Create West Virginia

Scenes from Create WV 2008

We wanted to share the success of the 2008 Create WV Conference with those who could not attend in hopes you can join us next year. PDF and PowerPoint files will be found on www.createwv.com/conference shortly, but for now here are some fun sights from the conference:

Reverend Matthew Watts of Charleston

Keynote presentation in the Expo

Speed networking event during Monday's welcome reception.

A little Mountain State hip hop....

Not sure what this is called, but it sounded cool....

Jeanne Mozier celebrates a creative cone award...

Crystal Nazario, Covenant House

Mike Basile, Spilman Thomas & Battle

Jeffrey Lusk, Hatfield McCoy Trails

Thank you to all 395 attendees, and here's wishing you a creative and prosperous year ahead in your community!

Creative Cone Awards Announced

There are literally hundreds (thousands?) of creative people in communities throughout our state taking a leadership role by sticking their neck out to instigate positive change. To honor their work and to honor the work of specific individuals who have earned our respect and admiration for their creative accomplishments, the Create WV team launched the first "Creative Cone" awards on the last day of the conference.

Why a "creative cone"? Because we're all working in creative communities "under construction." Some communities are a little further down their path, but we're all at various stages.

Please join us in celebrating the work of this year's honorees:

Jeanne Mozier, Berkeley Springs - We're not sure it's possible to think of Berkeley Springs without thinking of Jeanne. She's the entrepreneurial heart and soul behind the creative power of this little town in Morgan County who has earned multiple "top arts town" designations and is the first certified arts community in West Virginia.

Keith Pauley, Charleston - Keith is the CEO of MATRIC, the research non-profit launched in 2004 that has put the Kanawha Valley on the R&D map again by putting Ph.D.'s back to work in the Kanawha Valley. Under Keith's leadership, MATRIC has hired dozens of new highly-paid researchers and spawned new commercial companies from their work.

Marlon LeBlanc and Jason Staples, Morgantown - OneWVU arose, according to Sharon Mallow, program coordinator for the President’s Office for Social Justice, after an incident occurred at the University in which a student athlete was called a racial slur. WVU soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc has been a founding visionary leader for the initiative, and Jason Staples a key leader in delivering tangible efforts to build awareness and commitment to diversity at West Virginia's flagship university.

Reverend Matthew Watts and Reverend Ron English, Charleston - West Virginia has had its share of ugly incidents and bad PR in the past year that forced us to ask many difficult questions to confront both our public image and our personal commitments. Luckily, we have two long-time civil rights and community champions working in Charleston who have helped build connections, share balanced insights via the media, and championed the urgent need for the Kanawha Valley and all of West Virginia to value its citizens from all ethnic, racial, and age backgrounds. Their accomplishments are too numerous to name, but their impact is felt across many realms such as mentoring youth, creating job opportunities and building diversity leadership.

Dr. Stephen Kopp, Huntington - Dr. Kopp is a champion of building creative communities in West Virginia through 21st century education, technology and research. Under his leadership, Marshall University has aggressively launched their implementation of "Bucks for Brains" and personally participated in the Create Huntington initiative. Dr. Kopp is a passionate, shining example of how leaders in our state can lead us into the new economy and greater prosperity.

As we mentioned earlier, there are many, many folks doing fantastic creative work throughout the states. But we thank the honorees above for their examples of leadership and creative problem-solving in our great state. Thank you to all of them for their leadership!

Wow....And Thank You

After last year's inaugural Create WV conference, we wondered if we could recreate the same magic that was sparked by so many people from so many different parts of the state with so many different backgrounds coming together to explore this "creative community" concept.

This year's 2nd Create WV conference was different and special in its own way. Snowshoe Mountain was beautiful (and cold at times!) and more spread out. The audience was much larger. But the end result was just as magical:  Hundreds of creative West Virginians banding together to learn about and discuss major challenges and exciting opportunities for their communities and our state.

We have so many to thank. The attendees, the volunteer organizers, the speakers, the sponsors. In coming days we'll be sharing the slide presentations and handouts, photos and videos and comments from the attendees.

For now, we leave with a quiet, yet excited, confidence that the future is very bright for our state because of our commitment to creatively shaping it together. If you attended the conference, we'd love to hear from you with a post on this site or an email to [email protected].

Let's go create!

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP)

KIPP began in 1994 when two teachers, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, launched a fifth-grade public school program in inner city Houston, TX, after completing their commitment to Teach For America.  In 1995, Feinberg remained in Houston to lead KIPP Academy Middle School, and Levin returned home to New York City to establish KIPP Academy in the South Bronx.  These two original KIPP Academies became the starting place for a growing network of schools that are transforming the lives of students in under-resourced communities, and redefining the notion of what is possible in public education.

      

Learn more www.kipp.org

    

KIPP selects where they open new schools, much like a retailer selecting where to open a new franchise.  Read what it takes to be considered:

http://www.kipp.org/07/KIPP_RFP_2006_Questions.pdf

   

Could your community make this commitment to public education?  Would your community let this type of innovation to occur?  Learn more about innovation in public education at the conference.

Free Training on Communication, Creativity at Create WV Conference

Two more great reasons to attend this year's Create WV Conference - free training! Two special pre-conference workshops are scheduled from 1pm - 4pm at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. One session will show you how to unlock your own creativity in your work and personal life; the other will show you how to effectively communicate and promote your organization, project or idea in today's hyper-media world.

Create WV Workshop: Creativity, Innovation, and You

1pm – 4 pm, Monday, October 20 – Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Presenters:

• Rebecca Kimmons: Writer; Actor; Singer; Media Relations      Professional;
       Partner, Katalyst Development Strategies
• Mary Klotz: Visual Artist; Owner, ForestHeart Studio
• Robin Tenant: WV Odyssey of the Mind, State Coordinator, Creativity Coach, Registered Nurse

How can you become more creative in all walks of life? How can you infuse creativity and innovation into your community and work? Whether you are looking for a way to look at life more creatively, or you believe what experts are saying about creativity and innovation driving the next wave of prosperity, you won’t want to miss the chance to explore your own capacity to push the creative envelope.  In this lively 3-hour workshop, you can expect to work individually and in small and large groups to

• Determine and leverage the differences in critical and creative thinking
• Challenge notions of ordinary and extraordinary
• Explore negative attitudes and myths that block creativity
• Explore positive attitudes that fuel creativity
• Experiment with creative thinking tools and methods for various stages of the creative process

Agenda:

1:00 – 1:20 Welcome and Introduction

1:20 – 1:35 Spontaneous Verbal Combustion

1:35 – 2:00 Ken Robinson on How We Kill Creativity

2:00 – 2:20 Break

2:20 – 3:00 Creativity in Action

3:00 – 3:15 Concern Analysis

3:15 – 3:45 Applied Creative Thinking/Problem Solving

3:45 – 4:00 Discussion

Create WV Workshop: Marketing Your Organization and Ideas in a Hyper-Media World

1pm – 4 pm, Monday, October 20 – Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Presenters:

• Skip Lineberg, Chief Creative Officer, Maple Creative
• Justin Seibert, CEO, Direct Online Marketing
• Jeff James, CEO, Mythology
  

Today’s cluttered media environment makes it extremely challenging for anyone to get their message through. Did you know that each one of us receives 3,000 media messages daily, and only 17 are actively paid attention to?

 

Most communities, non-profits and small businesses have nowhere near the budget or expertise to break through the clutter. This Next Generation Marketing and Communications Workshop will equip you with the basic tools of getting your message across to the right people using modern “next generation” strategies and tools such as blogs, social networks, search engine marketing and powerful message development.

 Agenda:

1:00 – 1:20 Welcome and Introduction

1:20 – 2:15 New Generation - New Rules for Marketing

2:15 - 2:45  Today's Social Media Options

2:45 - 3:00  Break

3:00 - 3:45  Building a Dialogue With Your Audience

3:45 - 4:00  Q&A

 

Snowshoe Mountain to Host, Learn From Create WV

(Snowshoe, W.Va.) – As Snowshoe Mountain Resort prepares to host the Create WV Conference, October 20-22, the resort is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of attendees to the mountaintop. But the exposure and visitation is not the only thing exciting Snowshoe’s top executives; the mountain’s leaders are also planning on attending many of the Conference’s sessions, positioning Snowshoe as an active part of West Virginia’s future.

“This conference is important for West Virginia’s future and for the future of Snowshoe Mountain,” explained Bill Rock, president and chief operating officer of the resort. “Our customer base can go anywhere for their vacation, but there is something special about West Virginia and the natural beauty and excitement that visitors find here. What we never forget at Snowshoe is that we have to pair that organic experience with exceptional costumer service and amenities. That’s what brings people back time and time again, and what has made Snowshoe the state’s top tourism destination.”

The Create West Virginia Conference, which is expected to bring 300 visitors to the mountain, will provide training to leaders of all types, including planners, educators, elected officials, community developers, entrepreneurs, artists and business owners. With an overall focus on helping West Virginia communities prepare for growth in the new “Idea Economy”, the conference has an exciting agenda of workshops, keynote presentations, panel discussions and break-out sessions. Attendees will be able to choose from several specific learning tracks or content areas, including place, education, tolerance, technology, and business.

“I think that this approach to economic and community development is a dynamic one, and one that can truly help West Virginia and its citizens enjoy a brighter future,” continued Rock. “I’ve encouraged several representatives from our management team to participate in the conference, and I hope that our resort leaders can also become leaders in the state.

“We believe that this type of discussion will help attract new, creative talent both to the resort and to the state, as well as allow the young people in this state to stay home and find the creative, lucrative jobs that they desire. I’m thrilled that many of our local elected officials and community leaders will be attending, and I look forward to the positive ideas and actions that come out of this type of gathering.”

Create WV Chairman Jeff James affirmed Bill Rock’s observations, “I really believe that as we help shape a larger and more vibrant creative community outside the boundaries of the resort, we are really helping Snowshoe to attract and retain high caliber talent. That will certainly provide a competitive advantage for them.”

To register for the conference, interested parties should go to the event registration Web site at www.CreateWVEvents.com or call (304) 342-6970. For more information about Snowshoe, please go to (www.SnowshoeMtn.com). Finally, for more information about the Create WV initiative, a project of Vision Shared, please visit (www.CreateWV.com).

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Healing Through Creativity

Trauma Survivors and Supporters of Survivors of Trauma are invited to share art, music, writing,
poetry and other creative forms at the Healing Through Creativity Festival.

When:  October 10 -19, 2008
Where:  West Virginia State University, WV, USA

http://www.healingthroughcreativity.org/

The experience helps trauma survivors and promotes community understanding.

We open our hearts to support those who are making their way through the various stages of recovery from physical and psychological trauma.  The event is inspired for the need in the community to support survivors and to seek additional resources and contacts to help in recovery.  Once aware of supportive resources, individuals may follow up with any of the fine contacts from this event for more in-depth help, education and support.  You know what you would give to keep just one person from suffering.  Healing through Creativity promises to be a life changing experience.

Healing through Creativity features positive-focused expressions that will help trauma survivors and promote understanding. Survivors and supporters share the fun and excitement of creativity without the fears of judgment or undeserved guilt and shame. The event promotes community awareness about the needs of survivors of trauma to the body, mind and spirit.  Workshops, speakers and displays promote prevention of assault and abuse.

Healing through Creativity helps to end the need for silence, the feelings of abandonment and the undeserved guilt often felt by survivors.  The event recognizes organizations that educate, serve and protect the community.   Healing through Creativity July 2006 was a breakthrough for all survivors and in July 2007, Healing through Creativity returned to serve even more.  Planning is underway for Healing through Creativity 2008. Visit the recap of the Festival in the Survivor's News Section and in the photograph section for an idea of what the Festival is like.  Workshops and entry are free.

Artistic works include: creative writing, poetry, painting, music, drama and other works.  See workshops, hear speakers and develop your own creative talents. 

We  invite trauma survivors and their supporters to enter their original heart felt artistic works in this event.   We are currently calling for participants and presenters who wish to join in the fun.  Please use the forms on this site or contact us for further information.

Thank you

The Healing through Creativity July 2008 Team

Appy + World = Culturefest 2008

Culturefest is a world music and arts festival at the Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV, which celebrates the culture of Appalachia alongside that of the nations of the world.  The goal of the festival is to promote respect and understanding, with music and art being the bridge. The festival offers world music, hip hop, blues,

In its fifth year, the festival presents numerous top-quality music acts and dance performances from around the world, ethnic food, artisan vendors,  a children’s village, drum circles,  demonstrations and workshops.  This year’s Culturefest will be held September 19-21 at the beautiful Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, West Virginia, offering 3 full days of fine West Virginia camping, entertainment and cultural enrichment. 

A weekend pass is only $30, and daily passes are just $15. You can purchase tickets online.

The festival is run by the same folks who run the RiffRaff Arts Collective in Princeton, WV. You'll meet these young, creative entrepreneurs at the Create WV 2008 Conference October 20-22. But before you head to Snowshoe, make sure you experience the amazing talent lineup at Culturefest!