the Hills, a nonprofit arts school dedicated to empowering youth through creative expression.

Binder’s holistic approach fused movement, health, and healing, while projects like the Peace Festival used art to promote understanding. Her film Field of Flowers, created over 11 years, tackled domestic violence through puppetry, masks, and dance. A skilled woodcarver, her piece Autumn Hare, co-created with Parkersburg artist Norm Sartorious, earned a Governor’s Award. Honored with multiple arts fellowships, Binder continues to inspire, including as Charleston’s beloved “FestivALL Princess,” known for her joyful costumes and community spirit.