West Virginia State University Extension Service and West Virginia Preservation Alliance have joined together to host the first West Virginia Made Trade Show September 10 and 11 at the Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, West Virginia.
This event is the only in-state wholesale/retail trade show exclusively promoting handmade work from West Virginia artisans and gourmet food producers. Arts organizations, such as MountainMade, have also been invited to attend but may not sell.
Becky Henderson (far right) of MountainMade launches a Marble King marble down one of the toys at the gallery.
West Virginia is known for its rich tradition in fine art glass and marbles. Did you know that Marble King, Inc., was founded in 1949 by Berry Pink and Seller Peltier in St. Mary’s, W.Va.?
The factory didn’t move to Paden City, W.Va., until 1958 when Manager Roger Howdyshell relocated the factory after the original one was destroyed by fire. Howdyshell, who purchased Marble King in 1983, was the first to create cat’s eye marbles and veneering marbles.
Working at MountainMade provides a constant source of challenges. On any given day, there are new details in running a retail business.
This winter presented additional problems brought by the record snowfall in Tucker County. However, taping the video pieces was a completely different challenge for one who prefers to take care of business without much attention.
Charlotte Gerlach is a marvel and a West Virginia treasure. Self-taught, Charlotte’s ability to capture the fine details is little short of amazing. She works in oil paints. Her exhibit will be a collection of original works, prints and giclee’.
A nationally recognized artist, Charlotte has earned numerous awards and had her work commissioned. She is widely published.
It was no surprise that photographer Gerri Wilson became a juried artist. She and her husband Bruce pursue their shared and joint passion in their Deer Run Studio in Canaan Valley, W.Va.
A fine art nature photographer working from her home and studio in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia, she specializes in vignettes, close-ups and landscapes of native flora in the Allegheny Highlands.
