Congratulations to Lori McKinney and the Create Mercer County team!
Mercer County Designated Certified Arts Community by Division of Culture & History
The West Virginia Commission on the Arts voted recently to name Mercer County one of five Certified Arts Communities in the state. President of the Commission Susan Landis said she is excited that artists and arts organizations in the county are working together. The designation is for communities that reap the benefit of high-level cooperation in town and county leadership.
Former Commissioner of Culture and History Troy Body established the certification program in mid November 2005. The designation offers no monetary compensation but allows a community to develop signage and other promotional measures. The certification requires indication of arts activity in several areas. "The Mercer County Commission submitted the request; they were very cooperative and enthusiastic," said Lori McKinney who led the charge for Mercer County. Two resolutions in the past year by the County Commission have recognized the value of the arts in our community, and the great potential of collaboration among artists and arts organizations. The application highlighted some outstanding arts programs in our schools, long-standing arts programs and our growing new arts landscape around the county. A cornerstone of the criteria is the recent growth or establishment of an arts council, and the newly formed county-wide arts alliance All Together Arts met that criteria.
“An important factor for us is uniting the arts community here in Mercer County,” McKinney said. “Too often factions of people are pitted in competition against one another. It’s senseless because most of the time, cooperation can lead the entire lot of us to prosper. Dividing ourselves actually holds us back. United we stand, of course." Some may wish that Bluefield had won the award or Princeton, but the truth is that neither of the towns could have stood on their own and met all the criteria. Only as a united body- Mercer County- was the application full and impressive enough to win the distinction. "Plus," she said, "that’s the way it should be. Our slogan for A.T.A.W. is The arts (and life) are better when we all come together.”
Pete Sternloff of the Bluefield City Council and Gary Bowling's House of Art said that the arts have brought all of Mercer County together in the creative process, and he is thrilled that All Together Arts Week is set to be a time we celebrate each year as the arts movement unfolds.
With long standing traditions like Blue Mountain Performing Arts, the 2nd longest concert promoter of its type on the east coast, the 43 year run of the Summit Players community theatre, the award winning Madrigal Singers, high school bands and dance studios, Mercer County’s arts history runs deep. With the new energy of the Chuck Mathena Center for the Performing Arts, the Appalachian Highlands Music Association, Gary Bowling’s House of Art, The RiffRaff Arts Collective, Windhorse Healing Arts Association are more, new life is springing up all around. There are scores of unique arts businesses like The Bronze Look Gallery, the Lil’ Opry, Bluetop Bluegrass and Mountain Man Music Barn. There are outstanding professional photographers like Associated, Coleman and Brainerd Gallery and creative eateries like Heritage Cafe and Sugar Shak offer culinary arts. We have numerous private music educators and some world renowned fine artists living and working in the county. There are outstanding arts teachers in our schools and a vast landscape of arts activity that often goes overlooked.
Many of the aforementioned organizations will have tables at the Kickoff event of All Together Arts Week at the Brushfork Armory on March 27th. If you would like to find out more about any of these programs, you may visit between noon and 6 p.m. There will be displays, performances and activities all day.
It is thrilling to many that Mercer County is one of only five certified in the state so far. McKinney said, "Our leaders are forward thinking enough to embrace this arts influx, and if they continue to do so and the business community follows, Mercer County will be a leader in new economy growth."
Commission President Landis said that the arts are a real economic driver, not just "extra" and should be considered "part and parcel" for local economies. "Arts & Economic Prosperity," a study released by Americans for the Arts, said "from major metropolitan areas to small rural towns, this research shows that the ... arts and culture industry is an economically sound investment. It attracts audiences, spurs business development, supports jobs, and generates government revenue. Locally as well as nationally, the arts mean business."
Louise M. Slaughter, U.S. House of Representatives (NY), said "Across America, cities that once struggled economically are reinventing themselves by investing in art and culture- a proven catalyst for growth and economic prosperity. By creating cultural hubs,... arts businesses help cities define themselves, draw tourists, and attract investment. Support for cultural organizations must go on if we hope to continue enjoying the substantial benefits they bring."
Find out more about the Commission on the Arts, part of the WV Division of Culture & History, at www.wvculture.org and more about Mercer County Arts at www.alltogetherarts.com.
For more information, contact Lori McKinney at 304-425-6425.
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