January 3, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenna Wagner
PR & Marketing Director
Friends of Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation
(276) 492-2400
marketing@friendsofswva.org
THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CULTURAL CENTER & MARKETPLACE KICKS OFF 2020 WITH NEW ART EXHIBIT FEATURING ‘ROUND THE MOUNTAIN ARTISANS
ABINGDON, VA – The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, located in Abingdon, VA opened a new art exhibit today. The exhibit features artwork of the eight newest juried members of ‘Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network (RTM). The SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace is home to over 200 juried artisans 
- Amanda Griffin (Griffin Entwined) of Galax, Virginia – Jewelry
- 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 Hilton of Vansant, Virginia – Metal
- Teresa Kath of Bristol, Virginia – 2D: Painting
- Sarah Rouse of Abingdon, Virginia – Fiber: Macrame
In addition, as we embark on a new year and cooler temperatures, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is adjusting its hours until the Spring. Beginning January of 2020, the SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace will be open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Sundays. The Center continues extended hours on Thursdays until 9:00 PM for the region’s popular Crooked Road Jam Night. 
The SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace is located at 1 Heartwood Circle in Abingdon, VA. just off of I-81 Exit 14. For more information, call 276-492-2400 or visit www.SWVACulturalCenter.com
For more information on ‘Round the Mountain visit https://roundthemountain.org.
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Contact:
For more information, please contact Jenna Wagner with Friends of Southwest Virginia (276-492-2400). For more information and to stay up-to-date, subscribe to the Friends of Southwest Virginia Partner Newsletter and “Like” Friends of Southwest Virginia on Facebook.
About the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace:
Your welcome mat to this vibrant region, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace {formerly Heartwood} is a 29,000 square foot center that introduces Southwest Virginia (SWVA) to the world and serves as a visitor center, retail center for local crafts, music venue and community space.
- Discover our marketplace: a soaring space retailing the art and craft of over 180 artisans from Southwest Virginia who have been juried by fellow artisans. From traditional pottery and quilting to modern paintings and glasswork, you’ll learn the stories of our traditional art and explore over 5,000 pieces for sale. Two spaces feature rotating exhibits that showcase the best of Southwest Virginia’s masterpiece artisan network.
- Explore our visitor center: from a centerpiece hand carved wooden map weaving the stories of 19 counties and four cities, you’ll discover the hidden backroads and undiscovered treasures of Appalachia waiting to welcome you warmly.
- Indulge in our cafe: Sourcing 85% of all products from the region, the SWVA Cafe and Mountain Brew Bar serves up homemade fare representative of the region. Take a break a sip on over 25 different award-winning regional wines and beers.
- Listen to the sounds of a region: Experience the birthplace of American Country music at the headquarters of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Daily, you can view over 10 videos in our experiential theatre, pick away the day on our traditional porch stage, or learn the stories of music throughout the region through rotating displays. Every Thursday night and several other nights a week, live music takes the center stage and showcases the traditional and mountain music of the region.
About Southwest Virginia:
Tucked in the mountains of Southwest Virginia is a vibrant culture of music, craft and stunning natural beauty. It’s a region of spectacular views and rich natural resources. Time spent in the region adds up to something much more than a simple getaway. A different side of Virginia. And a great place to visit for a week’s vacation – or to make a home for a lifetime. Authentic. Distinctive. Alive.
About the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation and Friends of Southwest Virginia:
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation is the coordinating body for cultural heritage tourism and economic development efforts fostering Southwest Virginia’s creative economy. Through a supporting non-profit, the Friends of Southwest Virginia, the combined entities help localities, businesses, individuals, artists, nonprofits and entrepreneurs mobilize and succeed.
A multifaceted plan identifies the cultural and natural assets of the region; coordinates initiatives, organizations and venues engaged in cultural and natural heritage toward more efficient operations for all partner organizations; and develops a comprehensive strategy and capital improvements plan to maximize the impact of state investments in this significant restructuring effort.
Key initiatives include:
- Branding and marketing Southwest Virginia to the world as a distinct culture and destination
- Developing and sustaining the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace
- Expanding outdoor recreation development initiatives and marketing throughout the region
- Planning and implementation of downtown revitalization throughout the region to instill a high quality of life within our communities and promote them to the world for a broad spectrum of economic development opportunities
Learn More About the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation and Friends of Southwest Virginia
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