Approximately 20 to 25 people showed up for the Harper Barn clean-up, an annual gathering for members and friends to prepare the barn for the cooperative's spring opening.
Some were kept busy upstairs while others helped out in the museum. The steady drone of shop vacs was punctuated by the soft swish of brooms.
Other workers pulled out brushes and paint and spruced up display stands and benches. A series of new shelves were also assembled and painted. Also, the walls in a back corner were painted white to brighten what had seemed a darker area.
Some display units were removed this year because they were large and cumbersome, and new flexible shelving units were put in their place. The members of the Display Committee have been working on ways to efficiently utlilize as much space as possible in the barn.
Most importantly, some brave volunteers cleaned out the store room. You can actually store stuff in there now and move around!
Finally, the group enjoyed some good food. Everyone generously brought in food, too much, almost (guess we like to eat). The hospitality committee (a new committee for this year headed by Lee Jackson) was on hand to make sure plates, napkins and utensils were available.
It was a fun day and the workers enjoyed the tasks and the time with one another.
As the clean-up was winding down, consignors began to bring in inventory. Also prospective members took part in an afternoon jury session.
So far two new artisan members have been accepted: Ed Szrom, a photographer from Washington, D.C., and Daurelle Golden Harris, a fiber artist from Chalfont, Pa. Anyone interested in membership, whether as a consigning artisan or as a friend, can download membership forms and information from this site. Just click JOIN US in the navigation bar to the upper left.
April 18, 2009
Cooperative opens for 21st season!
The Lost River Artisans Cooperative will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, for our 21st year.
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of our third decade in the beautiful Lost River Valley of West Virginia!
May 23 and 24
Spring into Summer!
Fiber artists take center stage during the cooperative's annual Memorial Day weekend event.
Fiber artist Mary Ann Gentry
heads a line-up of spinners on the
forebay of the Harper Barn during
the 2008 Memorial Day event.
Visitors can learn about a range of fiber arts thanks to a host of demonstrations, including a special sheep shearing at 2 p.m. on Saturday by member artisan Debbie White. Learn about the process of harvesting wool, and watch as fiber is transformed from animal to art.
Other fiber demonstrations, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, will include spinning wheels, flax spinning, a charka (Ghandi style) spinning wheel, tape loom spinning and weaving, intricate bobbin lace, rug hooking, knitting, and sewing. The variety of fiber demonstrations will vary each day.
Other cooperative members, including jewelry makers, are also expected to demonstrate their crafts during the weekend.
===
On Saturday only, a special children's art tent will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. Projects will include:
Bug Mobile: Ages 6 and up. Learn about the Appalachian Brown Moth, Honey Bee and Fishing Spider, while creating them out of recycled materials.
Artist's Collage Box: Ages 9 and up. Students will learn about contemporary and historical artists by recycling photographs and pictures from discarded art magazines.
Hands on Thankful Wreath: Ages 6 and up. Children will magically use their own hand to create a "thankful for" wreath by tracing their own hand to make a pattern, then use the pattern to cut out many copies in different colors and write "I am thankful for..." messages on some.
===
Don't worry, the kids won't be the only ones having fun; there's plenty of entertainment available for the adults as well. Enjoy live acoustic music on the grounds of the cooperative from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Fiber artist Julia Flanagan
discusses her work.
Saturday's festivities will be capped by the announcement of the James E. Leiss Volunteer Award at 3 p.m., followed by a birthday cake celebration marking 21 years for the Lost River Artisans Cooperative at 3:30 p.m.
If you won't be able to join us on Saturday, fiber demonstrations will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
===
The Memorial Day Weekend event also marks the start of the cooperative's summer schedule, so the cooperative gallery and museum will be open Monday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the summer schedule, the cooperative will be open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday), 10 a.m.to 5 p.m., through October.
July 4
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and
July 5
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photography Display and Discussion
Photographer Albert C.Mach II, of Albert Mach Fine Art and Custom Framing, based in Arthur, W.Va., will share his passion for photography with visitors by displaying portions of his large collection of vintage cameras and photography equipment.
Some of the vintage cameras in Mach's collection date back to 1900.
In addition to the photographic equipment collection, Mach will also display many examples of his fine photographic prints of landscapes, cityscapes, barns and West Virginia countryside.
If you have a SLR camera and need some pointers about using it, Mach will answer questions on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. He says:
1. I can show the difference a combination of various lens openings and shutter speeds can make to a picture.
2. I can demonstrate the adjustment of ISO speed and how that affects a picture.
3. I demonstrate what white balance is and how it affects a picture.
4. I can talk about features of cameras and what makes some take better pictures.
He will be available to answer questions about his camera display, printing methods, as well as custom framing.
Mach has been a member of the Lost River Artisans Cooperative since 2007.
July 12
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glass Painting Demonstration
Carol Slovikosky of Parrish Farm Artworks, Martinsburg, W.Va., will demonstrate glass painting for visitors to the cooperative.
Carol explains her craft in this way: "The painted panels from Parrish Farm Artworks are my unique original designs. The piece starts out as a drawing, then using traditional glass paints and techniques, I hand paint onto a piece of glass which may be painted on both sides.
"Traditional glass paints are made up of finely ground glass and color pigments that come in powder form and are combined with water and gum arabic. Some also have alcohol and oil matts.
"After painting, the glass is put into a kiln and fired. After the kiln has cooled down, the painted piece is put together with other glass, lead, zinc border and solder. The panel is applied with putty; the excess putty is cleaned away with whiting and sharp sticks. Brushes are used to buff and polish off the excess whiting and putty.
"Finally, the zinc frame may or may not be darkened, and holes are drilled for hanging."
For this demonstration, Slovikosky will work with painting techniques on transparent glass.
As a glass artist, Carol also works with other mediums of glass to include stained glass, leaded and copper foil, and fused glass jewelry. However, for this demonstration, emphasis will be on her glass painting.
July 25
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jewelry-making Demonstration
Precious and semi-precious gemstones, pearls, shells, sterling silver -- these are some of the components that jewelry designer Becky Karas loves to fashion into unique earrings and necklaces.
Becky, whose travels have taken her across the globe, finds inspiration in many cultures. On her journeys to places such as Africa, South and Central America, Asia, and Europe, she collects stones and pearls that she later incorporates into her jewelry designs.
The photo shows some of her creations. Both earring sets use freshwater pearls; the pair to the left also features leopard jasper.
Becky will create jewelry on location at the cooperative, and answer questions about her design elements, tools, and jewelry assembly.
Saturday, September 5
10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Basket-weaving demonstration
Artisan member Tammy Keller May of Charleston, W.Va., will demonstrate basket weaving Saturday during Labor Day weekend at The Lost River Artisans Cooperative. Her demonstration will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Tammy has been weaving baskets since 1983 and got her start after taking some classes with a group of friends in Plymouth, Mich. The interest grew, and she began attending more classes at conventions in Michigan and Indiana, and later started teaching classes.
Of her work, Tammy says, "Baskets have been something I have treasured most of my life and feel so lucky to be able to make them. I weave with rattan from Japan and China, but also weave with white oak, maple, cherry and walnut. Handles are made from oak, and hickory from the U.S. Wire handles and pine bases are also used for some of my baskets. Designing baskets just comes easy to me."
Tammy grew up in Fisher, W.Va, near Moorefield, and plans to return to her Hardy County home in the near future.
Weaving is deeply wound through Tammy's family history, and taking up basketry seems a natural progression for the artisan, who began weaving rag rugs while a young girl.
Of her early training, Tammy says, "I started at a very early age with my Grandmother Keller and my Great Grandmother Hinkle, with the family loom. Weaving with the loom has been wonderful for me. I find myself deep in thought....remembering my family and great times. Six generations have used the loom. I now have four looms. My materials come from recycling blankets, bedspreads, curtains, robes, blue jeans, wool skirts, etc. I love to try to find my next weaving project, color and texture."
Tammy's baskets, as well as her rag rugs, are offered in the cooperative's gallery.
The Lost River Artisans Cooperative is located on WV 259 in Lost River, W.Va. For directions, click here.
Saturday & Sunday
September 26 and 27
Hardy County Heritage Weekend
Join us as we celebrate the history and craftsmanship of Hardy County!
As a Heritage Weekend Welcome Center, the cooperative becomes a hub of information for the Weekend's activities and county-wide house tours, as well as providing a forum for visitors to meet and visit with artists and craftspeople as they display their skills and talents.
Barn Clean-up
Most importantly, some brave volunteers cleaned out the store room. You can actually store stuff in there now and move around! 
Some of the vintage cameras in Mach's collection date back to 1900. 
Becky, whose travels have taken her across the globe, finds inspiration in many cultures. On her journeys to places such as Africa, South and Central America, Asia, and Europe, she collects stones and pearls that she later incorporates into her jewelry designs. 
Tammy has been weaving baskets since 1983 and got her start after taking some classes with a group of friends in Plymouth, Mich. The interest grew, and she began attending more classes at conventions in Michigan and Indiana, and later started teaching classes.
