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Calling all educators! Develop innovative new lesson plans and activities relevant to exciting future opportunities for students in our region.

Are you Interested in …

• Demystifying the energy, chemical, automotive and other regional industry activities?

• Learning about future jobs relative to Kanawha Valley industries?

• Developing relationships for future partnerships and/or internships for students?

Then join Vision 2030 for the Educator | Industry Institute, which will be begin July 9-12 and will continue July 16-July 19. Each session will be held from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in various locations throughout the Kanawha Valley.

Click HERE for an application and full program agenda.  Applications are due to CNaumoff@charlestonareaalliance.org by Friday, June 8th.

Sign up today! The Institute is limited to the first 15 participants that register.

For successful completion of the program, educators will receive $500, courtesy of the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation

Member Market:
By Alliance Members for Alliance Members

This “Member Market” is a paid announcement sent by the Alliance on behalf of a member to business and community leaders and young professionals.

Mountaineer Montessori School is launching a scholarship program to increase access to a high quality Montessori education for students in the Kanawha Valley.  The goal is to help more children benefit from the multi-sensory, hands-on, collaborative approach to education at MMS, a school recognized for high standards and innovation since 1976.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mountaineermontessori.org/wp/

Downtown ArtWalk
Thursday, May 17
5-8 p.m.

In 2012, the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk will be celebrating 10 years as the Capitol City’s premiere art event. This season promises to be even bigger, better and more exciting than before.

Check out what’s in store for Thursday’s ArtWalk.

Art Emporium
823 Quarrier Street

Bridging sculpture with photography, printmaking, painting, installation and performance, Steve Pauley’s art evolved organically from his work as a headstone carver and as a photography teacher.

His current exhibition “Rock Show,” explores engraving anamorphic images into polished granite, which are then projected onto a wall by bouncing light off the stone’s surface. Fusing the time-intensive labor of hand engraving stone and the mechanical reproduction of photography, Pauley’s current investigations include projecting that image onto light sensitive paper in a darkroom without the use of a camera or film. 

Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
900 Lee Street, Suite 1600

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation features 29 limited edition pieces of Deborah Herndon’s work ranging from photographs of French and Spanish architectural details and urban landscape (including “French Kiss Knocker,” finalist in the 67th Allied Artists Juried Competition) to one of Herndon’s more recent pieces, “Orchestra Hall, Violin Blue,” a metallic photography print/raised paint tracing on cardboard overlay.

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will also feature five jewelry designs by Faye Johnson. Johnson became interested in jewelry creation in 2007 as a result of a design class at Beadlush in Charlotte, NC. Since then, Johnson has studied under critically acclaimed designer Dan Haga, as well as jewelry maker Kim St. Jean.  She has also participated in multiple art shows in the NoDa arts district of Charlotte, NC. Johnson’s jewelry reflects her interest in metal and stringing; her work uses mixed media including clay, gemstones, and various metals.

Gallery Eleven
1033 Quarrier Street

Jo Ann Crawford is featured artist of the month at Gallery Eleven for the May ArtWalk. Her exhibit is titled “Sunflowers Red and Blue. Jo Ann has a bachelor of arts degree from West Virginia University with a masters degree from Marshall University. Her work has been selected by several corporate collections and she has received awards in four surrounding states.

House of Luxe
817 Quarrier Street

The House of Luxe will have most jewelry on clearance 50-60 percent off for the May 17th ArtWalk. Jewelry designs will be featured from Swarovski Elements, Leighelena, Marcia Moran, Hyde, Streets Ahead, Mashka and Gillian Julius.

Romano and Associates
230 Capitol Street, Suite 200

Katheryne Hawkins, a recent graduate of West Virginia State University, will feature “Frail Yet Firm.” It’s a collection of works exploring the juxtaposition of symbolic imagery and their relationship to medium and process. These metaphors are reference to the life, death, and rebirth of select flora and fauna that occur here in Appalachia.

The imagery lends itself to comparison with the process of printmaking, the fragility of the hive relates to the frailty of the papers used and the rigidity of the antlers represents the firm process of printing methods.

Delfine’s Jewelry
245 Capitol Street

Delfine’s Jewelers we will be showcasing Zultanite Gemstones for the May 17h ArtWalk. Naturally precious, Zultanite is a new color changing gemstone that is beautiful,rare, always natural and ethically mined. Zultanite’s beguiling color palette, combined with an exotic pedigree, has made it afavorite among jewelry connoisseurs around the globe.

The Charleston Ballet
100 Capitol Street

The Allied Artists of West Virginia will be partnering with the Charleston Ballet for a live studio drawing session during the May 17 ArtWalk. Images of art pieces created during the live drawing class will be posted online for voting of favorites on both the Charleston Ballet and Allied Artists Facebook pages.

Three notable judges’ votes combined with the public’s choices will determine the winning piece. A $250 prize of a Charleston Town Center Gift Card will be offered to the winner of combined judges and public voting. This winner will be announced in June during FestiVALL. Art works will need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 21, 2012 to be included in the contest.

Submitted pieces will also be on display at a public location for viewing. Viewing and voting will take place through the months of May and June. This event is also open to other WV amateur artists. Please bring your easels if you would like to use one and what you need to work with. Only tables and chairs and dancers will be provided.

Additional art selections from Allied Artists members will also be on display and for sale on Thursday May 17. The upcoming ARTWALK will take place on May 17, 2012 from 5-8 at the Charleston Ballet studios located on the mezzanine floor at 100 Capitol Street.

Mission Savvy
202 Hale Street

Mission Savvy will be selling its new collection of hand painted wooden photo blocks and “Grow Kits” – planting kits for a range of garden themes designed by local Unicorn Lane Farms.

Taylor Books
226 Capitol Street

The Annex Gallery will feature new paintings from Tiera Floyd. A native of Sutton, WV and a recent graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan University, Tiera’s new body of work, titled “Legacy of the Lines” focuses on the cracks, wrinkles, whiskers, scuffs and scraps of five senior citizens in her hometown. Tiera spent time with each of her subjects and chose to focus on specific features and gestures to capture the history and soul of each individual. The result, while excluding much of the information included in a traditional portrait, gives the viewer a much more intimate and compelling experience. Also featured will be paintings from Lewisburg based artist Mary Hurst. Her work will be on display until May 30th.

‘Women with Energy’
Elevations Professional Women’s Network Luncheon
Thursday, June 21 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Charleston Marriott Town Center

Women leaders in the natural gas, coal and related industries will share their insights on opportunities and challenges facing West Virginia’s energy sector and how they will shape the future of the Mountain State at a special Elevations luncheon, to be held Thursday, June 21, at the Charleston Marriott Town Center Ballroom.

Sharon O. Flanery, a petroleum engineer and attorney who leads the Steptoe & Johnson Energy Team, will moderate the second annual “Women with Energy,” a roundtable discussion with female business executives, lawyers, engineers and other professionals on the front lines of developments in the natural gas and coal fields.

Confirmed speakers to date include: • Shannon Ames, Director of Government Relations (US Operations), Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, Marlborough, Mass. • Maribeth Anderson, Senior Director of Corporate Development and Government Relations, Chesapeake Energy • Tania Hotmer, External Affairs Manager, AEP  The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with informal networking (optional), followed by a luncheon and program at noon.

Click here to register

Registration is $40 for Alliance members/$50 future members through June 13. Prices increase to $50 Alliance members/$60 future members after that date.

This event is presented by Steptoe & Johnson. Co-sponsors to date are AEP and NiSource. For information about sponsorships, which include admission to a VIP pre-event Meet & Greet with speakers and state leaders along with other benefits, contact Leigh Anne Stickland, lstrickland@charlestonareaalliance.org.

Click HERE for sponsorship details.

“Women with Energy” is presented with the generous support of Steptoe & Johnson.  The mission of the 1,700-member Elevations Professional Women’s Network is to “enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success.”

Through luncheons and other events featuring high-profile speakers, Elevations provides an affirmative network that connects professional women with the information, resources and contacts that helps them, their businesses and their communities succeed.

Elevations is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor DOW.  The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancelation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you.

Member Market:
By Alliance Members for Alliance Members

This “Member Market” is a paid announcement sent by the Alliance on behalf of a member to business and community leaders and young professionals.

Member Market:
By Alliance Members for Alliance Members

This “Member Market” is a paid announcement sent by the Alliance on behalf of a member to business and community leaders and young professionals.

Downtown ArtWalk ‘Spring Fling’
Saturday, May 5
Noon-4 p.m.

Enjoy a “Spring Fling” tomorrow as Downtown ArtWalk holds a special Saturday event on Cinco de Mayo.

Now in its 10th season, ArtWalk showcases downtown Charleston’s thriving art scene. This special Saturday edition will feature many downtown venues displaying extraordinary works of art.

Also, entertainment wll provided on Hale Street with local musicians performing along the sidewalks.

Check out what’s also in store for tomorrow’s ArtWalk:

Art Emporium
823 Quarrier Street

Art Emporium will be having a Sidewalk Sale with great deals on open back frames. They will also have extra discounts storewide.

All Custom Framing 50 percent off (valid on pre-paid orders only), 10 percent off any purchase storewide (may not be used on clearance items or in addition to custom framing discount).

Offers valid on Saturday May 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ONLY.

Vision’s Day Spa
238 Capitol Street

Vision’s will feature artwork by Gregg Oxley,  Keith W Johnson and Heather Kincaid.

Also featured will be photography from Jennifer Dingess, Chad Miller and Dawn Combs.

Mission Savvy
202 Hale Street

Mission Savvy will be having a Sidewalk Sale on Saturday. They will be selling their new collection of upcycled and hand painted picture boxes. Organic take-out food will be available as usual.

Taylor Books
226 Capitol Street

An “Author Showcase” will be held featuring Mike Casazza, Lisa McComb, Marilyn Sue Shank, Mary Rocini and Gina Thomas.

The showcase will occur from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other Downtown ArtWalk “Spring Fling” participating venues include:

Delfine’s Jewelry
Stray Dog Antiques
Modern by Design
The Purple Moon
Gallery Eleven
House of Luxe

Public feedback is needed in helping develop a long-range transportation plan for the Kanawha Valley. Please visit this website below to voice your input. The feedback that is recieved will be extremely valuable in identifying transportation deficiencies and formulating recommendations for the future.

To voice your opinions on transportation, please visit: www.charleston.metroquest.com