Art & Beautification

Funding opportunity for artists committed to working with their communities

07.31.18

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Alternate ROOTS is an Atlanta, GA based organization that supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition, or spirit that has been around for more than 40 years. The organization connects a distinct segment of the arts and culture field – artists who have a commitment to making work in, with, by, for and about their communities, and those whose cultural work strives for social justice.

They currently have a call out for applications for their Artistic Assistance Program – applications are due by September 11, 2018 – and have made a special request for artists working in West Virginia to apply. First time applicants and those not previously funded are required to hold a Conversation of Intent prior to submitting their applications that needs to be scheduled by September 4.

The Artistic Assistance Program provides direct support to individual artists and cultural workers in the South to enhance their skills, create unique projects, and build community. The program has two funding areas: professional development and project development.

Find out more about this funding opportunity »

Grafton students create new Sidewalk Chalk Festival to raise funds for community event

07.17.18

Students distribute flyers

BY BREANNA COLLINS, ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES VISTA, THE HUB

The local Espresso Yourself Coffee House in Grafton has become a community gathering space for people of all ages, including a group of creative Grafton High School students who participate in the school’s theatre and show choir group, band, and are also art students. These students meet at the local coffee house to hang out, create art together, and simply have a good time.

One quiet afternoon, the students were spending time together at the shop when they began creating art outside using sidewalk chalk. They spent hours with owner, Donna Hart, outside enjoying the nice weather and having fun. Two ladies stopped by for coffee during this time that were traveling from California. They decided to join in.

They explained to the students that sidewalk chalk festivals were something that happened regularly in California. Donna and the students began to wonder why something like that couldn’t be done right here in Grafton, WV.

We worked with the students to help them think through all of the details so that they would learn how to plan a community event. The group decided that this would be a fundraiser for the community’s annual ArtStock to be held this September.

These students, currently juniors and seniors in high school, are working to establish the event, and then bring in new students in each year to continue the trend of this being a student-run event. The event brings youth involvement and leadership into Grafton’s community development efforts.

Emily and Rachel Rock, GHS Juniors, have worked diligently to determine the date and times of the event, create and hang fliers, talk with the City Manager for event approval, go door to door of local business owners, and work out event details.

They decided to create different categories to be judged where fellow students – Emily, Rachel, and Hunter Neel – and the Director of the Taylor County Arts Council, Beth Flanery, would determine a variety of winners.

The event fundraiser is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 25, 10 am – 3 pm. The entry fee is $5.00 per participant and includes one sidewalk square. Participants are asked to bring sidewalk chalk with them.

The event will be held on Grafton’s W Main Street in the downtown area where Grafton City Hospital will be setup with water and extra chalk.

Event judging will begin at 2 pm and prizes will be awarded to category winners. The group hopes that the fundraiser will provide fun for families and people of all ages and help support the Taylor County Arts Councils initiative to have Grafton named as an Arts Community. For questions, reach out to me or contact Buffalo Flats Artist Association on Facebook.

Summit to drive more public murals across Appalachia happening in KY

07.09.18

GoodSpace mural, Lyndale Community School, Minneapolis

The Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Appalachian Program are inviting people to take part in The Great Mountain Mural Mega Fest in Cumberland, Kentucky August 2nd-5th, 2018.

The Great Mountain Mural Mega Fest is a gathering of artists, teachers, students, and creative placemakers interested in learning how to:

Create enduring outdoor, large scale murals;
Work with property owners and local governments to make public art happen;
Engage schools, youth, and other community members in the design and creation of public murals; and
Integrate the creation of murals into larger plans for community development and creative placemaking.

The Great Mountain Mural Mega Fest is a place for:

Visual artists who have never made an outdoor mural to learn the technical skills involved from veteran mural artists;
People with all levels of experience in mural making to be with one another to trade ideas and experiences and plan future work; and
Current and future mural makers to engage with experts in other aspects of public art making beyond the art itself—areas like fundraising, working with local government, and community organizations—and connect with national creative placemaking organizations and practitioners.

Participants in The Great Mountain Mural Mega Fest will find themselves in a gathering of people involved and invested in expanding the role of art and artists in community development and local economies.

Find out more information »

Parsons Advocate: Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail gets a boost from new signs

06.19.18

Residents gather with one of the signs

BY PARSONS ADVOCATE STAFF FOR PARSONS ADVOCATE

As of Saturday, May 26, Tucker County residents and visitors can enjoy five new historic interpretation signs along the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail below the Town of Thomas.

The signs are located at important local historic sites where remnants of structures like the former railroad depot, roundhouse, and machine shop are still visible.

Before the new signs were installed, these landmarks were easy to miss or misinterpret, but all that has changed. The large, professional signs highlight the existing structures while also providing fascinating photos and text describing what the area once looked like and how the railroad influenced the development of industry and patterns of immigration…

Read the full story on the Parsons Advocate site »

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

06.05.18

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

06.05.18

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

05.29.18

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

05.15.18

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

04.24.18

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!

For more information about ART26201 »

WV News: Local Business is Growing in WV Communities

04.24.18

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 »