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ELKINS -- The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce will host a Community Conversation focusing on the arts as an economic driver in the community on Wednesday at the Augusta Heritage Center.
Dialogue, connection and collaboration will highlight the discussion, which is scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m. The free Community Conversation is designed to allow those in the community to explore the ways that creativity contributes to thriving local communities and how the current momentum in Elkins can be harnessed.
"This event is part of our Community Conversation Series that we've had in the past where we focused on different topics such as housing, transportation and other items," Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce executive director Karrah Washington told The Inter-Mountain.
"At this point we felt it would be very beneficial to host a conversation centered around arts because Randolph County is a very artsy area… So we feel that this opportunity will inspire economic growth, tourism and support for small businesses in Randolph County."
Dan Engstrom, who is an ardent wood turner, will moderate the session. Engstrom's passion for woodturning started when he was in high school and college, before being rekindled in 2012. Today, Engstrom is a substitute teacher at the Elkins Mountain School, and builds theater sets for Davis & ELkins College when he's not in his wood shop.
Engstrom is the president of Artists at Work, which is an organizer of the event, alongside The Arts Center, General Federation of Women's Clubs, Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins-Randolph County Tourism, and the Old Brick Playhouse.
Jenna Green, director of Arts for the state Department of Arts, Culture, and History, will be the guest speaker at the event. Green will provide insight regarding how art has boosted the economy in areas similar to Randolph County.
Green, Old Brick Playhouse Executive Director Missy Armentrout McCollam, and Augusta Heritage Center Executive Director Seth Young will make up a panel who will answer questions during the session.
"We believe that creativity is not only a cultural asset -- it's an economic one," Seth Young, director of the Augusta Heritage Center, told The Inter-Mountain. "This conversation is about imagining what's possible when we invest in the arts as a strategy for community and economic development."
The Community Conversation will begin with a brief talk from experts from other areas, who have seen firsthand how the arts have revitalized towns. The floor will then be open to share ideas and discuss what is next for the Elkins community.
Those planning to attend are asked to register. For information, call 304-636-2717.