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Survey results on Charleston’s arts ecosystem to be presented late June – take the survey now

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Source: Flickr user Bill Smith

The Charleston Creativity Connector working group is asking residents – funders, community members, businesspeople, academics, people of faith, elected officials, students, and teachers – to complete a brief survey to help make the path for artists to thrive in Charleston, WV.

The questions are meant to underscore the overall ecosystem affecting artists. It helps the group to see what is being done now and what could be done differently to improve conditions for artists. The tool outlines a spectrum of performance to spur continuous improvement among artists, arts professionals, and others who work with—or want to work with—artists.

Preliminary results from the survey will be shared at the Appalachian Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit. The Summit will discuss ways in which small rural communities can address creative placemaking in a way that is socially and geographically relevant to them. Topics include building arts in rural and isolated areas, creative placemaking in post-industrial communities, mapping assets, and protecting the ethos of a community. Artists, municipal officials, real estate professionals, and economic and policy development professionals are encouraged to attend.

This survey will close on June 14, 2018.

Take the survey »

Find out more about the Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit »

Woodworker Eddie Austin runs national business out of Lincoln County

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Ash Credenza by Eddie Austin Woodworks

BY DAN TAYLOR, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE HUB

Eddie Austin is a unique entrepreneur in Lincoln County, with a very unique story, but one that should be an inspiration to all West Virginians.

Eddie’s business is based in one of the communities The Hub is working with as part of the Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities program, and it serves as model for others who are looking to start or grow their local businesses.

A woodworker and craftsman who has been building handmade furniture for over fifteen years, Eddie sells to people across the state, the country and even the world. You might find his high end cabinetry and furniture in Charleston, Philadelphia, Chicago, California, Austria and more places, but the whole time he has been a resident of this beautiful, rural county. His woodshop, located on Route 34 in Lincoln County, near the Putnam border, once belonged to his mentor and father-in-law, Jim Probst.

Eddie’s interest for furniture making was sparked in high school when he began working for the local furniture maker. “The business found me,” he said. During his senior year in High School, after the restaurant he was working for closed down, Probst made him the offer to come to work for him, starting out sweeping the floors.

After training there for some time, Eddie then attended the University of Rio Grande, graduating first in his class with a degree in fine woodworking technology. “I started out making Shaker tables and ended up making 18th century Queen Anne desks and dressing tables,” he recounts, “That is really where the skills all started and knew I could make a career out of this.”

Custom closet by Eddie Austin Woodworks

His work is all custom, prototyped pieces, created one at a time for the customer.

As for advice to young entrepreneurs starting out, Eddie wants them to know, “People won’t come to you, you have to go to them. Step outside of your comfort zone and write your own plan yourself. And communicating with your customers is key.”

He has a new venture on the way with a business partner, as well. Collaborating with the Coalfield Development Corporation, with whom he has previously worked with developing their woodworking training program, Eddie will be opening the “Red Light Barber Shop” in downtown Hamlin as part of Coalfield’s redevelopment of the Henson Building on Walnut Street.

Hamlin used to have one red light, removed years ago, and their business goal is to create so much traffic downtown that they have to bring the red light back!

Quality product, not volume of product, is what is important to Eddie. In his woodworking, being the top of line is what he sets out to do. “Set goals, and chase the best in your field,” he says.

But, creating community is important to him as well. “The people are the most important thing in my business. Clients become friends and that is so rewarding. I love getting to know the people who want a piece of my work in their homes or businesses. Anyone that makes something wants their customers to appreciate it as much or more than they do. It’s so rewarding that I get to make pieces for people who truly love what I do,” he shared.

Find out more about Eddie at www.eddieaustinwoodworks.com.

Pocahontas County Artisan Co-op a model for collaboration — GLAM Series

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Exterior view of Pocahontas County Artisan Co-op. Image courtesy Anne Walker.

BY SALLY DESKINS, EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS COORDINATOR, WVU LIBRARIES

What’s GLAM? GLAM stands for galleries-libraries-archives-museums, and, for this series, The Hub is partnering up with Sally Deskins of WVU Libraries to put a spotlight on what happens when groups and institutions related to these collaborate. As Sally says, “Sharing resources can bring in more audiences, and lead to a better course for sustainability amongst all, as opposed to seeing each other competitively and bringing each other down.”

Read all of Sally’s GLAM columns here and read more about the series here.

Interior view of Pocahontas County Artisan Co-op. Image courtesy Anne Walker.

Anne Walker is the Mayor of Hillsboro, West Virginia, as well as a member of the Pocahontas County Artisan Cooperative. For this interview, the WVU agriculture alumna shares about her fabric artistry and involvement with the Co-Op plus their collaborations with various organizations from Pocahontas County Art Guild to Mountain Music Trail to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and more…

Sally Deskins: Tell me about your background and why you got into what you do.

Anne Walker: My personal background is in the field of agriculture. I graduated from WVU with a Bachelors’ of Science in Agronomy and a Master’s of Science in Agriculture Education. I joined the Pocahontas County Artisan Co-Op in August of 2013, as a fabric artist, making purses, totes, and aprons. I began sewing as a stay at home mom and started an online business to give my family extra income for fun things, like eating out and vacations we couldn’t afford otherwise. My first project was a diaper bag for myself soon after my son was born in 2005. I’ve always enjoyed creating handmade items and products, even through college. I fell into being a fabric artist as a way to earn extra money.

SD: Tell me about your organization and your role, what you do.

AW: The Pocahontas County Artisan Co-Op was formed in 2007 but was granted non-profit status in 2009. Currently, we have 35+ artisans and crafters in our organization. Our focus on the region’s arts and crafts heritage has attracted a blacksmith, broom maker, basket maker, stonecutter, several quilters, and wood craftsmen making everything from spoons and cutting boards to clocks, scrollwork, and fine furniture. We also have artists working in watercolor and oil, photographers, jewelry-makers, and members creating specialty foods from local sources. We are a business incubator, assisting regional artisans in advancing from hobby to cottage industry. We are also committed to promoting the arts in Pocahontas County through public demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions and community-based educational activities.

I am currently serving on the Marketing Committee, where we promote art, our artists, and events through different media outlets.

SD: What are some ways you have or will collaborate with either outside organizations or groups?

AW: In the past, the Pocahontas County Artisan Co-Op has collaborated with the Pocahontas County Art Guild in providing publicity for their guest artists as well as gift certificates for their redemption. We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Art Guild for use of their current space for meetings and other events. In addition, we are currently in negotiation with the Art Guild and our landlord the Marlinton Depot Committee to provide a public art space at the McLaughlin Cabin (which has been restored). Our hope is that our facility along with the McLaughlin Cabin will provide public space for classes, demonstrations, and events for the community of Pocahontas County.

In addition to the Marlinton Depot Committee and the Pocahontas County Art Guild, we have a membership in the Mountain Music Trail, and the Mountain Arts District. Both of these promote mountain culture through art and music events, as well as websites. Our Co-Op is a stakeholder at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. We operate a seasonal gallery behind the Cass Depot for about 8 months of the year. Our artisans display and sell their work to train enthusiasts who come to Cass for a unique turn of the century train experience. Lastly, we collaborate with the Marlinton Opera House, in that we sell tickets for their events.

Our membership is active in the community’s fairs and festivals during summer months. For the last 3 years, members have provided demonstrations, along with make and take crafts at the Little Levels Heritage Fair held in Hillsboro, WV at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum. In 2017, the Watoga Foundation began “Art in the Park” during Labor Day weekend. Our Co-Op shared its Hotel/Motel funding and supported this event when other grants fell through. We continue to be a sponsor in 2018.

SD: Why is collaborating important to you and/or your position, and WV/society moving forward?

AW: Our Co-Op provides opportunities to individuals who would not have ready access to tourism markets on their own. Collaborating amongst other groups helps our members to network and promote their art. Also, Pocahontas County has high tourism but low socioeconomic standing in the state. Financial and human resources are limited for various reasons. However, pooling resources and efficiently utilizing hotel/motel monies to improve the local economy has a positive impact on our citizens as well as our children. Retirees who move here benefit from the social interaction such events and classes create.

SD: Any advice or tips for people wanting to collaborate—how do you approach people about it without knowing them? How do you think up such ideas?

AW: I would advise anyone looking to collaborate with different groups or organizations to start out volunteering for that organization in order to learn its mission and to network with its members. Non-profit organizations, no matter where they are located, are always in need of human resources. People are more apt to listen to your ideas if they see you are willing to help and want an open and honest dialogue. Collaborative ideas can come from many sources. Mostly, I see collaboration as a way to fill a void in a community. Openly and honestly discussing problems or issues is a great way to learn of a need or void in your community.

Interested in having your group or initiative featured as a part of GLAM? Email Sally at sbdeskins@mail.wvu.edu.

All Together Arts Week happening now across Mercer County

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2017 All Together Arts Week Parade

BY LORI MCKINNEY, RIFFRAFF ARTS COLLECTIVE

All Together Arts Week is happening through May 19 in locations around Mercer County. The week is a community-driven event that spotlights live music, poetry readings, paint nights, art shows, art classes and venues; there will be gallery hops on a special trolley sponsored by The City of Bluefield offering guests an opportunity to discover the variety of venues that are available in Princeton, Bluefield and Bramwell. The purpose of the week is to celebrate and showcase the vibrant tapestry of arts activity our area holds, encourage support and participation, and unite creative people around the county and beyond. The week aims to put the spotlight on “a week in the life of the arts in Mercer County” to demonstrate the variety of creative activity that occurs regularly. Organizers hope people will visit new venues, make new friends, discover new opportunities and become engaged with the blossoming arts scene in the area.

Gallery hops will take place in Bluefield and Bramwell on Thursday the 17th and in Princeton on Friday the 18th. The Bluefield hop will start and end at The Railyard with stops at Bluefield Yarn Shop, The Paine Gallery and Brainerd Gallery in Bluefield Area Arts Center, the new location of Gary Bowling’s House of Art in the former Ramsey School, Bluefield College, The Only Look, and The Corner Shop in Bramwell where the Coal Mining Heritage Festival will be taking place. Guests will enjoy wine and jazz night at The Railyard to top off the evening. In Princeton, the trolley will stop at Chuck Mathena Center Rotunda Gallery, the gallery of Wanda Murphy, Frameworks Plus, Holler Contemporary Appalachian Art Gallery, The Bronze Look, Let Your Art Shine, Diamonds & Gold Look, Associated Photography and The RiffRaff Art Boutique. There is no charge to ride the trolley. See a detailed itinerary at alltogetherarts.com. Organizers send a special thank you to the City of Bluefield Community & Economic Development Department for sponsoring the trolley.

Featured events during the week include several showings of “Savannah Sipping Society” by 4 PALS Productions, poetry in the park sponsored by Appalachian PenWorks, live music at The Railyard, The Room Upstairs at The RiffRaff Arts Collective, and Sam’s Bar, creative activities at Princeton Public Library and Craft Memorial Library, College Night at Let Your Art Shine, the “Spring Fling Paint Thing” at Diamonds and Gold Look, “Paint NIght and Apples” hosted by The Rotary Club at CMC, a Coal Mining Heritage Festival in Bramwell featuring the drama “Terror of the Tug” and much more. Pottery Time in Princeton will offer 20% off of mugs all week. The full schedule of activities is available at alltogetherarts.com.

The Grand Finale Parade and Day of Merriment in downtown Princeton has been described as the most whimsical and joyous day of the year in the Mercer Street Grassroots District. The day begins at 11am on Saturday, May 19th with sidewalk chalk, music and getting in costume for the parade. People are encouraged to dress in their most colorful attire and march with the parade. At 12:30, participants will make their way to the parade starting point in the Service Cleaners parking lot. There will be no motorized vehicles in the parade; there will be puppets, a life- sized paper mache elephant, a dragon and other colorful creatures. Anyone is welcome to join in and guests are encouraged to bring their own puppets, masks or other festive items. The parade will march at 1pm, and will conclude in Dick Copeland Town Square with music, dancing and merriment until about 3pm. This event is free of charge. Special thanks go out to The City of Princeton, the Princeton Police Department and Fire Departments for their cooperation with this tradition.

Visit alltogetherarts.com for a complete schedule and more information, or call 304-320-8833. 

The event is sponsored by The RiffRaff Arts Collective and LLyniuM entertainment. They would like to thank the City of Bluefield Community & Economic Development Department for their sponsorship of the gallery hops.

ART26201 Young Filmmakers Camp

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photo of film making

Filmmaking

BY ART26201

ART26201’s YOUNG FILMMAKERS CAMP is back for a third year in a row June 25th – 29th!

We’re looking for around 15 interested students to take part in our five-day workshop at Lascaux Micro-Theater with Jamie Johnson.

Place: LASCAUX Micro-Theater

Age: 10-15 +/-

Time: 9am – 4pm Daily

Seats: 6(min) -12(max)

Fee: $100

Please contact info@ART26201.com to reserve your child’s seat!

film camp flier image

For more information about ART26201 »

WV News: Local Business is Growing in WV Communities

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photo of small business

Small business

BY JOANN SNODERLY FOR WV NEWS

Tom Hart wanted to take something ugly and rundown and turn it into something beneficial to the community he loves.

Hart and his wife, Donna, bought “a couple of old, basically abandoned buildings on Main Street (in Grafton) and have tried to revitalize them, renovate them and turn them into something that would better serve the community,” he said.

The pair ultimately went on to start two new businesses in the space. Arts and Treasures is a retail store selling primitive home furnishings and decor retail store. The store opened about six years ago. Espresso Yourself, a coffee shop, opened in December.

Hart is part of a community of small business owners that is seeking to improve the quality of life in their own neighborhoods, he said.

Read the full article from WV News here »

You’re Invited! Thomas Celebration April 26

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Photo courtesy of Josh Stevens

BY NEW HISTORIC THOMAS

Thomas Celebration

April 26 | 6:30-8:30pm | Cottrill’s Opera House

The board of New Historic Thomas has decided it is high time to celebrate the successes we have found in our town over the years. From new businesses, public art, trail updates, downtown beautification- you name it, we want to celebrate it! The success of Thomas is truly a community effort and is one that we should we should be proud of!

What can you expect from this party?

  • Food by Farm Up Truck
  • Drinks from local breweries
  • A look into the work that New Historic Thomas has been doing
  • The opportunity to surround yourself with community members who are passionate about Thomas!

See the full details here. We hope to see you there for what we know will be a fun night!

See the full event details on New Historic Thomas’s Event Page »

Libraries As Strategic Art Venues – GLAM Feature

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Viewers visit an exhibit produced by WVU History students at the WVU Downtown Campus Library in 2017. Photo courtesy WVU Libraries.

BY SALLY DESKINS, EXHIBITS & PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WVU LIBRARIES

Since coming on board the West Virginia University Libraries as Exhibits Coordinator, a new position for
WVU Libraries and a truly rare one for libraries in general, I have had a growing interest in the
significance of art programs in libraries, and, further, collaborations between organizations like libraries
and other GLAM institutions (galleries-libraries- archives-museums) to advance the field in general, thus
benefiting us all!

I had the great opportunity to take my research on libraries as strategic art venues to the College Art
Association Conference in Los Angeles in February. This is the largest conference of art professionals in
the world, over four thousand people attend, network and present on topics mostly around the fields of
visual art and art history. I was able to attend partly because of the funding from a Professional
Development grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and I was the only person
currently from West Virginia University (and perhaps the state) that attended, according to the
conference app.

Also, perhaps, the only curator from a library—people don’t firstly think of libraries as venues for
art—but in fact they are ripe for this very role. As books and journals become increasingly digital, the
library becomes a new space—still one for study and resources with expert librarians—but also seeing
its place as an incubator for knowledge and ideas expanded into the visual, into the space itself. Not
only is a library a prime location for art in this way but it also offers an accessible and unintimidating
places for people from all walks of life to come across art, when they may not have gone into a museum
or gallery otherwise (though they should because museums and galleries are awesome!)—in this way,
libraries, as transmitters of knowledge, can also be seen as transmitters of creation—an encouraging
gateway to more art and culture.

That is my research on seeing libraries as strategic art venues in a nutshell—and to be sure—many
libraries do! Many states with the Percent for Art program (which West Virginia, unfortunately, does not
have), dedicate a percentage of construction costs for public buildings to commissioned art—and
libraries fall in this category. So, Ohio State University Library has amazing permanent installations by
international artists such as Ann Hamilton; and Los Angeles Public Library by Therman Statom, further
exciting people about the space and art, while also being a destination for art connoisseurs. Other
libraries have artist-in-residence programs, like Madison Public Library, or dedicated arts programs, like
several including WVU, and many lucky enough to have their own art library. Some even boast their
own special gallery space inside the Library, for rotating exhibits.

As the art crowd traditionally sees most value in exhibiting work in museums and galleries, it was
curious from many perspectives.

Beyond the Library, collaborating amongst GLAM organizations is another layer to advancing the field
and getting more people to experience and appreciate art and other cultural effects. I also had the
opportunity to present in collaboration with Eliza Newland, Collections Manager of the Royce and Carol
B. Watts Museum in Morgantown, about collaborating, at the West Virginia Association of Museums
conference last month in Charleston, thanks in part from a scholarship from the WVAM.

Eliza and I discussed the challenges, hesitancies, and benefits to collaborating, including giving examples
and ideas for projects and types of currencies and other fun stuff. We had a great conversation with
those in attendance and hope people got even one idea to take back with them.

My favorite question asked by the audience was “do you ever do projects collaborating with the
public?” Yes indeed, isn’t this the biggest point? To collaborate with organizations, to have art in the
libraries, all of it is to engage the public. Some projects and exhibitions more evident than others; next
month the WVU Libraries opens “Looking at Morgantown,” an exhibit juried by the Art in the Libraries
committee from over 350 submissions from regional professional and amateur photographers, inspired
by Roger Mays’ “Looking at Appalachia” crowd-sourced project currently on view in the Downtown
Campus Library. On display, April 20 thru August 15, 2018, ”Looking at Morgantown” in Downtown
Campus Library will include 24 photographs by 18 area residents giving their impressions of
Morgantown. This exhibit literally involved inviting the public to submit, but it is our hope that the
public is interested and engaged with any and all of our exhibits and programs. Collaborating with GLAM
organizations can encourage this across the board.

That is the point– -the reason we all work for these organizations, to spread the good news of the arts
and culture, right? So why not spread the goodness-whether its small cross-supporting of social media
posts, or larger, substantial support like educational programming, campaigns or volunteer training.
Even just having informal meetings regularly between organizations with shared ideals is a good thing! If
we advance the field, that means we make a difference.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail: Entrepreneur Turns Fruit Jam Hobby into Business

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Jars for Jelly

BY JENNIFER GARDNER FOR THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE MAIL

Andrea Duke gets her pawpaws the way many do. She forages for them.

She and her mother were at Fort Boreman Park in Parkersburg last year picking “West Virginia bananas” when she thought of a new recipe.

Duke used her bounty to make pulp, added cinnamon and sugar, and called it “pawpaw butter.”

Now the product is a favorite in her line of small batch jams and jellies made from locally grown and harvested fruits. Her Parkersburg-based company is cleverly named “In A Jam!”

Read the full article on The Charleston Gazette Mail’s site »