(Updated 4/23/2020) Below, we are providing a list of funding and support opportunities for artists. If you come across additional opportunities, let us know so we can include it in our list for our fellow artists. Relief and Assistance from the U.S. Government Due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, if your business has been affected by COVID-19, you can qualify for disaster relief assistance from the federal government. These funds are open to all businesses and nonprofits nationwide who have been affected by the pandemic. Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guarantees This low-interest loan/grant is available to small businesses only, including the self-employed, sole proprietors, freelancers, etc. The loan is designed to cover wages (payroll, 401k contribution, healthcare costs), mortgage interest/rent and utilities. The loan is forgivable (becomes a grant) as long as the recipient uses 75% of the funds toward those items within 8 weeks. You can apply at any SBA (7a) approved bank. Read more. Economic Injury Disaster Loans This low-interest loan program is available thru the SBA for businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The loan allows for a $10,000 advance within 3 days of application that will not have to be repaid. […]

“I was first introduced to felting in 1993 at an Augusta Heritage Center class with Beth Beede. It was love at first sight!”

Specializing in the restoration and sales of fine musical instruments.

We sat down on Brenda and Woody Harman’s porch out in Pocahontas County to interview them about their creative partnership, BrenWood Forge & Broom. Brenda is a broom-maker and Woody is a blacksmith. Come back here Thursday at 6pm to see the video portion of the interview. Check out their open studio coming September 14th and 15th! – http://www.madwv.com/event/open-studio-brenwood-forge-and-broom/2019-09-14/ How did both of you get started with your craft? Woody: I got started, I went to horseshoeing school in Michigan and a blacksmith out of Grenich Village. I worked with him in the evenings on the forges at the horseshoeing school. I was very rudimentary but it piqued my interest. When I was 26, I had cancer. While I was recovering from the cancer it was like, “Okay, you do not know if you are going live very long or not.” So, I decided to do more blacksmithing as to have a legacy left of my life and it would be here forever. You know? I did it as a hobbyist for the next 25 years and, when we moved down here to West Virginia, I retired from my day job. We moved down here. I just started wanting to […]

William Pounds interviews Ron Hinkle, a native West Virginian glass blower. You can find him at Ron Hinkle Glass south of Buckhannon. Here is a link to the video portion of the interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qswzbTRhaeE At the bottom of the page is a link to his MAD profile page. How did your workshop come to be? The beginning of me setting up for my own studio was probably back around 1984 and that is when I decided I wanted to do this. I knew it was a long term project. It is one of those things that you decide to do, and you know that you are not going to do it overnight. So, I began to collect my tools, began to read the books, and I began to build a building. I dug the footer for my building by hand. I saved up money and bought tin for the roof. I saved up money and had the blocks laid up partway one year and up to the square the next year. Finally, my dad and I skidded logs out of the woods with a farm tractor and traded logs to get lumber sawed. We built the second storey. All […]

Thank you to Dave Shombert, Bob Smakula, Sarah Fletcher, JoLynn Powers, Ron Hinkle, Kathryn Gillispie, and Brenda and Woody Harman for sitting down for interviews and photos! Dave Shombert and Sarah Fletchers’ interviews have already been released and you can find them here on our website or on our youtube page. All interviews will be released at 6pm on the days below. July 2nd – MAD Interview Series Trailer July 4th – Bob Smakula audio interview July 9th – JoLynn Powers photo and text interview July 11th – JoLynn Powers video interview July 16th – Ron Hinkle photo and text interview July 18th – Ron Hinkle video interview July 23rd – Kathryn Gillispie photo and text interview July 25th – Kathryn Gillispie video interview July 30th – BrenWood Forge and Broom photo and text interview August 1st – BrenWood Forge and Broom video interview BrenWood Forge and BroomJoLynn PowersKathryn GillispieBob Smakula

Sarah Fletcher is interviewed by our AFHA AmeriCorps member William Pounds about her history as a weaver, teaching and being taught, and traditional weaving. You can find the text/photo portion of the interview here – http://www.madwv.com/sarah-fletcher-interview/ Sarah Fletcher is the owner of Ben’s Old Loom Barn and weaves custom designs and teaches weaving. Sarah Fletcher is a MAD subscriber (under Ben’s Old Loom Barn). Her profile can be found here –http://www.madwv.com/item/bens-old-loom-barn

Dave Shombert talks with our Patrick Facemire about his woodturning methods, preferences in types of wood, the difference between craft and sculpture and much more. Check out the full interview on our Youtube channel! www.youtube.com/MAD Dave Shombert is a MAD subscriber. You can find his page at – http://www.madwv.com/item/dave-shombert/ He has a website you can find at – http://woodspunworkshop.com/ http://www.madwv.com/item/dave-shombert/

Bob Smakula is interviewed by our own Patrick Facemire on the topics of his father, pasteurized music, his entry into playing banjo, and other interesting topics. Smakula is the owner of Smakula Fretted Instruments and  makes and repairs instruments. Bob Smakula is a MAD subscriber (under Smakula Fretted Instruments). His profile can be found here – http://www.madwv.com/item/smakula-fretted-instruments/ You can also find him online at – http://www.smakula.com/ – and – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smakula-Fretted-Institute/223312208253061 Smakula Fretted Instruments

Click Here To Complete The Survey! This survey is for the benefit and use of Woodlands Development Group as well as Belington On Trac and Barbour County Development Authority. The survey will help local and regional artists and small business people voice their needs and wants for a new location to sell West Virginia Products in the Barbour County area. The Golden Rule (est. 1902) is a three story historic building on Crim Ave. that is under rehabilitation and redevelopment with hopes to open retail arts sales space on the main floor. The proposed plan is to create an artist style market with local and regional handmade and crafted items that support the small business and artist communities of the region. We want to hear from you! Click Here To Complete The Survey!

Artists at Work is a regional artists’ cooperative based in Elkins. With more than 20 producers, you can find jewelry, wood-turned bowls, pottery, paintings, baskets, cards, and more. The Co-op was founded in 1993 and has been operating for an impressive 24 years. This week in Parsons, they are beginning a rotating exhibition through the Citizens Bank lobbies. Check out the bank on your next trip through Tucker County. The store is open seven days a week and can be found right in downtown Elkins. Check out their page for more of their business information. Some of the artists you can find in Artists at Work include: Dave Shombert Anne Beardslee Don Hall Marjory Moses and Kate Harward

“Herbal Teas mountain women have brewed for generations.” Brightside Acres: West Virginia Wildgrown creates herbal teas that are handcrafted from the leaves, flowers, and roots of wild plants that thrive in Allegheny Mountain forest and meadow. Brightside Acres welcomes visitors by appointment for garden tours, herb walks, kitchen talks and more! You can find their teas in loose leaf and in individual tea bags at several locations in Pocahontas County. Check out their page (http://www.madwv.com/item/brightside-acres-west-virginia-wildgrown/) to see where. You can also order online at www.brightsideacres.com.

Our featured event this week is a new exhibit in the Arts Center Main Hall. June 2nd through July 7th, The Arts Center will be featuring art by Don Hall, T. M. Nicholas, David P. Curtis, and others. Opening Reception Friday, June 2nd, 5-7 p.m. The Arts Center is open 10-4 p.m. Don is one of the featured artists in the book 100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic. He is a member of Oil Painters of America, the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters’ Society, and Tamarack, the best of West Virginia. He is an artist member of the Tucson, Arizona Plein AIr Painters’ Association and the Randolph County Community Arts Center, Elkins WV. In the Maxwell Gallery, The Arts Center will be hosting Watercolor Dreams by Linda Walker Roberts from June 2nd through August 18th. Opening Reception Friday, June 2nd 5-7 p.m.

This week we are featuring Maggi Rhudy. Maggi will be displaying her art in the Citizens Bank of WV lobby in Elkins in the first month of this partnered project. ArtSpring, Inc. will also be displaying in the lobby of the Citizens Bank in Parsons. After immigrating to the USA from Germany, Maggi received a BA in Art,  and an MA in German Literature from the University of Toledo, Ohio, and she is certified to teach both subjects. Maggi has taught both German and art to students 5 years to 75 years old. “In Randolph County, where I have lived since 1984, I was ArtsBank Teaching Artist and also ArtsBank Coordinator, Elementary Art teacher, and for seven years taught art at Elkins High School until I retired in 2005.I am now active as an artist and occasional art teacher, as well as volunteer for ArtsBank and the Randolph County Community Arts Center.  I love including nature in my artwork, as subject matter or as natural materials I use to make my artwork.” Check out Maggi’s work anytime this month during Citizen’s Bank lobby hours – see their sponsor page for details: www.madwv.com/item/citizens-bank-of-west-virginia/ And see her page for more of her work and […]

This week we are featuring a night of Appalachian music and poetry at The Arts Center in Elkins. This is your last opportunity to join them in celebrating National Poetry Month! Poet Laureate of WV, Marc Harshman will be at The Arts Center, along with Doug Van Gundy. The cost of the event is $10; seniors and students are $5. Event details at http://www.madwv.com/event/appalachian-music-poetry-week-4/ While I listen they sing over and over echoing — a thousand tiny, throaty bells tuned each to the other with non-stop stuttering – so many, so close, and yet not one to be seen where they sing and sing in the green dark of spring. March Peepers, Marc Harshman

We’re spotlighting Smakula Fretted Instruments this week. Smakula Fretted Instruments has been located near Elkins in Randolph County, WV, since 1989. This small independent business specializes in the restoration and sales of fine musical instruments including banjos, guitars, mandolins, and members of the violin family. The Smakula Fretted Instruments team of restoration artisans are not only four talented craftsmen, they are also prize-winning Old Time Stringband musicians who can organize a square dance at almost any time. The Smakula Fretted Instrument shop is located 5 miles north of Elkins, WV. Your call for an appointment to have a restoration consultation, or to view their vintage instrument inventory is always welcome. Check out their full page for more info and photos at: http://www.madwv.com/item/smakula-fretted-instruments/

Mountain Arts District is partnering with Citizens Bank to begin rotating, ongoing exhibitions in the lobbies of their five branches (Elkins, Beverly, Parsons, Buckhannon, and Snowshoe). Displays can include music in addition to physical art pieces. Artists are able to perform, demonstrate, or show-and-tell in addition to a standard display, please let us know if you are interested – we need to know as soon as possible. Register Here MAD subscriber organizations, Businesses, and Co-ops are able to display any artist(s) that is a part of their organization even if they not necessarily a subscriber with Mountain Arts District. Once we know who is willing and able to provide art for display, we’ll work out a location and display schedule according to your preferences. Citizens Bank will not be able to sell directly, but Mountain Arts District can provide price tags and contact information. If you have any questions, please contact us at mtnartsdistrict@gmail.com

The historic Buxton & Landstreet Building, built in 1901, was originally the company store for the Davis Coal and Coke Co. Today, the Buxton & Landstreet is home to two galleries, private and public artist studios, and the Vandalia Center for the Arts. In the spring and summer, resident artists present a variety of classes in the public studios. Our public studios have equipment and supplies for textile work, stained glass, ceramics, jewelry making, painting, drawing, bookbinding, printmaking, and papermaking. The Buxton & Landstreet is also available for event rentals and community meetings. See their page (Buxton & Landstreet Gallery & Studios) for contact information, location, and business hours.

Our featured artist this week is another creative from Pocahontas Co. – Liz Sutton. Liz is a multi-talented artist who does jewelry, photography, soaps, candles, herbal creations. Liz signed up for our $10 package, a cheap, very affordable way to see what Mountain Arts District can do for your business. Check out her page and if you’re interested in her work contact her by hitting the “contact owner” button. That sends an email straight to Liz. Liz Sutton

This week, our featured event is a fundraiser for the ArtSpring festival at Whitegrass Ski Resort on March 2nd. Arts, fellowship, and wonderful food! Tickets to the event are $50 dollars. $22.5 dollars goes to ArtSpring, $22.5 goes to Whitegrass, and $5 goes to the waitstaff. The meal will be centered around Indian cuisine and a silent auction will be held. If you would like to have a place reserved please email ArtSpring at: artspringwv@gmail.com. This will be the seventh year ArtSpring has held a festival on Memorial Day weekend. Come out and support the ArtSpring organization as we continue to provide artists with opportunities to share their work with the larger community. See our calendar for more events.