A group called ‘Round The Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network is calling all craftspeople and agricultural producers in Southwest Virginia for a new program in development called the Artisan Trail. The trail is a showcase for locally made arts, crafts, and farm based products in Southwest Va.

The trail will connect buyers who value quality and authenticity with the artisan and agricultural heritage of the region. Unique dining and lodging establishments are also encouraged to participate.

‘Round The Mountain is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable economic development of the region’s communities by assisting local artisans with marketing, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The group is pushing to get Lee Co. involved in the Artisan Trail.

“I am working with a group of folks to decide on a meeting place in Lee County [to talk about the Regional Artisan Trail Project],” said Sarah Romeo, Trail Development Coordinator for ‘Round The Mountain. “Hopefully we can get this scheduled for February.”

“The Tourism Committee is working with the state to do a Artisan Trail in the County,” said Tim Long, Executive Director of the Lee Co. Industrial Development Authority. “This trail will include local crafters who have a certain craft that will allow visitors an opportunity to stop at their home or facility to look at the crafts they are making... This trail is important for the county because we have so many unknown crafters in the area and we want to know about them. This will also help get the crafters on the ‘Round the Mountain web page which would further enhance their ability.”

Long said crafters that can participate on the Artisan Trail aren’t limited to Lee Co. “This does not only include Virginia, but crafters from Tennessee and Kentucky can participate.”

Long said Lee Co. is sponsoring a Tourism Strategic Plan workshop to further develop tourism on January 15, 2009 at the Cedar Hill Country Club starting at 5:30 pm. The workshop will include Kitty Barker with the state to help facilitate the endeavor.

According to a press release, this tourism and economic development initiative will be marketed through a creative, high-end brochure directing visitors to Southwest Va.’s makers and producers of the handmade and homegrown.

These trails will be marketed at interactive kiosks at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway, a multi-million dollar center being built in Abingdon, and through ‘Round the Mountain and its website.

Requirements for an eligible trail site are pretty wide open. They can include home-based arts and crafts studios (which can be open by appointment only) like cabinet makers, woodworkers, quilters, knitters, dollmakers, painters, etc. But the trail sites can also include craft centers, galleries & gift shops with a focus on local and American made arts and crafts; farms and agricultural based producers of jam, jelly, molasses, honey, syrup, wool, wine, soap, etc.; Bed and Breakfasts, cabins and campsites, or unique restaurants & cafes; and also farmer’s markets, produce stands, home sown plant, flower and tree sellers.

‘Round The Mountain has seen a lot of success with the project. Ewing resident Sue Crockett was chosen to do an ornament for the White House this year as a result of her involvement with the group. Also, Jonesville resident Gary Carroll was chosen for the cover of the Virginia Tourism Guide.

Virginia’s tourism industry is continually looking for homegrown experiences like the Artisan Trail to bring in new visitors to the culturally rich state. According to Governor Kaine, “As more travelers seek authentic, enriching destinations that are unique and offer experiences you can’t find anywhere else — they are looking toward Southwest Virginia. Initiatives like The Crooked Road and ‘Round the Mountain have been tremendously successful in drawing travelers to the region.”

Virginia Tourism Corporation’s studies show that “more than $17.7 billion in visitor spending and $1.2 billion in state and local taxes for Virginia communities are generated through tourism — in addition to more than 208,000 jobs.” The group’s studies over the past five years indicate that, “for every dollar spent on marketing, $5 comes back to the community in tourism spending.”

“This artisan trail is important for Lee County because it gives tourists an opportunity to see handmade crafts made in our community,” said Long.

Interested parties should contact Sarah Darkly Romeo for more information at 276-963-4993 or at sromeo@roundthemountain.org. You can also contact Tim G. Long at 276-346-7766.

To learn more about ‘Round the Mountain, visit: www.roundthemountain.org

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.