All About the Morgan Arts Council
The official arts council of Morgan County, MAC has more than 450 individual and family members. MAC is governed by an elected board of artists and business people and staffed by a professional arts management team. A corps of dedicated volunteers work in all areas, from booking artists to curating gallery shows to staffing the box office at concerts and plays. New volunteers are always welcome. Financial support derives from West Virginia Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts grants, as well as other grantors: hotel/motel taxes, fundraising activities, membership fees and admissions.
MAC events include the popular Summer Concert in the Park series, Ice House Concerts, Arts Integration and Adopt-a-School programs in the Morgan County Schools, community theater productions, literary festivals, gallery shows, visual arts classes for adults and children, public art projects, media classes on videography, broadcasting and film, dance and movement classes, storytellers, and festivals.
MAC launched two new projects in 2014, Engage Berkeley Springs involves community members and visitors of all ages in co-creating public works of art under the guidance of professional artists. The Digital Media Center for Community Engagement (DMC) provides classes and creates original programming to be broadcast on the newly established PEG channel with Comcast and is streamed over the internet.
All these activities — and more — are aimed at Getting Art Out There and accomplishing MAC’s stated mission:
The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) offers a world of artistic
creativity that brings inspiration and joy within
a welcoming environment for all.
Morgan Arts Council Board of Directors
Board Members
Mary Hott, President
Carly Swaim, Vice President
Cindy Bodin, Treasurer
LeeAnn Brannon, Secretary
Meghan Bauman
Adriane Burton
Jane Frenke
Sabrena J. Funk
Matt Hahn
Jennifer Hughes
Jane McCloud
Daniel Pavsek
Susan Thomas
Chuck Walker
Staff Members
Jordan Warren, Executive Director
Eddy Rubin, Events & Facilities Manager
Janet Tuch, Office Administrator
Jill Klein Rone, Concert and School Coordinator
MAC History
Established at a public meeting in May 1977, the non-profit Morgan Arts Council has produced more than a thousand programs with nearly 2500 artists, benefitting thousands of visitors and residents, including students in all county schools. Presentations have included concerts, art workshops, pageants, craft studio tours, professional art shows, storytellers, theater and video festivals.
MAC’s leadership extends beyond arts programming. In 1993, MAC hosted the first West Virginia Arts Assembly. In 1995, it brought a Benedum Foundation project to the area, which provided $80,000 in project grants to 39 groups and organizations, from the Humane Society to the Boys and Girls Club. In 2000, MAC directed the development of a county cultural and recreation plan.
Today, MAC continues to grow its base of programs and activities.
Funders and Supporters
Major operational funding support has been provided by:
West Virginia Commission on the Arts, National Endowment of the Arts, Hotel/Motel Tax Morgan County and Town of Bath, Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, The Tom & Virginia Seely Foundation, CNB, and other generous supporters.
The Ice House ~~ “A Cool Place for Hot Art”
History of the Ice House
For nearly 20 years, the Morgan Arts Council was a gypsy organization, “getting art out there” wherever there was space. That changed in June 1996 when U.S. Borax gifted MAC with a 40,000 square foot former storage building in the center of Berkeley Springs.
Built circa 1910 to store apples, the four-floor yellow brick building had other uses through the 20th century including a furniture store, health club and teen center. Renovation is ongoing. Nearly $900,000 has been invested in space renovation, upgrading utilities and providing universal access. The first floor now has an Event Space, two galleries, retail art shop, a wet classroom, break room and MAC office. The second floor houses the Digital Media Center for Community Engagement, movement studio, two additional galleries, wet classroom and community meeting space. Construction has been funded by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, HUD, Benedum Foundation grants as well as individual and business donations. Donors are immortalized in the Legacy Vine painting by Maryelen Willinghan that hangs in the Mercer Street Lobby and through naming opportunities for rooms and space at the Ice House.
The Ice House Development Fund has been established to raise funds for continued renovation. Operation of the Ice House is to be self-sustaining. Existing space is rented for community activities as well as being used by MAC.
Literally thousands of people have enjoyed, bought, practiced and made art in the Ice House since its acquisition. The future promises even more.
The Legacy Vine in the Petersen Lobby by Maryelen Willinghan.
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