Executive Director's Letter
Often, when we think of the organizations to which we belong, we think of the physical environments - their office structures, the products they manufacture or sell, the space they occupy. For the Tamarack Foundation, that way of thinking can be challenging. It's true that we have an office at the West Virginia Parkways Authority Office and we are fortunate to have space at Mountain State University and Tamarack in Beckley. But, we are in many more places than that.
Our business takes us into the studios and homes of hundreds of artists and artisans around the state. Our efforts reach into shops, galleries and stores in West Virginia and beyond. We are a small staff with an expansive network of business contacts and our services are ever changing, dependent on the needs of our clients.
We cast a wide net and, over the past several months, we've found that net is filled with wonderful friends and associates who have helped us as we define our space for those from whom we need support.
I am glad to say that we have been very successful this spring.
The Tamarack Foundation has received partial funding in this year's budget approved by the West Virginia Legislature through the West Virginia Department of Commerce. We will use this money for operations and as the foundation for aggressive and innovative grant requests. Over the next year, you will see us reaching out to traditional arts and small business resources for support and you will see us looking at new avenues - working with West Virginia businesses to build a bridge between our state's small business entrepreneurs and traditional businesses.
Our annual Foundation Gala was successful in that we raised a net of more than $60,000 and we showcased our artists and artisans to more than 225 guests at the Tamarack Conference Center in Beckley. Please be sure to check out the video link below that recounts former WV Governor Gaston Caperton's dream for creating Tamarack. It is exciting to know that his dream (along with many others) came to fruition and that in 2011 Tamarack celebrates its 15th birthday!
We have a busy year ahead of us. Challenged to focus on maintaining strong professional services for our artists and artisans, to develop long-lasting funding sources and to showcase the fine work of West Virginia artists and artisans entrepreneurs.
I believe we're up to the challenge. I appreciate the help that you have given us and I ask that you will continue to provide your support for our work as we move forward. Please consider making a one-time or on-going contribution by visiting our website at www.tamarackwv.com/foundation.
I hope that soon, the Tamarack Foundation will be known for its contributions statewide and that our physical location will be everywhere a West Virginia artist and artisan builds the business they always dreamed of running!
In closing, I want to leave you with the following thought by Mary Morrissey.
To Your Creative Process
"Knowingly or unknowingly, we exercise the power to produce thoughts, which in turn produce results. This creative process works day and night; it doesn’t sleep until the idea has been completed. We cannot picture thoughts of poverty and expect in return wealth. It cannot be done, anymore than a photographer can take a picture of a house and then produce a picture of an ocean. It's your creative process. Produce the thoughts that, in turn, produce the results you want."
All the best!
Sally Barton
Executive Director
April 2011 Foundation Gala
Hats off to the Arts - and to everyone who made it a success!
The seventh annual Tamarack Foundation Artisan Gala was a tremendous success! More than 225 guests attended the event and more than $60,000 was raised to benefit the Foundation's mission of creating and enhancing business opportunities for West Virginia's artisan entrepreneurs.
"Our theme this year was also a tip of the hat to our supporters, volunteers and artisans," said Sally Barton, executive director for the Tamarack Foundation. "Our sponsors recognize the creativity that our organization celebrates and they provide tremendous funding and enthusiasm for our cause."
This year actor/director Chris Sarandon, a West Virginia native, served as the honorary chair of the gala and the guest list was impressive. It included former West Virginia governor Gaston Caperton.
"Through the heartfelt remarks of both Chris and former governor Caperton, our guests were treated to intimate views of what these nationally-recognized men think about what it means to be a West Virginian and how proud they are of the unique value of the Tamarack project," Barton said. To hear an excerpt of their remarks, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16HQ-Nw3dyQ
Guests at the Gala had the opportunity to learn what first-hand experiences mean as well. Personal portraits of West Virginia artisans were shared through a story crafted by Tamarack juried writer, Colleen Anderson and scripted by Gene Worthington and Karen Vuranch. The testimonials of artisans Sue Jennings, Robby Moore and Jamey Biggs were interwoven to explain the value and importance of the unique mission of the Tamarack Foundation.
"The elegant decorations and wonderful food for the dine-around would not have come together without the support of the volunteer Gala Committee and Tamarack staff, " Barton said. "We owe a big thank you to them for their creative ideas, hard work and enthusiasm. We especially want to acknowledge Tamarack Conference Center Executive Chef Jamie Henderson and his staff for a delicious meal." (Click here to see photos from the Gala!)
"A goal of the event was to create a personal experience for our guests. The guest art canvas was a hit. Many of our guests took a paintbrush into their hands for the first time since childhood. Under the guidance of professional fine artists, a masterpiece was created that sold during high and lively bidding in the live auction," Barton said.
Sponsors
The Tamarack Foundation's annual gala is successful thanks to the continuing support of sponsors from around the state. These are the sponsors for the 2011 gala.
Special Benefactors
Gaston Caperton
Raleigh County Commission
Mountain State University
Stonewall Marketing Group
Artisan Sponsors
HNTB
Mabscott Supply
Phillips Machine Services
Spilman Thomas and Battle
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Apprentice Sponsors
Abrams & Byron
Dickirson Charitable Fund of Our Community's Foundation
United Bank
Patron Sponsor
Cela Burge and John Burdiss
BB&T
Buzz Products, Inc.
Huntington Bank
P. M. Terminals, Inc.
Scott & Stringfellow
Friend
Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love
Crichton Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors
Mr. & Mrs. Walter B. Dial, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Rudy DiTrapano
WV Living magazine
NIP Tax Credits
You may be eligible for tax credits
The Tamarack Foundation has $7,644.00 remaining in West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program tax credits that it can distribute by June 30 to individuals and businesses for qualifying contributions to the Foundation.
"The purpose of NIP is to increase charitable giving to West Virginia programs that depend on philanthropy to meet their missions by allowing us to apply for tax credit vouchers that we can distribute to generous businesses and individuals whose contributions meet the program standards," Sally Barton said. "In turn, those businesses and individuals earn credits to reduce liability for the Corporate Net Income Tax, the Business Franchise Tax or Personal Income Tax."
Barton said that contributions can be made in cash, personal property, real estate, stock and designated in-kind professional services. The minimum eligible donation is $500. Credits must be distributed by June 30, 2011 or they are returned. It is vital the Foundation leverage this incentive so we can qualify for future allocations.
NIP adds another dimension to charitable contributions to organizations such as the Tamarack Foundation that offer services to help build and strengthen West Virginia communities, Barton said. "Arts, education, health and community service organizations whose purposes are based on improving communities benefit from this tax credit," she said. "The Tamarack Foundation includes all of these components in its mission and programs."
If you are considering making a contribution to the Foundation, please contact Sally Barton at 304-926-3770 to learn if you can take advantage of the available NIP tax credits.
For more information about the facts of the program, see the Quick Facts on the Tamarack Foundation Web site at (www.Tamarackwv.com/Foundation).
New Juried Artisans
Tamarack Foundation welcomes new juried artisans
During the spring jurying session on March 31, several West Virginia artisans and artists joined the ranks of our state's juried community when they completed the jurying process and were accepted as Tamarack Juried Artisans.
"These artisans have demonstrated their commitment to their art and to professional development through their efforts to become juried," Ron DeWitt, Tamarack Foundation Program Director said. "They will now be eligible to showcase their work at Tamarack and to receive additional ongoing support from the Foundation for professional services and resources."
New juried artisans
Rebecca Adkins, Cabell County, fine art
Colleen Anderson, Kanawha County, note cards
Raven Baldwin, Raleigh County, jewelry
Jacob Bucy, Wetzel County, fine art
Karen Chamblin, Pleasants County, fine art
John Coffey, Mercer County, fine art
Barbara Hale, Mercer County, fine art
Becky Henderson, Tucker County, candles
Jacqueline Henderson, Marion County, bath & body
Reed Krack, Calhoun County, musical instrument
Sheila Maxey, Braxton County, basketry
Toni McCall, Raleigh County, jewelry
Doug McGrew, Jackson County, wood
Jonna Melton, Lewis County, textiles
Zachary Orcutt, Wood County, ceramics
Anna Richmond, Raleigh County, fine art
Vickie Toney, Fayette County, candle melts
Israel Ison Umberger, Putnam County, fine art
Emma Watson, Kanawha County, fine craft
Mike Winland, Kanawha County, photography
Artisan Awards Become More Popular
In the past few years, more and more businesses and organizations are recognizing the creativity of West Virginia's artists and artisans for designing unique presentation awards.
This growing interest was demonstrated at the 2010 Small Business Administration awards luncheon. Judy McCauley, SBA director, expressed her desire to have future awards designed and made by West Virginia artisans.
Tamarack Foundation staff solicited proposals from ten Tamarack artisans, based on the interests of several SBA employees. Proposals were received from artisans who worked in wood, glass, metal, pottery and mixed media.
At the same time, the Women's Business Center, which hosted the SBA awards celebration, also expressed an interest in having West Virginia artisans create their awards for Woman Owned Business and Friend of Business for 11 counties in Southern West Virginia.
John DesMeules, glass artist from Eleanor, Putnam County, and future resident glass artist at Tamarack, was selected to create the 22 awards presented at luncheons during April 6-8, 2011. John was also selected to design and create the awards for the 2011 SBA awards that were presented to outstanding small business owners and businesses from throughout West Virginia at the awards luncheon held at Tamarack on May 3, 2011.
Regional SBA awards designed and created by West Virginia artisans, which are presented in Philadelphia, Pa., will be considered for 2012.
If you are an artisan who would like to be considered for these opportunities or a business owner who would like to know more about having a specialized arts award designed for your organization, please contact Ron DeWitt, Tamarack Artisan Services Director at 1-88-TAMARACK or e-mail rdewitt@tamarackwv.com.
Building a Small Business Community
Tamarack Foundation Executive Director Sally Barton is serving as a board member for Leadership West Virginia and is serving on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee. Along with representatives from both organizations, she is working to create a bigger voice for small businesses in West Virginia.
One of the projects she is working on with the Small Business Committee is a survey. The goal of the project is to build an aggregate database of small businesses that can be used to show the size and impact of small business on the economy.
"We will be sending out the survey and making it available to as many small business owners as we can," Barton said. "I encourage you to take the time to participate and will appreciate your involvement. It is our hope that by developing this database we can really show how important small businesses are in West Virginia."
Anyone interested in participating in the survey should send an e-mail to smallbusinessinitiative@gmail.com and ask to have a survey sent to you.
Remembering Our Friends
The creation of a sculptural art wall to recognize those artists and individuals who have had a powerful impact on the Tamarack family has been discussed for some time. While the logistics of the project are being finalized, the Tamarack Foundation is supporting the project by purchasing amber glass Blenko bricks for its construction. With the recent passing of two of our Tamarack family, we are eager for the project to move forward.
We remember and will miss Dick Schnacke and Steve Vasilou.
Dick Schnacke, 94, of Wetzel County, was West Virginia's preeminent maker of folk toys. A Tamarack juried craft artisan, he was featured in GOLDENSEAL magazine, in an article titled "Whimmydiddles and FlipperDingers: A Visit with Toymaker Dick Schnacke" by Catherine Moore. In it, she recalls Schnacke's rise as a toymaker and entrepreneur, and his involvement in the West Virginia craft movement of the 1960s and '70s.
Moore said Schnacke gave up a successful engineering career 40 years ago to produce folk toys. His Mountain Craft Shop in Proctor employed 15 people at one time and produced 45,000 toys annually.
A founding member of the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, Schnacke remained involved with the annual event near Ripley from its start in 1963. The 2003 fair was dedicated in his honor. He was active in the state Arts and Crafts Guild, which he helped organize.
His first book, American Folk Toys, has sold more than 100,000 copies since it was published in 1973. Even after he sold the Mountain Craft Shop to neighbors Steve and Ellie Conlon of Thistle Dew Farm, Schnacke remained active. In addition to consulting for the Conlons, he worked on two more books on folk toys.
Steve Vasiliou, 74, of Wheeling, Ohio County, died April 8, 2011, at Wheeling Hospital.
Steve was a self employed artist and potter. He was a member of the West Virginia Art and Craft Guild, Oglebay Gardeners Club, and a long-time board member of the Ripley Arts and Craft Show.
His nature-inspired work was exhibited at Tamarack's David L. Dickirson Gallery and the Wheeling Artisan Center. He participated in craft shows throughout the area. He was an avid gardener. He was a member of St. John, The Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling.
Meet Foundation Board Member Jill Wilson
Jill Wilson's connection to Tamarack began in 1993 when, as press secretary for then Governor Gaston Caperton she wrote a news release about the launch of the Tamarack project.
"I remember calling David Dickerson to get information about Tamarack to include in the release because I didn't really understand what it was all about," she said. "Once I spoke with him, I was excited about the concept but I had no idea just how terrific it would be then.
"When I actually saw Tamarack following its opening in 1996, I was in awe," she continued. "Not only was it a first-class concept and facility, but its economic effects were hugely significant. And they still are."
A native West Virginian, Jill is a self-employed freelance writer. Today, she lives on a farm in Jackson County with her husband, Russell Isaacs, and their two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Aggie and Sonnie.
Born and raised in Morgantown, she's the youngest of five children. She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's degree in Public Administration from West Virginia University.
She worked in broadcast and print journalism for 15 years, including nine years with the Associated Press. She served as press secretary for Governor Gaston Caperton during his second term and is the editor of The Caperton Years: 1993-1997, the official papers and policies of Governor Gaston Caperton. She is the author of A Brief History of the South Carolina Medical Association 1948-2005.
An avid artisan herself, it's easy to see why Jill would be excited about and continue to support the Tamarack concept. She enjoys needle art, gardening, history and reading. She is a member of the American Quilt Study Group, the West Virginia Quilters Guild, the Embroidery Guild of America, National Quilters Association and the American Quilters Society.
"What really drove home to me the effect of Tamarack did not come from my work with Governor Caperton, however. It was the reaction of a relative the first time she walked into Tamarack," Wilson said. "She had moved away from West Virginia in the 1940s and had been back for only a few visits. When she walked into Tamarack for the first time, she had tears in her eyes. Tamarack really represented the best of West Virginia - the West Virginia that we all love."
As a former member of the West Virginia Humanities Council Board of Directors and the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation Board of Directors, Wilson knows that it is important for board members to be committed to a program and participate actively as a board member.
"When the Tamarack Foundation was launched, it clicked," she said. "To me, the Tamarack Foundation is a natural extension of the Tamarack mission. It is a critical component to Tamarack's continued success.
"We must support and nurture the artists and artisans who are Tamarack; they are the lifeblood," she said. "The Tamarack Foundation goes farther, however, in fostering growth and innovation among our artists and artisans, as well as encouraging more to join the ranks.
Wilson added, "Sustaining the present, working for the future of Tamarack sounds to me like a very worthwhile endeavor!"