The West Virginia hills are alive with anvils ringing, potter's wheels humming and wood lathes turning. Hope springs eternal in these mountains with inspiring artisan success stories that enrich many lives by retaining, expanding, and creating jobs while generating educational and training opportunities for emerging artists. Started in 1993 by the West Virginia Parkways Economic Development and Tourism Authority, Tamarack opened near Beckley in May 1996. Recognized globally as an innovative, nontraditional economic development project, Tamarack enriches the Mountain State and enhances West Virginia's overall image and tourism. Tamarack facilitates a vibrant cottage industry in West Virginia where jobs, marketing opportunities, training, and educational resources abound for West Virginia artists, craftspersons, and food producers, and the Mountain State's rich cultural heritage and artisan skills and traditions are preserved and strengthened for future generations of West Virginians. The "art and soul" of this thriving industry are the artists, craftspeople, and producers. Named for the Tamarack tree, a cone-bearing deciduous tree native to West Virginia, it symbolizes strength, versatility, and beauty synonymous with the State of West Virginia. The name was selected because of its uniqueness and its adaptability to signage and logo. And, the name does not negatively stereotype West Virginia. As the sparks fly, a piece of steel takes shape and comes to life waiting to be magically formed. As the gas heats up the batch, a gather of glass takes shape and becomes a work of art. As the potter's wheel turns, a mass of clay takes shape and transforms into a finely crafted pot. Traditions come alive in Tamarack's demonstration studios taking spectators back in time as they savor the moment they watched artisans at work. True to form, this interpretive venue preserves West Virginia's rich cultural heritage and its artisan skills and traditions. Visits with blacksmith Frank Hedgecock, hot glass artists Boyd Miller and Don Hamon, and potter Rod Queen, Tamarack's resident studio artists, create excitement and appreciation for heritage crafts and their skillful creators. Customers who purchase their creations take home a treasure and capture a memory. Guests to Tamarack experience world-class shopping featuring the largest collection of quality West Virginia crafts, art, books, music, and gourmet food products. Gathered from every corner of the state, the creations of over 1600 artisans are on display offering the shopper a variety of choices. Each piece has a story to tell attracting guests to discover more of West Virginia's cultural heritage and its artistic treasures. When only the best will do, customers are assured of quality products carefully reviewed through a jurying process. Before any products are offered for sale, the creator presents them for a jurying session guided by craft and product experts. This jurying process is an established system for maintaining quality control standards for Tamarack products. Music, theater, dance, storytelling, pastimes, and history take center stage during year-round festivals and events with a focus on Civil War times, the lore of trains, the art of gardening, and the celebration of old life traditions. Guests enjoy a variety of performances in the 178-seat Hulett C. Smith Theater, a showcase for West Virginia musicians, dancers, storytellers, theater groups, and performing artists. By Rebecca E. Stelling Tamarack One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 26003 Internet: www.tamarackwv.com || Order your FREE West Virginia Magazine | Request FREE regional travel information | Locator Map | Back to the top | Take me home ||