Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia

Sue Shelor, Lost Arts Guild Member

On Monday, May 19, I traveled to Abingdon, Virginia, with a fellow member of Patrick County's Tourism Advisory Council to attent the Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia conference. Sponsored by several partners, including The Crooked Road and 'Round the Mountain, the conference covered subjects such as community development and revitalizing local economies by using less traditional methods. At least, that's how it was put. By traditional they meant factories, manufacturing and economic trends of the last fifty or sixty years. But the thought occurred to me that the "new" economies we talked about, featuring artisans and farming, are going back to the real traditions of Southwest Virginia.

Because Lost Arts Guild member and spinner Linda Wright is dealing with a critical illness in her family and was unable to demonstrate, I was asked to take her place in the Artisan's Marketplace. Since this was for only a short period during the day, I was able to participate in all of the sessions. It was a lively day, filled with music, interesting discussions, films and slideshows. The featured presentation by 'Round the Mountain included a film showing our own Sandra Bennett spinning on her beautiful farm in Tazewell County and talking about the planned community loop trails and Artisan Center. Sue Shelor was also asked to demonstrate her gourd art, and several woodworkers, a weaver, a basketmaker, dulcimer maker and stained glass artist all participated as we..

Demonstrations at Welcome Center

Sue Shelor of Mountain Meadow Crafts

Two Lost Arts Guild members traveled to one of the Virginia Welcome Centers to take part in promoting their county by demonstating their crafts to travelers. Below are excerpts from the press release:

On Thursday, April 17, 2008, a group of Patrick County tourism professionals traveled to the I-77 Virginia Welcome Center at Lambsburg to promote their businesses and Patrick County. Among those involved in this event were four Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) members, the Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and five members of the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Trust, Inc. Also involved were members of the business community that included retail establishments and bed-and-breakfast inns.

Leslie Shelor of Greenberry House

Patrick County's artisan community was also well-represented during the event. Charlotte Gardner, TAC president, represented Bull Mountain Arts with a display of artisans' work and with a quilting demonstration. Sue Shelor, of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market, demonstrated gourd art and gave out brochures about her business, corn maze and festivals through the season. She also promoted the Crooked Road by giving out free demo CDs and brochures. Leslie Shelor, TAC member and owner of Greenberry House, dressed in period costume and demonstrated hand spinning to appreciative travelers and gave out Patrick County brochures and business cards.

Over 900 travelers and visitors to Virginia were greeted by the Patrick County group. Travelers from as far away as Quebec, Canada, Ohio, and Indiana, many of them frequent visitors to Virginia, were impressed with the presentations made by the Patrick Countians. One woman commented, "Of course we'll visit Patrick County! You are all so friendly!" Others left with stacks of brochures given out by the group and asked many questions about the events, businesses and scenic attractions available in the county. The tourism professionals that took advantage of this opportunity felt that their time was well-spent and that many of the people that they talked with would be visiting Patrick County in the future.

The Virginia Welcome Centers are operated by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and offer free demonstration opportunities to Virginia organizations and businesses. For more information visit http://www.vatc.org/.

The Season Has Begun!

It is such an honor to belong to the Lost Arts Guild! It was great to see what Larry wrote about Sheep Shearing Day; I hope I can make it next year! Sandra must be exhausted after all her hard work on the day at the farm. I hope the day was a great success!


I'm looking forward to seeing what the other artisans in the guild write here; they are such talented people! I'm a gourd artist and have been selling my work at festivals, shows and other venues for five years. I joined Lost Arts Guild last year and have really been pleased with the rewards!

In late summer of 2007 I opened my shop, Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market. Our theme is "Uniting Southwestern Virginia's Artisans and Craftsmen With Local Heritage Farmers to Preserve the Traditions of Days Gone By". Some wonderful artisans are represented here using different mediums to showcase their many talents.

This coming week, on Thursday, I'll be at the Lambsburg Welcome Center on Route 77 with some other Patrick County business people. Among the many folks going along is fellow Lost Arts Guild member Leslie Shelor of Greenberry House. I'll be demonstrating my gourd art and talking about the shop and our corn maze. Our goal is to promote the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia and Patrick County. Virginia Tourism Corporation offers any Virginia business the opportunity to promote their business or interests free at any of the ten Virginia Welcome Centers.