By SUZANNE TATE - COALFIELD PROGRESS
Published March 29, 2005

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14237651&BRD=1283&PAG=461&dept_id=158544&rfi=8

NORTON - A steering committee working to create an artisans network across Southwest Virginia heard local bluegrass artists, met in the historic Hotel Norton and toured local sites during a two-day retreat held here March 17-18.

The 21-member group includes artisans, tourism officials, business leaders, sustainable farmers and others. They aim to create a network for artisans in the region to showcase their work and promote economic development.

With $195,000 from the General Assembly, they will pattern themselves after the successful musical venue endeavor - The Crooked Road - a nine-site trail from Floyd to Clintwood that showcases musical artists and sites. Lenowisco Planning District Director Ron Flanary, a member of both the artisans board and The Crooked Road advisory board, urged the groups to work in tandem with each other. The artisans group passed a resolution agreeing to work closely with The Crooked Road board.

MISSION STATEMENT, DIRECTOR

Woody Crenshaw, chairman of the committee, is a successful artisan who operates a handmade light fixture plant in Floyd. He, along with facilitator Vicki Creed, led the group through the two-day retreat, which included adoption of a mission statement.

The approved statement reads: "The Southwest Virginia Artisans Network's mission is to promote the sustainable economic development of the region's communities by assisting local artisans with marketing, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities."

But it took a bit of debate and discussion to arrive at agreement. Some members wondered if that put too much focus on economic development over the individual artisans. Others said that was exactly what they wanted. Others wanted to know if they could revisit the mission statement in a year, or three years. Some suggested the group word the statement in a way they could live with for at least five years.

"Is this firm and finite? Or do we make do for now and have it be made more precise later?" Crenshaw asked.

Todd Christensen, a project manager with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, said there had been differing opinions at earlier meetings over economic development goals and that of promoting artisans and whether those goals were in conflict.

"There were some differing opinions but I believe we reached consensus previously," he said. "Others were heard out and consensus was still reached. The goal is for the network to create tourism opportunities in the region. We want to create opportunities, bed and breakfasts, farm experiences and to increase tourism by selling experiences in Southwest Virginia."

Anthony Flaccavento, executive director of Appalachian Sustainable Development, urged the group to accept the mission statement "as is" for now, knowing "it is a work in progress" that may change in the future.

The person hired to be the executive director should clearly understand that the job is to develop relationships with artists throughout the region, then work to boost economic development through marketing those artists, Flaccavento said.

A committee of members who interviewed candidates for the position wanted to discuss two candidates with the full committee. Flanary urged the committee members who had interviewed the candidates to make a decision. "You all are good, smart people and we could spend the rest of the day talking about it. I want you to roll with it and have the hiring committee make a decision."

But the hiring committee wanted the input of the full board, so the group met privately for about a half-hour. The committee agreed to offer the job to one of the candidates, but it was not known at press time whether the candidate had accepted. The job is a full-time state position, without benefits. The committee wants to have the position filled by May 1.

NAME, IDENTITY

The group agreed to incorporate under the name Southwest Virginia Artisans Council as a not-for-profit organization, but their working name is still to be decided. "Around the Mountain" is the working name of the group, but one not all the members agree on. Some think it reflects the group's heritage and geography. Others fear it will stereotype the group, that it sounds too country, too "hillbilly."

Penny Moseley of Chestnut Creek School in Galax suggested using The Crooked Road in the name of the artisans group, to tie the two together in the mind of the public.

Christensen urged against it. He said no other venues will be added to The Crooked Road and using that name in any way dilutes its effectiveness. If too many groups, organizations or venues are on the Crooked Road, it isn't special any more, he noted.

It is important that the groups work together and promote musical groups and artists in the region, he said. But using The Crooked Road would be discouraged by state government leaders, he said.

Crenshaw suggested the group e-mail suggestions to Joy Burton, a project manager with DHCD, who will post the suggestions for all to read. They will communicate by e-mail until April 1 to develop ideas for an alternate name, Crenshaw said. Flanary said the group could incorporate under one name and use another name in all public dealings.

The committee agreed to use the Southwest Virginia Artisans Network as its legal name to proceed with necessary paperwork.

If an alternate name is decided by the committee, DHCD will announce it in a news release to media in the region, the committee agreed.

The committee also wants to hold an arts competition for its logo. "But our name has to be adopted first," Crenshaw said.

The committee agreed to have DHCD send out a news release to media in the region once the name is decided, soliciting for arts entries for a logo for the group.