The parking lot was filled to capacity and the front desk
busy every moment! It was the Lost River Artisans Co-op’s GRAND re-opening
after moving. There were outdoor vendors, despite the chilly dampness, and the
Chamber of Commerce officiated at our ribbon cutting with the lovely Jordan Robinson (who we hope will be the next
Miss West Virginia). And I just happened to wear purple that matched the big
wide ribbon-- truly a wonder! The food was a hit, the kettle corn yummy. On top
of all that, we learned a lot about what works and doesn’t in our new space!
You’ve heard about the move before, and the amazing
community participation it involved. It really does take a village, but it
works the same way when we are scattered around the beautiful rural
countryside! Members and volunteers worked incredibly hard to make the opening
a huge success. People donated wonderful raffle prizes and the museum continues
to be ever more interesting. With the co-op adjacent to the museum now, people
wander from one into the other. Local people point out their homes in old
photos, or tell stories about ancestors or farming practices prompted by the
artifacts. What a rich culture Appalachia has, to say nothing of this little
corner of West Virginia and the Lost River Valley! People even share stories about
our 60 year old “big red building,” in which their fathers or uncles worked during
its former lives as a sink factory and a feed store.
Our display men, Albert Hutchings, and co-op member John
Geiger (who goes through life moving things around to make everything more
beautiful) have truly worked their magic on the place. The co-op has 44
talented, juried-in members now, so we have an incredibly diverse and creative wealth
of great items with an emphasis on the heritage arts. People made signs for along the road, and put
out traffic cones to slow down traffic. Julia Flanagan, the only octogenarian I
know who introduces herself as a stripper and a hooker,
demonstrated her hooked rugs. Tom Reid, our other demonstrator, showed us how
he puts together intricate stained glass pieces. It was indeed a great grand
opening! Come on by! (See more at Lostrivercrafts.com and you can also follow us on our Facebook page. So go ahead and give us a like.)
