May 26 & 27, 2010
2010 Annual Workshop
"The Creative Economy"
Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon, VA
$75.00 for 2010 VDDA members, $85.00 for non-members
Join us in beautiful and historic Abingdon, where we will focus on developing and strengthening the creative economy in your community. Located in the heart of the Crooked Road and Round the Mountain trail networks, Abingdon is leading the way in promoting musicians, performers, artists, and artisans in Southwest Virginia. In-depth sessions will feature topics including the role of artists and artisans in the creative economy, fostering the performing and visual arts downtown, using renewed interest in “slow food,” local food, and farmers’ markets as an economic development tool, and how to design buildings and infrastructure to spark growth of your downtown’s creative economy. We’ll also learn about the dramatic transformation that has taken place in the town of Floyd, where previously empty parking lots and storefronts have been turned into performing arts venues. Through the hard work and cooperation of old-timers and newcomers to the community, the county seat of Floyd County has become a significant tourist attraction.
Our workshop will take place in the stately Martha Washington Inn, which opened as a hotel in 1935. We would like to invite you to come early and get a true taste of the Abingdon area by participating in a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a walking tour of downtown Abingdon, and an evening welcome reception on Wednesday. We’ll see you in Abingdon!
On Wednesday May 26th, DHCD in partnership with the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission will be hosting a Southwest Virginia Downtown Interchange. The afternoon will gather input on the specific challenges small, rural towns in the region face and how DHCD can best support revitalization activities taking place downtown. There will also be a special announcement concerning the Southwest Virginia Web site and how Southwest Virginia towns can be featured on it through a competitive process. There is no registration fee for the Downtown Interchange, but registration (separate from the VDDA Workshop) is required (click here). Contact Joy Rumley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (276) 676-5471 for more information.
Sponsored by the Town of Abingdon
Wednesday May 26, 2010
Join us for a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail starting mid‐morning. For more information please contact Chris Sterling at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 804‐482‐5388.
1:00-4:30 Southwest Virginia Downtown Interchange (hosted by DHCD & the SW VA Cultural Heritage Commission) at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator. There is no fee for this event, but separate registration is required. To register, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov or contact Joy Rumley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 276-676-5471.
4:30 Tour Downtown Abingdon
5:30 Welcome Reception
Thursday, May 27, 2010
8:00 Registration, Networking, & Continental Breakfast
8:30 Welcome ‐ Hon. Edward B. Morgan, Mayor of Abingdon & Mr. Greg Kelly, Town Manager
9:00 Artists & Artisans ‐ Diana Blackburn, ‘Round the Mountain’ The Role of Artists and Artisans and the Importance of Visual & Studio Arts.
10:00 Break
10:15 The Performing Arts ‐ Richard Rose, Barter Theatre & Pam Nowell, Nowell Photography
11:30 The Slow Food Movement and How Farmer’s Markets Revive Downtowns ‐ Anthony Flaccavento, Executive Director, Appalachian Sustainable Development
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Designing for the Creative Economy ‐ David Hill, ASLA, Principal, Hill Studio
2:30 Break
2:45 Case Study ‐ The Town of Floyd’s Resurgence, Woody Crenshaw, Crenshaw Lighting Company
3:45 Thanks for coming! Have a safe trip home.
