Marc Harshman and Cheryl Ryan: - West Virginia Division of Culture ...

911 going on 30: Gallery Eleven marks30 th anniversaryBy Jeff PiersonThe year was 1975. At that time, many artistsin West Virginia were making their way sellingpaintings at annual juried exhibitions and throughword of mouth. A small group of Charleston artistsset out to make a change. Those 11 artists startedGallery Eleven—a Charleston cooperative thatremains successful 30 years later.Gallery Eleven founding member Hank Keelingrecollects, “I was walking downtown on CapitolStreet and ran into these girls. They were talkingabout starting a co-op. I then called a few ofmy friends and we started getting together andsharing our art. We came together as 11 in thebeginning.”The other founding members were JohnHudkins, Barbara Bloomburg, Ray McNamara, JanGriffin, Della Taylor Brown, Esther Forsley, MiltonKoslow, Nancy Louise Mottesheard, Helen Brattand Rosalie Atkins. Atkins remembers the hardwork in the beginning. “The challenge was tofind the right group of people. We were careful tomake sure everybody involved approved each newmember,” she said. “We decided early on to stopat 11.”The cooperative’s early success and thelongevity of Gallery Eleven have been attributed tothe members’ relationships.“We were all really close. We got along greatfrom the start,” Keeling said.Atkins added, “We all had a great passion forart. It was our common bond.”Hank Keeling explains the beginningsof Gallery Eleven. Photograph by Michael KellerAnother important factor in their successwas keeping every aspect of the business withinreason.“We always wanted the art to be affordable,”said Atkins. Most of the work is priced under$1,000. The average price for a painting is around$300. Fifteen percent of work sold in the gallerygoes toward rent and bills. Members pay anannual fee of $180.The original members of Gallery Eleven; Top Row: John Hudkins,Barbara Bloomburg, Hank Keeling, Ray McNamara, Jan Griffin, DellaBrown Taylor, Esther Forsley, Milton Koslow; Bottom Row: Nancy LouiseMottesheard, Helen Bratt, and Rosalie Atkins.In addition to the annualfee, the artists take turnsworking at the gallery duringbusiness hours. Having atleast one artist there all thetime is good for business.Because of the artists closerelationships, they areable to describe others’work quite well. Over theyears, the gallery also hasRosalie Atkins stands proudly beside her work.taken on more artists and Photograph by Michael Kellerconsignments to stabilizebusiness.“Starting a co-op can be very difficult butkeeping everything in reason is key,” Atkins said.“Paying careful attention to selection of membersand pricing helps maintain the expense of runninga gallery.”Gallery Eleven should be seen as a model fora successful co-op. Over the last 30 years, GalleryEleven has provided a place for artists and peoplewho enjoy art to feel welcome. It is a place wherethe art is what is important.For more information, visit the cooperative’swebsite at www.galleryeleven.com.

15• Arts Leadership and Service Award forvisionary individual or arts organizationleadership and service in the arts• Artistic Excellence Award for significantcontributions to the arts in West Virginia byeither an established or emerging artist• Arts Innovator Award for an individual,group, organization or educator who hassuccessfully executed innovative methods ofinvolving the public in arts experiencesFor more information or to request anomination form, see the Division’s websiteat www.wvculture.org or call Debbie RaineyHaught at (304) 558-0240 or e-mail debbie.haught@wvculture.org, or contact Mozier at (304)258-4248 or star@starwv.com.Resources/OpportunitiesPlease see the West Virginia Division ofCulture and History website atwww.wvculture.org for updatedInternet Resources and Opportunities/Events listings.Martha Newman, thearts in education andaccessibility coordinatorfor the past five yearswith the West VirginiaDivision of Culture andHistory has accepted aposition with the Kentucky Performing Arts Centerin Louisville as the director of access. Martha’sextensive background in theater and dance,coupled with a long and successful career workingwith individuals with disabilities, has earned hera nationwide reputation for leadership in the fieldof accessibility in the arts. Martha will be greatlymissed. Best wishes with your new endeavor.Arts Day planned for February 2006 at the State CapitolMark your calendars for Monday, Feb. 6, 2006. The West Virginia Division of Culture and Historyand the West Virginia Commission on the Arts will be hosting “Arts Day” inside the State Capitolin Charleston. The purpose of this “Arts Day” is to:- Recognize the vitality of the arts in our great state.- Promote the impact the arts has on cultural growth, economic development,and education.- Bring artists, arts organizations, and art enthusiasts alike together and celebrate thearts under the new gold and blue capitol dome.There will be opportunities for artists’ demonstrations, small ensemble performances, informationtables, and other activities. For more information contact Jeff Pierson, Individual Artist Coordinatorat 558-0240, ext. 717, by email: jeff.pierson@wvculture.org, or Richard Ressmeyer, Director ofArts. at 558-0240, ext. 721, by email: richard.ressmeyer@wvculture.org.ArtWorks is free!If you would like to have your nameadded to the mailing list for ArtWorks,please call (304) 558-0240 or e-mailjeff.pierson@wvculture.org.WEST VIRGINIADIVISION OFCULTURE AND HISTORYArtWorksWinter 2005-06State of West VirginiaJoe Manchin III,GovernorDepartment ofEducationand the ArtsKay Goodwin, SecretaryDivision ofCulture and HistoryTroy Body, CommissionerRichard Ressmeyer,Director of ArtsWest VirginiaCommission on the Artswww.wvculture.orgArtWorks welcomesproposals for nonfictionarticles of 500-750 words. Articlesshould focus on WestVirginia artists, artsorganizations and theperforming, visual orliterary arts. Of specialinterest are unique andsuccessful communityarts projects and newtrends in West Virginia’sarts scene. Artist profilesmust also reflect someactivity of significance toWest Virginia or someenlightening aspect oftheir work. Photographsand other illustrationsmay accompanysubmissions. Forsubmission guidelinesand terms of paymentcontact: ArtWorks,West Virginia Divisionof Culture and History,The Cultural Center,1900 Kanawha Blvd.,East, Charleston,WV 25305-0300.ArtWorks does notpublish advertisingfor commercialservices or businesses,but welcomesannouncements whichmay be of interest to thestate’s arts community.All publications andapplication forms areavailable in alternativeformats. Contact RichardRessmeyer, Director ofArts at 304/558-0240,ext. 721, (voice) or304/558-3562 (TDD).

A free quarterly newsletter from the Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the ArtsWinter 2005-06West Virginia Division of Culture and HistoryThe Cultural Center1900 Kanawha Blvd., E.Charleston, WV 25305-0300Non-profit OrganizationUS PostagePAIDPermit No. 2868Charleston, WV 25301Inside this issue:Cultural Facilities and Capital Resources Grants ....4Grant Time Strategy............................................ .6Upcoming Grant Deadlines ..................................7Gallery Eleven Marks 30th Anniversary .................9Arts Assembly ......................................................... 14