Welcome

Welcome to the January 2020 Friends Connection Newsletter – a newsletter designed to keep you connected with everything – or just about everything – that is underway with the following entities:

• Southwest Virginia 
• Friends of Southwest Virginia
• The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation
• ‘Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network
• Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace 
• The Crooked Road

We are excited to keep you in the loop on all our programs in the 19 counties, 4 cities, and 53 towns of Southwest Virginia!

You’ll find contact information for the team throughout this newsletter and here: https://friendsofswva.org/about/staff-members/

Let us know how we can assist you! Thanks for being a ‘friend’ of Southwest Virginia!

Chris Cannon
Executive Director
Friends of Southwest Virginia  |  Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation
‘Round the Mountain  |  Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace

Marketing

The #SWVA marketing team has two goals: Tell the rest of the world that Southwest Virginia is the most vibrant, beautiful place on earth that’s ready and eager to host visitors from around the world, while also reminding the locals of SWVA that we’ve got the world’s most incredible front and backyard throughout these 19 counties, 4 cities and 53 towns! 

• Recent Press Releases & Media Coverage
  • Be sure to check out recent press releases from Friends of Southwest Virginia
    • SWVA Cultural Center Kicks Off 2020 with New Art Exhibit
• SWVA Comprehensive Marketing Plan / SWVA Marketing Investment Program
  Friends of SWVA marketing efforts are ongoing and the comprehensive marketing plan has been updated to reflect the addition of marketing goals for The Crooked Road. The new Marketing Investment Program is set to launch at the beginning of March. If you have questions about either program, reach out to Jenna.
• Website Platform Update
  The Friends of Southwest Virginia marketing staff has been working on internal alignment of our programs, which includes a reset of our digital platform. We are working with Stellar Studios out of Johnson City on updates to functionality, design and content. The enhanced platform will be live on February 1, 2020! If you have questions, concerns, or specific issues, reach out to Jenna.
• SWVA Storytellers and Content Planning
  The “SWVA Storytellers” consist of six writers, photographers and videographers journeying throughout the 19 county, four city footprint of Southwest Virginia discovering the region’s untold treasures. The storytellers are currently producing content packages about unique people, businesses, attractions, hidden destinations, and more throughout the region. The stories of the region will be cataloged at  https://visitswva.org starting in February 2020 to promote Spring travel throughout the region, and continue throughout the year. These stories will be marketed to the world to showcase the authentic and distinctive culture of Southwest Virginia. We need your help identifying the hidden stories of authentic people and places. If you have an idea to pitch, send an email to Marketing@FriendsofSWVA.org and include as much information as possible! We’ll follow up if one of the Storytellers can craft a unique story around your pitch! 

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Jenna Wagner at jwagner@FriendsOfSWVA.org 

Cultural Heritage Program Updates

‘Round the Mountain: Arts & Craft

‘Round the Mountain’s Arts & Craft programs work to build resources and opportunities for practicing artisans across the region to advance their craft and benefit the regional creative economy. 

• Membership
  • ‘Round the Mountain is a membership based network of artisans throughout the Southwest Virginia region that works to advance the artisan economy. To learn more about artisan membership, visit: https://roundthemountain.org/register/
  • Current Artisan Membership – 246
  • Current Business Membership – 50
• As we start a new year, we are looking forward to working with artisans in 2020. Be on the lookout for more opportunities to get involved with ‘Round the Mountain and the SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace, as we prepare for traveling season. Our member website and the private Facebook group for members is the quickest and easiest way to stay up-to-date on all of the happenings with ‘Round the Mountain and your fellow members.
• Stop by the SWVA Cultural Center to see the newly juried artisans’ work on exhibit. This display highlights these members and tells their unique stories:
  • Amanda Griffin (Griffin Entwined) of Galax, Virginia – Jewelry. See Amanda Griffin featured on WJHL Daytime Tri-Cities here!
  • William Clower of Woodlawn, Virginia – Wood
  • James Elmore (student member) of Abingdon, Virginia – 2D: Photography
  • Charlotte Farris of Marion, Virginia: Fiber
  • Henri T. de Hahn (Hahn Art & Design) of Christiansburg, Virginia: Wood
  • Isaac Hylton of Vansant, Virginia – Metal
  • Teresa Kath of Bristol, Virginia – 2D: Painting
  • Sarah Rouse of Abingdon, Virginia – Fiber: Macrame
• Winter Hours at the SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace
  The SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace will be adjusting operating hours slightly to accommodate the winter season. Hours information is included below:
  Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  Thursday: Additional Hours 6:00 – 9:00 PM
  Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

For more information on ‘Round the Mountain’s programs and initiatives, reach out to Chris Cannon at ccannon@FriendsofSWVA.org

‘Round the Mountain: Culinary & Agritourism

‘Round the Mountain’s Culinary & Agritourism programs work to advance the culinary and agritourism economy of the region through expanded use and knowledge of our local food systems.

• Chef Charles Parker and Dirk Moore have partnered-up to bring canning classes back to the Southwest Virginia Cultural  Center and Marketplace in full-force. They have developed hands-on canning classes to be held every other month, beginning in February.  The attendees of the classes will learn a little culinary history and heritage, as well as make their own product, and take home what they’ve made!  Each class will be lead by either Charles, Dirk, or a local “canning expert”. The first class of the year, in February, will be lead by Sandy Stoneman, REHS, CP-FS.  Sandy is Washington County’s “Area Food Safety Extension Agent”, through the Virginia Cooperative Extension. She will inform the class about the rules and regulations for “everyday people” to be able to make and sell their canned goods.  Below is the tentative schedule:
  • February – Sandy Stoneman
  • April – Strawberry Salsa
  • June – Blueberry Jam
  • August – Tomatoes
  • October – Apple Butter
  • December – Sauerkraut
• Charles has also been working on reviving “Cooking Along The Crooked Road”, a culinary training program that was originally housed at the Higher Education Center in Abingdon.  This program will invite the public to the kitchens at the SWVA Cultural Center and Marketplace, and will have local chefs teach a hands-on culinary class, on the first Monday of each month.  These classes will begin on March 2nd of this year. The full class schedule, along with the local chef instructors and the theme for each class, will be posted in next month’s newsletter, so stay tuned!

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Chef Charles Parker at cparker@FriendsOfSWVA.org 

Cultural Center Update

Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is the gateway to Southwest Virginia’s rich culture and creative economy. Here you can see the work of regional artisans and musicians and find out about Southwest Virginia’s history, heritage, outdoor recreation and scenic beauty via stories and first-person narratives. But it’s much more than a visitor and sales center. It’s the introduction in our effort to build a regional economy focused on our cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Marketplace

• Stop by the SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace to see our new exhibit featuring our Autumn 2019 jury participants! Eight new artist’s works including quilting, photography, woodwork, jewelry, and more will be on display through March.
• Need to replenish your inventory? Our art pick-up program can save you some time and travel. Drop off your work at any of the following locations for pick-up by our staff:
             – Big Stone Gap Visitor Center – Big Stone Gap
             – The Lost Pearl Gallery – Tazewell
             – Reynolds Homestead – Critz
             – The Maggie Gallery – Floyd
• 2020 pick-up dates will be the 1st of March, June, September, and December at each location.
• The 2020 event and exhibit schedule is coming soon! Keep an eye out for these announcements in the ‘Round the Mountain newsletter!
• Congratulations to our Artisans of the Week for the past month!
  Ron & Susan Sutterer
  Julie Powell
  Norma Robinson
  Sarah Rouse
  Henri de Hahn

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Jamee Gillespie at jgillespie@FriendsofSWVA.org 

SWVA Cafe & Mountain Brew Bar

• The SWVA Cafe has recently partnered with Tumbling Creek Cidery.  On January 8, 2020 Gwyn Hill (Cafe Manage) and Krystal Mosley (Operations Manager) traveled to Meadowview to visit the cidery and farm for a tour and tasting.  The cidery prides itself on their from-scratch approach to cider making. They press 100% of their juice, allowing them to control their craft. Their apples are sourced from the “backyard” of Southwest Virginia. This is cider from and for the people and friends of their southern Appalachian home. Tumbling Creek Cider uses heritage cider varieties, with flavors reminiscent of America’s cider legacy, while using a modern approach to finishing. The Cafe will be selling the cider two ways, on tap and for retail purchase.
• The SWVA Cafe will be taking inventory during these slower months to regroup and establish new partnerships with farmers, growers, and producers, as well as, ensuring that we are taking care of our existing partnerships and giving them all some time in the spotlight.

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Gwyn Hill at ghill@FriendsOfSWVA.org

Visitors Center

• Visitors Center Staff has welcomed and introduced numerous groups and buses from all areas of the country not only to our facility, but to everything Southwest Virginia has to offer. We were thrilled to pass along information about our region to travelers from Louisiana, Ohio, Florida, and Michigan amongst others over the last two months.

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Logan Hardesty lhardesty@FriendsOfSWVA.org

Special Events

• The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is excited to announce the Cooking Along The Crooked Road series. Classes will kick off the first Monday of March. Stay tuned for all the delicious details.
• Don’t forget, you can experience live traditional and mountain music native to SWVA each Thursday for FREE from 6:00 –  9:00 PM!
  
• Our 2020 brunch schedule is sure to delight.   Stay tuned for all those delicious details.
• The wildly popular 2nd Tuesday Jazz Lunch hosted by the Southwest Virginia Community College Jazz Band has returned! Don’t miss the next free concert on the 2nd Tuesday of January!

Learn more about our upcoming events here » https://swvaculturalcenter.com/our-events/ 

Private Events

• Events are quickly filling up for the reminder of the 2020 event calendar. We would love to have the opportunity to work with you on your event.   
• Gatherings at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace can be as intimate or as grand as your heart desires.  Creating memories are the essence of a truly inspired gathering. Our team of talented event professionals are at the heart of each detailed moment.  Allow us to create a personalized event story for you and your loved ones to unfold. Crafting your authentic Southwest Virginia event experience through locally sourced vendors is truly a passion. We look forward to bringing your special moments at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace to life. 
• Group experiences are quickly becoming popular. Those include Artisan demos/classes, Appalachian Cooking demos/classes, Square Dancing, and Storytelling to name a few.  Gather your friends and book a group experience today!

For more information on the above programs and initiatives, reach out to Leah Kidd at lkidd@FriendsOfSWVA.org