News & Updates

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Yarn Explosion, a Roanoke knitting and needlepoint retailer, will hold an Open House Friday, April 20 from 4:00-7:00 to celebrate their partnership with the Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV).  Several of ACV’s juried artisans will be showcasing their work, including pottery, quilt art, baskets, jewelry, and felted apparel.

Yarn Explosion, located at 5227 Airport Road, has served the region’s knitting and needlepoint community for more than three years.  In addition to selling fine quality yarns, canvases, and needlepoint threads, the ladies teach classes, provide technical assistance with projects, and provide a fun and comfortable destination for customers to stitch and socialize together.
The owners, Jane Jones and Marilee Williamson, have adopted a “Shop Local” philosophy to guide their purchase decisions, buying Virginia and U.S. products when possible.  When the opportunity arose to become a Retail Partner with the Artisans Center, the alliance seemed a natural fit, bringing Virginia artisans’ craft work in a variety of media to a local center of knitting and needlepoint artists.

The ACV’s mission of bringing economic opportunity to Virginia artisan businesses while strengthening local economies is realized in this sustainable alliance that combines ACV’s expansive artisan network and jury strengths with the respected retail and vibrant community that is Yarn Explosion.

Contact Information: Jane Jones or Marilee Williamson at Yarn Explosion:  540-206-2638 www.yarnexplosion.com
Sherri Smith, Executive Director of Artisans Center of Virginia: 540-946-3294 www.artisanscenterofvirginia.org

Enrollment in the SAW Artisan Trail has begun!  Although a year ‘round program, those wishing to be included in the highly visible, printed launch brochure are urged to register prior to May 31, 2012

The Artisans Center of Virginia is pleased to announce the artisan trail development in Augusta County, including the cities of Waynesboro and Staunton. At their July 2011 meeting, the Greater Augusta Regional Tourism Board (made up of representatives from Augusta County, Waynesboro and Staunton) approved granting funds for the implementation and participation on the management team for the development of the artisan trail program in its area.

The ACV Artisan Trail Network with its community loops are designed to attract visitors to artisan studios, agri-artisan farms, and local craft businesses. A 2008 research study, based on similar trails in Western North Carolina, demonstrated that 97% of travelers make a purchase somewhere along the trail, and artisan studios and farms have shown an increase of 23% in sales and craft shops and galleries reported a 28% increase in revenue.

The News Virginian article - Artisans Center of Virginia, localities work to create local artisans trail

Spread the word to artists you know who may be interested in becoming an ACV Juried Artisan.  If you are a juried artisan member but do not hold the “professional” distinction, we encourage you to re-apply and not miss the opportunities ahead.

Information on how to apply for the jury click the tab in the upper left corner of the ACV website.

Check out this fantastic articla in the Fluvanna Review on ACV Juried Fiber Artisan Cynthia Harrison as she speakes about the ACV Studio School at Piedmont Virginia Community College, and the courses she will be instructing this spring. 

http://www.fluvannareview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1431:artist-helping-artists&catid=35:arts&Itemid=224

Check out ACV Executive Director, Sherri Smith on “What’s Going On C’ville”, hosted by Lana Young and Jon Emm, this week promoting the Artisans Center of Virginia’s upcoming programs in the Charlottesville region! The weekly show airs in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Culpepper and Orange counties. The viewing channel is: VA Living TV cable channel 94.7 - aired on the Monday, December 20th, and will run twice a day for the week (times can be random). You can also view the interview via YouTube by clicking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9gkkE3oIVo