Creative economy conference planned

By MARK SAGE/Staff

Anthony Flaccavento calls it the process of building an economy from the bottom up. It’s a process, he said, that calls for communities to focus not on what they don’t have, but what they have.
It’s part of creating sustainability and it’s the reason for a scheduled conference May 19 and 20 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.
The conference, “Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia: Art, Culture and Sustainable Development,” promises to look for ways to strengthen the region’s economy through what it has – a wealth of artisans, artists and farmers.
The term “creative economy” is used to talk about efforts to grow local, ecologically friendly businesses off of cultural, artistic and natural assets close to home. Regionally, it’s best described through the efforts of Appalachian Sustainable Development, Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network and the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, all three co-hosts for the May event.
John Rohman, chairman of the Maine Commission for the Arts, co-chairman of The Creative Economy Council and board member for the National Council for the Traditional Arts, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. According to a release from Round the Mountain, Rohman earned a national reputation through his work to build a creative economy for the small communities of Maine.
Round the Mountain Executive Director Diana Blackburn said Rohman would be talking about bringing the craft and business communities together. But the conference will also be bringing together artists, artisans and farmers.
Flaccavento, who is the executive director of Appalachian Sustainable Development and a member of the Round the Mountain Steering Committee, said his group typically spends a lot of time with state agencies, farmers, producers and loggers. To meet with people whose primary economic approach is through the arts is a good thing, he said. Aside from the fact that each side is looking to construct a sustainable local economy, he said there is the chance for practical connections.
“I think it’s exciting to imagine the possibilities,” he said.
For starters, is the hope that Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway and the planned artisans courtyard expansion to William King Regional Arts Center would use locally harvested wood during construction. He said it made sense for the artisan center, which is committed to displaying and selling locally produced arts and crafts, to commit to local agriculture, by tapping local growers for its food service, and local wood products.
“Why not get everything local?” he asked.
Flaccavento said both parts of Appalachian Sustainable Development, Appalachian Harvest and Sustainable Woods, continue to see demand outstrip supply.
Last year, he said, Appalachian Harvest reached $500,000 in sale and is “still just scratching the surface.”
Even as growers and producers struggle to meet the full demands of all the old buyers, he said new buyers are knocking on the door. Appalachian Harvest will begin to sell through North Carolina-based grocer Fresh Market this year, he said.
On the wood products side, which sells more to individuals rather than through outlets, sales were up 50 percent in 2006-07. Flaccavento said that between the wood and agriculture, Appalachian Sustainable Development members should be closing in on $1 million in sales this year.
It’s an interesting dilemma, he said.
However, supply is growing rapidly, too. He said 20 to 25 more producers are likely to become members of Appalachian Harvest this year. Another 20 would begin selling at farmers markets or supplying directly to restaurants, he said.
Blackburn said Round the Mountain is to crafts what the Crooked Road is to traditional music. She said the two groups make for a good fit. The Round the Mountain director said data show that when people come to the region for a music festival, which are usually held at night, they are often left wondering what to do with their days. Artisan trails and agritourism can fill the gap. The groups, she said, will be doing plenty of cross-promotion in the months ahead.
Though a study several years ago numbered the cultural workers in all 50 states, there has been no tally of the number in the region.
“That’s a piece we do need to do here,” Blackburn said.
The conference will also feature speakers addressing issues such as using traditional music venues and festivals to increase tourism, opportunities in the arts, artisan and craft worlds and sustainable development and natural resources.
For more information on the conference, contact Round the Mountain at (276) 492-20799 or . The $125 cost for the conference includes three meals featuring locally raised, sustainable produce, meat and eggs and entertainment from the musicians of the Live from the Crooked Road Concert.