Artisans Center to announce temporary closing
The Artisans Center of Virginia will announce Thursday morning that it will temporarily be closing its doors at the end of the month, but its future in Waynesboro is apparently at question, The Augusta Free Press has learned.
The board of directors of the Artisans Center, the designated statewide artisans center for the Commonwealth, voted Tuesday night to implement the temporary-closing strategy, citing slowing sales, sources said.
Future funding support from the city for the center could be an issue in the decision as well, according to one source.
The Artisans Center currently rents space in Willow Oak Plaza on Broad Street, though the board has been looking at options for a permanent headquarters for several years.
City officials met with members of the board of directors of the Center today at City Hall to talk about the Center’s future in Waynesboro.
Look for more on this tomorrow at augustafreepress.com.
- Story by Chris Graham
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I cannot even begin to express how sad I feel that we might lose the Artisan Center to Staunton or somewhere else in the state. The quality of life in Waynesboro just took some major steps backwards. I’m so disappointed that there wasn’t anything we could do as a city to keep them here.
This is a shame. Waynesboro should try to keep this little jewel from leaving the city or disappearing altogether.
The Artisans Center first saw the light of day in Waynesboro amid much excitement and promise that it was a harbinger of culture! The mutterings of the troglodytes began shortly thereafter. The souring of the original optimism drove the Center to the now defunct Outlet Village; only to be forced to return to the Boro when the Village property went on the block. Now, thanks to the same lack of vision that harbored the distast for the original appearance, it appears it will leave for keeps. What can we expect to replace it…perhaps another payday loan endeavor? Better yet can we bring back the ABC?
Update: It’s Official. This news release was sent out to the local media this morning.
The Artisans Center Reorganizes to Better Serve Artisans & Virginia Communities
The Artisans Center of Virginia announced on Wednesday that it will reorganize to more directly support Virginia artisans and their communities throughout the state. As an initial step in this process, ACV will temporarily close its existing retail sales gallery, with sales continuing through Saturday, February 21st.
Because of the global economic downturn, ACV’s business model has very suddenly shifted from one where the gallery’s net revenue supported its operational costs to one where the gallery has necessitated private support to maintain operations. To more effectively and proactively utilize donor dollars, the Board of Trustees has chosen to reallocate scarce resources to activities that best fulfill the organization’s core mission. These include the development of craft trail networks to bring outside sales revenue into rural communities, an expanded web presence, increased educational and outreach programming, and exploration of partnerships with businesses to expand opportunities for artisan entrepreneurs.
“As an artisan, I know ACV is uniquely qualified to provide assistance to emerging craft business owners, support local artisans, and provide economic opportunities for local communities” said Janice Arone, a Board Member, Chair of the Development Committee, and clay artisan. “By responding nimbly and proactively to the challenge we face today, the organization will be able to maintain its commitment to these core objectives.”
The Board of Directors also acknowledged the critical role of the community and local partners. “In the next several weeks, we will continue conversations with stakeholders and friends to gather input and define ACV’s immediate-term priorities,” said Ms. Arone. “As in the past, ACV will rely on private support to create opportunities for individual artisans and their local communities.”
As part of the reorganization of ACV, the Board will be evaluating the organization’s staff structure. All retail gallery staff positions will be eliminated with the close of the gallery, and the Board is actively assessing the future managerial needs of the organization after the close of the gallery. Emphasis will be placed on reducing costs while preserving artisan support and community programs that are in alignment with the organization’s core mission.
Mary Louise Leake, Chair of the Board of Directors, thanked the Center’s staff, artisan members, and friends for their support of the Artisans Center’s gallery. “The gallery’s past success has been due to the commitment and dedication of our staff and the patronage of our community. Recognizing the impact artisan entrepreneurs have on local communities across the state as an economic force uniquely tied to business, education, culture and the arts, we the Board of Trustees of ACV remains committed to our core mission.”
Quality handmade artisan products will continue to be sold at the Center’s Gallery on Broad Street in Downtown Waynesboro in Willow Oak Plaza through Saturday.
As the statewide center for quality craft, the Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV) supports and promotes the culture of Virginia artisans through education, entrepreneurship, research, galleries and exhibitions. The Center believes that quality, handmade fine craft strengthens the cultural, educational and economic vitality of local communities.
ACV exists to give a statewide presence to the more than 3,000 craftspeople who call Virginia home by:
· Maintaining the heritage of quality, handmade fine craft and supporting those who perpetuate its viability.
· Producing educational opportunities for youth (both in the schools and on-site), adults, and professional advancement opportunities for the practicing artisan.
· Gathering and contributing to research on craft and craft practices in the Commonwealth and the impact craft has had on our society and the economy of the state.
· Developing artisan networks, pursuing strategic alliances and establishing a research & referral base that provides support to artisans statewide.
· Facilitating sales and exhibition opportunities that promote the work of juried member Virginia artisans.
· Increasing awareness and visibility by advocating the importance of handmade quality fine craft as economically vital to local communities.
With the Artisan Center closed, I can’t imagine what will pull tourist into “downtown” Waynesboro. My guess is they would have been more successful had they taken a space at the new shopping center (Shenandoah Drive).
I think you could be right on there, AJ, on both counts. I had been hoping that they could hang on here long enough to be able to make use of the soon-to-be-vacant Grand Piano space. We’d then have an arts district with the Wayne, the Artisans Center, and our museum and the Shenandoah Valley Art Center just down the street.
One down, three to go.
Chris,
Do you know whether this is truly a “temporary” closing? The tone of their news release certainly made it sound permanent to me. This is terrible news for Waynesboro and for the downtown area. I like the sound of your idea to use the Grand space when it is vacant. The ACV was sort of out of place in Willow Oak given the locations of the Heritage Musuem and art center. Too bad Waynesboro may not get to realize your vision. I suppose we’ll now have two local attractions (along with Virginia Metalcrafters) listed in area tourism materials even though they no longer exist.
I’m delayed getting back to you. Click on my in-depth report, “Inside the Artisan Center gallery closing.” I try to answer your question in about 1,500 words.
Let’s hope that this is just a transitional step in the development of ACV. I feel that one thing is certain though, the Artisan Center will have a permanent home someday – somewhere.
Make a secure donation to help the ACV-
http://www.artisanscenterofva.org/