Artefaktual Comics and Games

Artefaktual Comics and Games is a comics and games clubhouse at 47 S. Main St. in Philippi, West Virginia. It works less as a conventional card shop than as a community space: a board game library, an art supply library, vintage video games, and a standing event on every Sunday of the month. It suits people who want a place to play, make things or trade, and it has shifted its focus toward events and organizing The Realm conventions rather than casual retail.

The game and art libraries

The core of the space is a large library of board and card games that visitors can pull off the shelf and play in the clubhouse. Alongside it sit the materials needed to start a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and a set of vintage video games that connect to the TV. There is also a shelf of puzzles and a large collection of Legos kept for playing with rather than selling. An art supply library lets visitors try a medium they haven't used before, and comics are on hand to read in the space. Orders can be placed in person.

Sunday event days

Every Sunday is event day, and each week of the month has its own theme.

Art Club picks a theme each month, anything from junk journaling to papier-mâché, though anyone who would rather try a different medium from the art supply library is welcome to.

Legos and puzzles day brings out the Lego collection and the puzzle shelf for anyone who likes piecing things together.

The swap meet is the closest thing to a card-trading day. Each month has a theme, such as books, comics, games, toys or collectibles, and traders are asked to bring only what fits it so everyone knows what to expect. Trading happens inside if space is free, and calling ahead is the way to find out what is available. Traders can also fill a trunk and trade from the parking lot, weather permitting. Game day on the 4th Sunday opens the whole game library, including the D&D materials and the vintage video games.

Renting the clubhouse

The space can be rented for events, meetings or classes, and a rental can include access to the board game library, the art supply library and the technology tools. Pricing and available dates come from calling or stopping in.

Hours

On days when no event is running, the clubhouse is open for hanging out, using the art or game libraries, reading a comic, doodling on the sidewalk or chatting.

The local scene

Hobby Stop and Four Horsemen Comics & Gaming are both in Bridgeport, about 14.7 and 16.8 miles away, and Timeless Collectibles is in Buckhannon, about 15.1 miles away.