Heartwood - Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway

Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway will showcase the cultural and natural heritage of Southwest Virginia and contribute to a sustainable economy. Heartwood will serve as a gateway for the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe. Through retail sales and demonstrations, Heartwood will be representative of crafts created by individuals as well as venues that include craft as an institutional program. Promotion of visitation to these sites and selected individual studios will be a priority of the Gateway's visitor services. Heartwood will strive to be a catalyst for community development, fostering partnerships for education, marketing, and entrepreneurial activities related to the region's tourism opportunities and will promote an appreciation for the rich culture of southwest Virginia.

Heartwood will be an iconic structure inspired by the spirit and character of Southwest Virginia. Elements of traditional buildings and structures native to the settlers of this area served as touchstones for a unique and dynamic building that somehow seems as home in 2010 as it would in 1810.

Designed by award winning architects, Spectrum Design of Roanoke, the 29,000 square foot building will sit on eight acres next to the Virginia Highlands Community College. The LEED Certified building will feature artisan galleries, a superior food court with locally supplied organic products, storyboards and maps of the region to highlight the wonderful opportunities for exploring, exhibits of featured artisans and a place for music performances as a stop on The Crooked Road. The building will also house the offices of the 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia Artisan's Network and The Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Abingdon
• Art
• Craft
• Round the Mountain
• Crooked Road
• Music
• Bluegrass
• Pottery
• Weaving
• Wood Carving
• Luthier
• Guitar
• Mandolin
• Outdoor Recreation
• Heritage
• Adventure
• Mountains
• Blue Ridge

[vahoseman]

the crazy thing looks like the old 'fisher price barnyard set' from the 70's and 80's . They PAID someone to design this? lol

[pwallen1962wtf]

Where does the funding for this project come from? I've heard that it cost $16M?