For the third year, the Berkeley Arts Council in collaboration with the Heritage Craft Center of the Eastern Panhandle and Artberkeley will be organizing a Holiday Art and Craft Market in downtown Martinsburg. The market is planned to be open from Friday, November 23 through Christmas.

The market is seeking artists and artisans to show and sell their work during the Holiday shopping period from Friday, November 23 through Christmas. All work must be locally produced and hand-made.

The market will be organized co-op style, with participants sharing the responsibility for sitting in the gallery. There is a $30 fee to join and there will be a 20% commission on all sales. Details can be found on the Berkeley Arts Council web site at http://www.berkeleyartswv.org/Holidays.php.  Email berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-596-0873 with questions.

Carrying out their mission to Amplify the Arts, the Berkeley Arts Council this week announced its first round of grants to help arts and organizations realize their artistic ambitions.

Three projects have been selected to receive financial support for their activities.

Sculpture in Downtown Martinsburg:  Lee Badger of Anvil Works created an interactive sculpture titled “Comma” that will be returning to its “home base” at the Caperton Train Station with installation scheduled for Saturday, October 27. The City of Martinsburg, the MBC-CVB and the “For the Kids” Children’s Museum collaborated on the project.

 Drama Club at South Middle School: This afterschool activity for 6th, 7th and 8th graders will provide an opportunity to learn various aspects of theater production, performing a one act play and even entering a competition.

Berkeley Community Chorus: Rehearsals are underway with a chorus group of about 30 singers under the direction of Jeffery Poland, former choral director at Fairmont State University. A holiday concert takes place on December 1 at Martinsburg High School.

A second opportunity to apply for community arts grants will be announced in November. Projects are being sought that will expand availability and accessibility of the arts within Berkeley County; involve young people in the arts; provide arts experiences to new or underserved audiences; use the arts in an innovative way to enhance community life; show collaboration among two or more organizations and/or individuals. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2013. Inquire by email to berkeleyartswv at gmail.com.

“Amplify the Arts” grants are presented by the Berkeley Arts Council with financial assistance from the WV Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. Matching funds contributed by the community are essential to continue and enlarge the program and contributions may be made through http://www.berkeleyartswv.org or by mail to Berkeley Arts Council, Inc. P.O. Box 984, Martinsburg, WV  25402.

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