Business of Craft Institute News Release

Business of Craft Institute Comes to Southwest Virginia

ABINGDON, Va. -- August 16, 2010 - Artisans from across the region will have the opportunity to sharpen their business skills when the Business of Craft Institute is held at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Virginia and Chestnut Creek School for the Arts in Galax, Virginia. Presented by 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network, the Abingdon Institute will be held October 2, 2010 and the Galax Institute on November 16, 2010. Both one day workshops are designed to provide artisans at all levels of experience with realistic information and essential knowledge about managing their craft business. Nationally known as a contributing writer for /The Crafts Report/ and for his lively presentation style at over 600 workshops keynote speaker and presenter, Bruce Baker will be joined by Betty Hurst of Handmade in America, Asheville, North Carolina at both Institutes. Jeffrey Allison with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia will present in Abingdon and Robyn Raines with the Appalachian Arts Center in
Richlands, Virginia will present in Galax. Workshop topics will include merchandising, pricing, salesmanship, photographing your work, trends and marketing.

"The Business of Craft Institute will give participants many of the tools they need to move their craft businesses forward," says Diana Blackburn, 'Round the Mountain's Executive Director. "There are many very good business resources available to entrepreneurs; however, not many that focus specifically on craft. The Business of Craft Institute brings together professional presenters to guide participants on
managing the business side of their craft careers." Another unique component of the Institutes is the individual mentoring sessions. Blackburn explains "`Round the Mountain members are invited to bring an example of their work or business materials for a ten minute review by Institute experts." No business topic is off limits; however, one must pre-register for the mentoring sessions.

'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network is a non-profit, membership organization who works with its members on marketing, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to provide them with the business skills needed to manage successful businesses. Major funding for the Business of Craft Institutes is provided through the Wachovia, Wells Fargo Foundation. Other supporters include A Likely Yarn, Appalachian Arts Center, The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Virginia Tourism Corporation and Mountain Empire Community College's Center for Workforce Development.

Those wishing to view a complete schedule of topics as well as presenter biographies can visit www.roundthemountain.org. Registration forms are downloadable from the website or can be taken by telephone with a credit card.

*About `Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network*: `Round the Mountain was created in 2004, as a result of funding from Governor Mark Warner's Virginia Works Initiative. Recognizing the assets of the 19-county region, Governor Warner announced $100,000 in
Appalachian Regional Commission funds to develop an artisan initiative in southwest Virginia to further develop the region as a major cultural and heritage tourism destination. A group of interested individuals representing state and local government, planning districts, the small business community, arts organizations, economic development, tourism and artisans began the planning process; the organization is operated by a board of directors. Other funding partners include Virginia Department
of Community and Housing Development, the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Virginia Commission for the Arts and Virginia Tourism Corporation.

The `Round the Mountain service area includes Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford.

Contact:

Diana Blackburn, Executive Director
`Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network
851 French Moore Jr. Boulevard -- Suite 145
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276.492.2080
Fax: 276.698.3070
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.roundthemountain.org/