Traveling with SDAJ---- Potter County Artisan Center
While participating in a show at the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro for the Pennsylvania Forestry Commission, we also had a chance to visit other PA Wilds trail stops on the trip home Sunday of last weekend.
President of the Board for the Potter County Visitor Association, Doug Firestone, was very instrumental in setting the plan in motion for PCAC. Firestone, an artisan himself, understands how important a center such as this would be in not only revenue for PCVA but, in turn teach artists how to be knowledgeable in all facets of the work from social media promotion to book work.
"Last fall we relocated our office to the building we are now in, the Penn-York building. With the additional space we decided to start the artisan co-op.
We are teaching them business practices, they put their time into the store, and assist in every part of the business. We have a management committee, a promo/marketing committee, and also a facilities committee. We basically allow them to make the decisions with a little guidance from us. It was also created to try to help the downtown, Coudersport, by attracting artisans to create their own businesses in the downtown," says Firestone.
Other board members were part of the decision making including Dave Brooks executive director and Allison Brooks communication manager of Potter County Visitor Association with also 40 locals attending to talk and brainstorm late January..
excerpted from- an original article appearing in the Potter Leader Enterprise, Wednesday, April 9, 2014
From the PCAC website:
Whether beading a prayer mala, cutting envelopes from old book pages, or photographing scenic Potter County... Elaine Russell glories in the world around her. A professional photographer since 1986, her work has been published in magazines, books, used in advertising, showcased in galleries... and collected across the country.
\\\Please click on any of those links above for more information about all the amazing artisans, trail stops and public art in this region of the state. You will not be disappointed!
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| 227 North Main Street, Coudersport, Pa. is where you will find the Potter County Artisan Center |
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| Doug Firestone of owner/operator of Firestone Forge located in Germania, Pa. part of the PA Wilds Artisan Trail |
"Last fall we relocated our office to the building we are now in, the Penn-York building. With the additional space we decided to start the artisan co-op.
We are teaching them business practices, they put their time into the store, and assist in every part of the business. We have a management committee, a promo/marketing committee, and also a facilities committee. We basically allow them to make the decisions with a little guidance from us. It was also created to try to help the downtown, Coudersport, by attracting artisans to create their own businesses in the downtown," says Firestone.
Other board members were part of the decision making including Dave Brooks executive director and Allison Brooks communication manager of Potter County Visitor Association with also 40 locals attending to talk and brainstorm late January..
excerpted from- an original article appearing in the Potter Leader Enterprise, Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The goal of the Artisan Center is to exhibit the wonderful talent in the region and provide an opportunity for area artisans to display and sell a wide variety of unique products. The center will host a variety of locally made products: jewelry, paintings, herbal products, accessories, photography, garden and yard art, wood and metal works, locally produced foods and more. The artisans themselves will staff the center, so customers can meet the people who created the items they purchase.
David Brooks, executive director of PCVA, said that everyone involved is excited and optimistic about the prospects of the center. “Ever since the center [based on a similar plan] opened in Emporium, we’ve been wanting to do this. We’ve been looking for a building where we could make this happen for about six or seven years. We’re just happy to have the opportunity to finally do it.”
PCVA and the Chamber moved into their new location last fall. By sharing the building space and expenses, both entities are able to enjoy a better location with very little increase in cost.
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| Elaine Russel, curator and on the management committee, was tending the gallery the day we were there. In the above photo she is at her creatively fabulous display. |
Whether beading a prayer mala, cutting envelopes from old book pages, or photographing scenic Potter County... Elaine Russell glories in the world around her. A professional photographer since 1986, her work has been published in magazines, books, used in advertising, showcased in galleries... and collected across the country.
As a fine art jewelry fabricator, she has been striving for excellence since 1995, specializing in prayer beads of all faiths and sterling wrapped gemstones. And as a mixed media artist... she has found new life for recycled and salvaged goods since 2005.
Wife, mother, and retired nurse; Elaine grew up in Coudersport... and after traveling cross country for 20yrs... she is happy to be back home.
Elaine has written a daily blog since 2008; which you can see at www.moongipsies.blogspot.com
You can contact her at moongipsies@msn.com
or through her Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/moongipsies
Elaine gave me an update on their artist count to date, which is 29. With the Center's grand opening April of this year, that number is very impressive!
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| Here are some displays at the artisan center, from the back entrance. I love those lockers! |
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| Public Art, as in this mural you see above, on the Potter County Artisan Center building, can be found all across the 12.5 county region known as the Pennsylvania Wilds along the artisan trail. |
Thank-you Elaine and Doug for all of your help on this post! You two are such assets.
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