Tamarack Foundation Fellowship

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Tamarack Foundation Fellowship Award

The Tamarack Foundation Fellowship is the highest award offered by the Foundation. In October 2007, three Tamarack artisans were awarded $2,500 each to recognize artistic excellence, accomplishment, dedication to discipline, lifelong community achievement and involvement in promoting and fostering the arts. Applications for 2008 must be postmarked by June 30, 2008. For more information about the Foundation’s Fellowship program contact Sally Barton, Executive Director of the Tamarack Foundation at 304-926-3770.

Recipients of the 2007 Fellowship Awards were announced at the annual Fine Art and Craft Gala held at the Tamarack Conference Center on October 27, 2007. Winners were Keith Lahti, Mik Wright and duo Robin Hammer and Chris Dutch.

2007 Tamarack Foundation Fellowship Winner Keith Lahti

Keith Lahti

For 30 years Keith Lahti has created custom-made cremation urns to honor the memory of beloved family members, friends, or pets. “These urns … are made one at a time, with no molds, and will not be duplicated,” he says. “My intent … is to infuse a sense of ancient mystery and ritual into our fast-paced and technology-oriented lives. They embody an undefined hint of the sacred and mystical, which we all carry in our mental archetypes and genetic accumulations.”

According to Lahti, his earthenware ceramic pieces are “meditative reminders of our connection to other times and cultures…showing intricate surface textures and layers of patinas.”

In stoneware Lahti says he strives for grace and texture, using multiple glazes that he blends by melting as a primary decorative element, reflecting the flows observed in nature.

Foundation funding will help finance a new kiln for Keith, which will increase the amount of work he can fire at one time, and allow space for firing larger pieces.

Mik Wright

Creating Those Shoes takes as many steps, excuse the pun, as there are weeks in a year. But in spite of the time it takes for art to meet comfort and style, Mik Wright’s unusual footwear has been wildly popular for over 30 years.

Mik's path led him from Africa to a mountainous rural farm in Lewis County, and eventually to Tamarack where he realized The Best of West Virginia was a perfect fit for marketing and selling Those Shoes.

Natural leathers decorated with hand-painted scenes are sewn to soles made from recycled tires into colorful shoes, clogs, handbags, change purses, and more no two ever alike. Custom creations, where the buyer suggests a design, are among his sales leaders. And regardless of what Mik's other ideas for a business name, the most obvious stuck, like gum to the bottom of: Those Shoes.

As Mik has grown his business, he has outgrown his workspace. A Tamarack Foundation Fellowship will help make expansion possible because there’s nothing more uncomfortable than outgrowing your shoes.

Chris Dutch and Robin Hammer

Collaboration is king with Chris Dutch and Robin Hammer, two artists whose shared interest in wood and metal furniture art has developed into a rewarding 12-year partnership for both men. Dutch, a stained glass artist, and Hammer, a painter, blends their shared inspiration into multilayered creations.

Often asked about who takes the lead, and if arguments happen, the pair explains their work together as an artistic duet, much like the instruments in a band blend into a song.

Over weekly lunches with ideas scratched on a napkin, they build art from a drawing created together. One drawing begets another, editing ensues, and construction then begins where the two divide their creative tasks. Sometimes even the simplest of questions, for example, “What color?” leads to intense inspiration. The end result always amazes them both.

Dutch and Hammer will use their fellowship award to purchase equipment and materials to further their collaborative work. “We both do other art,” explains Robin Hammer, “but we really like to have fun, and this never gets old.”

Funding for the fellowships was provided by a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. Other foundation programs include mentoring, apprenticeships, equipment leasing, professional development and relief aid. The Artisan Resource Center located in Beckley is another successful Foundation project cooperatively supported by Mountain State University, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Carter Family Foundation and the Beckley Small Business Development Center. West Virginia artisans receive assistance in website development and design, marketing opportunities and business planning. Reciepents of the 2006 Fellowships were Julie Adams - Performing Arts, Jeff Fetty - Metal Artisan and Jim Probst - Furniture Maker.

If you have other questions, please call the Tamarack Foundation Office at (304) 926-3770.

Fellowship Application 2008.pdf