Pocahontas artists unite for support, to revive downtown

By Amy Widner

LITTLE ROCK — Artists and craftsmen with businesses in downtown Pocahontas have banded together to promote their art and support each other through the Downtown Art Association.

The group has about 15 members who do everything from make hand-woven cloth items to handmade outdoor furniture, member Mandi Tinker of Black River Beads and Pottery said.

"Our goal is to support local artists and local businesses that are involved in making local art and handmade goods. We want to provide a support system and attract new interest and new business," Tinker said. "We have a special interest in the downtown area, where there's no real interest or support system. We really want to encourage people to come back downtown."

The association hosted a member art show in the Randolph County Heritage Museum during fall 2007. They auctioned off their products to raise money for the museum. The grouphas also done some cooperative advertising and tried to strengthen their Internet presence with joint Web sites. They also promote each other by referring customers to the other members' businesses.

They plan to do more group advertising and hold another collective show at the museum in the fall. Their ultimate goal is to be able to guide artists interested in locating downtown through some of the tough times in the beginning with support and advice, and possibly monetary assistance, although the group currently does not raise funds for itself, administrator James Throgmorton said.

"That's something that I've dreamed about - to get enough participation that we could bring a new business into town and be able to support them," Throgmorton said. "I'd like to go find an artist, bring them to Pocahontas and help them to get established. It's hard to do, and you just about have to do it out of your own pockets."

Throgmorton and his wife, Cindy, started the organization about three years ago with painter Cathy Burge, their daughter, Tinker, and her husband, James. The Throgmortons own the Camera Corner Studio and have been in business in Pocahontas for 48 years.

"We just started this little cooperative organization - no officers, no money, just to promote art and encourage people to come to the downtown area," Throgmorton said.

Many of the costs, like those for the Web site, come out of Throgmorton's pocket, but he thinks it's worth it.

"We saw that the downtown area really needed a boost and we needed todo something," Throgmorton said. "We have no real connection to the Chamber or tourism department, it's just something we did on our own because we felt it needed to be done."

A few of the members do not have actual businesses downtown but sell their products through host businesses. Many are featured in Black River Beads and Pottery and restaurant The GreenTomato.

There is no cost to join the Downtown Art Association, and the activities and cooperative advertising are voluntary. New members must be approved by Throgmorton, but for those who fit the criteria - an active artist or business that is directly related to art and handmade items in downtown Pocahontas - he said all they have todo is ask.

"We've loosened the criteria a little from what the founders intended, but what we need is to get more people involved," Throgmorton said.

More information is available online at www.downtownartassociation.com, by calling (870) 892-3894 or by e-mailing jthrogmorton@gmail.com.

- awidner@arkansasonline.com

POCAHONTAS DOWNTOWN ART ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

◊Artsy Angles Art Studio and Gallery: Sells paintings and other works of art, offers art lessons.

(870) 248-0551.

◊Ava's Alpacas: Becky Baker's alpaca fiber art work on display at Black River Beads and Pot

tery. (870) 892-8143

◊Black River Beads and Pottery: Sells handmade beads, candles, pottery, jewelry and features

the work of other association members. (870) 248-0450.

◊Camera Corner Studio: Does photograph portraits, photo restoration and just about anything

photography related. (870) 892-3894.

◊The Green Tomato: Restaurant that features the work of local artists. (870) 248-9010.

◊Small Farm Fibers: Processes raw wool fiber into various forms for knitters, weavers, spin

ners, felt makers and other textile craftsmen. Also has yarn in stock made from local animals.

(870) 277-4424.

◊Cathy Burge Fine Art: Painter, who also does commission work. (870) 892-4572.

◊Sandy Robinson: Makes handmade note cards feature local scenes and does commissioned

portraits. magwaj1@suddenlink.net.

◊Jewelry by Nancy Reddick: Makes handmade jewelry on display at Black River Beads and

Pottery.

◊Opera House Jewelry: Makes custom jewelry and does repairs. (870) 892-5026.

◊Nancy Robert: Does hand-painted glassware, leaf paintings and handmade decorative items

on display at Black River Beads and Pottery.

◊Jean Pearcy: Paints original framed oil pieces on display at Black River Beads and Pottery.

◊Sue and Joey Self: Does hand-woven dishtowels, rugs, scarves and household items on

display at The Green Tomato and Black River Beads and Pottery. crkcraft@yahoo.com.

◊Pasture's Edge Fine Art: Does watercolor paintings and photography on display at Black

River Beads and Pottery.

◊Sturdy Outdoor Furniture Company: Makes handmade outdoor furniture. (870) 248-0330.

Three Rivers, Pages 53, 54 on 06/12/2008