LOCAL VISION CONTINUED - Center of Creation & Power Center
"Feeding the needs of Creativity"
A little background - Heatwole as Curator
For over 20 years David has been working as a Guest Curator as well as a Curator in a variety of venues. These have included high end restaurants, commercial and not-for-profit galleries, art centers and now as the Curator for The Fine Arts Company in Hagerstown, MD. Heatwole would like to be the Curator for what would be known as The Center of Creation. He would bring a variety of art shows to the Eastern Panhandle. From this position he would also work on establishing what is to be called the Porte Crayon Museum of Art which would be housed in the Center of Creation until another home could be built.
THE CENTER OF CREATION
The Center of Creation is to be located first at the old Dodge dealership
located on the entry to the heart of historic Martinsburg, if it is still available. This building is perfectly situated as the
first business property to welcome visitors to the history district from
Interstate 81 (and I might add there is a great mural there as well that could
very well have a directional sign attached to it to the Center.) I would propose if the Wollen Mill is still
empty after this has been established and working well that part of the vision
would be moved to that entire complex by Winchester Ave.
HERE IS WHAT THE CENTER OF CREATION CAN DO: |
EDUCATION - Art School and other educational facilities
RESEARCH - Temporary home for the Heatwole Collection on Energy/Synergy
(to be moved to the Porte Crayon Museum of Art when established.
- Library
SUPPORT – Offices, Studios
1. offices for local arts organizations
2. Home to the West Virginia Arts Ambassador
3. an incubator for other start up organizations
4. working studios for local artists (must be juried in)
RESIDENCE – efficiencies for visiting artists who are here to teach and or work.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Galleries (multiple)
1. At least one for solo and goup shows
2. At least one for thematic rotating exhibitions
3. One for installations
- Arts Events
RESEARCH - Temporary home for the Heatwole Collection on Energy/Synergy
(to be moved to the Porte Crayon Museum of Art when established.
- Library
SUPPORT – Offices, Studios
1. offices for local arts organizations
2. Home to the West Virginia Arts Ambassador
3. an incubator for other start up organizations
4. working studios for local artists (must be juried in)
RESIDENCE – efficiencies for visiting artists who are here to teach and or work.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Galleries (multiple)
1. At least one for solo and goup shows
2. At least one for thematic rotating exhibitions
3. One for installations
- Arts Events
The Union Sales Company building which is nearly empty and ready for a business would be a terrific location for what I am envisioning. I have been through the space with the owner and can see how it could work with for all the aforementioned aspects of The Center of Creation. I also really like the land around the building that I envision not only using for parking but also for a top notice, but small, sculpture garden. This location would also work in relation to my Mural Boulevard plan and could be part of what could be called the Arts Walk or some such name that would indicate the "U" shape starting either at Race Street where this is located swinging by the Round house and train station and then over to the Apollo Theatre is located. If you skipped over MURAL BOULEVARD find it in the menu on the upper right.