Wheeling’s City of Lights Gets a Fresh Look Thanks to Local Student

WHEELING, W.Va. – July 14, 2025 – Wheeling Heritage, a designated Main Street West Virginia Community, with support from the City of Wheeling, has introduced a fresh and festive new look for downtown’s City of Lights, featuring a new logo designed by West Liberty University student Ella Smith. Smith, a junior graphic design major from St. Marys, W.Va., created the winning design through a collaborative project with WLU’s Department of Media and Visual Arts. Her work will help define Wheeling’s winter celebration for years to come.

Mayor Denny Magruder, along with Cecilia Konchar Farr, dean of West Liberty University’s College of Liberal and Creative Arts, and Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage, joined in recognizing Smith and her professor, Sarah Davis, for their contributions. Davis, professor of graphic design at WLU and director of the WLU Community Design Studio, led the initiative on behalf of the City of Lights committee, connecting students with real-world community engagement opportunities.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity — it has meant so much to me,” Smith said. “Seeing the outcome of hard work come to life is truly astounding. I’m especially thankful for the support and guidance of my professor, Sarah Davis, and deeply appreciative of Wheeling Heritage for believing in my design. I’m honored that my work was chosen, and I can’t wait to see it come to life as part of downtown’s City of Lights.”

“I want to thank Scott Schenerlein and the City of Lights committee for entrusting WLU graphic design students with the design of this historic logo,” Davis said. “Partnerships like this inspire our students through experiential learning and the opportunity to give back to our community. I’m so proud of all the students who participated. I’m especially excited for Ella and congratulate her on this achievement. It has been such a joy to work with her in creating such a meaningful and timeless design.”

The City of Lights celebration continues to grow, building on the momentum of the Wheeling Christmas Parade’s 40th anniversary and the nearing completion of downtown’s streetscape project. This year’s festivities will feature a new large Christmas tree at Market Plaza and outdoor igloos for dining, developed in partnership with local restaurants, encouraging visitors to stay, shop, and support small businesses downtown.

“Wheeling’s City of Lights has long been a cherished tradition. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary, this fresh new look will add a wonderful spark to the festivities,” said Mayor Denny Magruder. “Ella’s design honors the joy of the season while giving us a new symbol to carry forward. We’re grateful to West Liberty University for fostering such creativity and helping us shine a little brighter Downtown.

The grand addition of LED snowflakes, sponsored by local businesses, families, and organizations, will once again line Main and Market streets from 10th to 16th streets—transforming downtown into a winter wonderland.

A special thank-you goes to the following sponsors who are helping make downtown Wheeling shine this holiday season:

1306 • American Tire • The Appliance Connection • Barack Law LLC • Carol Bell • Casey & Chapman, PLLC • Casto Technical Services, Inc. • City of Wheeling • David & Jennifer Croft • Deric & Karen Jamison • DiCarlo’s Pizza • Diocese of Wheeling – Charleston • Doug Carl & Sumner Riddick • Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Daniel Young, CFP • Expand Energy Corporation • FeltonCPA • Fort Henry Capital • Friends of Wheeling • Genius Empowered Teams • Hampton Inn Wheeling • The Health Plan • Hydie Friend • In Loving Memory of Jackie Connors, “Merry Christmas” • In Loving Memory of Thomas Dupke and “The Island” Dupke Families by Jane L. Dupke • Jay Frey & Michael Hires • Jeff & Ronna-Renee Jackson • John & Camille Devlin • Judge & Mrs. Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. • Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. • Lea Ridenhour & Eriks Janelsins • Mary and Gary Hamilton • McKinley Architecture and Engineering, Inc. • Mills Group • Missy & Paul Ashmore • Newbridge • NF Mansuetto and Sons Inc • Ohio Valley Community Federal Credit Union • Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe • Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration • Pat Clark Jeffers, in honor of the Clark and Jeffers Families • Project BEST, Inc. • RED: Regional Economic Development Partnership • Riverbridge Wealth Management of Raymond James • Robin & Quinn McCroskey • Sarah’s on Main • The Smith Family in memory of Tom Smith & Rita Henthorne • Steve & Jackie Johnston • Sue Smith & Tina Iarossi in memory of Carolyn Schneider & Patricia Voitle • Susie & Doug Nelson • Terry Whitecotton • Undo’s Family Restaurant & Catering • Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel • United Bank • WesBanco • West Virginia Northern Community College • Wheeling University • WVU Medicine

There’s still time to get involved! Sponsor a snowflake and be part of the magic at https://wheelingheritage.org/snowflake-sponsorship/ or call Wheeling Heritage at (304)232-3087.

The City of Lights initiative is made possible through collaboration among the City of Wheeling, the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wheeling Heritage, West Liberty University’s Department of Media and Liberal Arts, and the Wheeling Christmas Parade Committee.

About Wheeling Heritage:

Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.

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