By Pat Lawrence
Rebecca Stelling |
Mountain Artisans, the WV quilting cooperative initiated by Sharon
Rockefeller in the 60’s, is credited with rousing the national
interest in American crafts. The non-profit organization of women
artisans was dissolved in 1978, but Mountain Artisans has emerged
again in the hands of West Virginia weaver, artist, and arts advocate,
Rebecca Stelling.
Rebecca’s father was a medical missionary and, until she was
eight, the family lived in India. Rebecca was surrounded by the activities
and influences of weavers, carvers and jewelry makers that encompassed
a thriving Indian cottage industry. She never outgrew her pleasure
in the colors and textures of their exotic handiwork.
Rural West Virginia needed doctors badly, so their next assignment
was Romney, WV. “We lived there 14 years and I discovered our
incredible master craftsman. I began searching them out when I was
twelve.” Rebecca created her own line of stuffed animals and
dolls, showing them at craft shows till she was 15. She remembers,
“Sharon Rockefeller came to a show in Morefield. She liked my
work and even bought a piece.”
Soon Rebecca turned her attention to jewelry making, and started selling
it locally. “Seventeen magazine had a section for products from
readers; I submitted my jewelry. They invited me to sell my earrings
in their magazine. I first learned about marketing through Seventeen.”
At 17, she decided to become a weaver. “ I researched the masters
and found two Mennonite sisters who were incredible craftswomen. I
lived with them for a week, absorbing everything I could.” Rebecca
went to auctions buying old looms and spinning wheels.. “I acquired
a museum collection of textile equipment.” Her two sisters are
also artists. With their parents support, the three girls bought property
in Romney and set up a retail shop. Rebecca was a full time weaver
at 18.
“I studied textiles at the University of Delaware and went
to the NC Penland School of Crafts, but the best experience was my
apprenticeships with craft masters.”
In 1976, Rebecca was hired as manager of the Cultural Center craft
shop. “It was a good match. I knew the artists and where they
were. I was deeply involved in developing the culture of the state
and marketing WV artists.” She met Sharon Rockefeller again.
“We shared a number of successful adventures. One special project
was a quilt for Winnie Mandela signed by the US senators.”
In 1991, Gaston Caperton wanted to do something for West Virginia
craftsmen. He asked Rebecca to help set up Tamarack. “I worked
there 10 years. It took 5 years of contacting artists, developing
the jury process, and getting ready before we could open.” She
never grew tired of the amazing artistry that she saw everyday and
was proud to promote often-unrecognized WV artists.
Still, it was a consuming job and there was never time for her personal
art. In 2001, Rebecca left Tamarack to start her own business, “a
profit making operation!” that involved promoting WV artists
and her own skills as an artist and marketing professional.
“I immediately thought of Mountain Artisans. I researched it
and trademarked the name, so it would never leave West Virginia. Then,
I called Sharon to tell her what I wanted to do. She thought it was
a wonderful idea. So, now I’m the president and owner of Mountain
Artisans.” She couldn’t be happier. “It has taken
this long to get back to where I was at 18, running my own business.”
Mountain Artisans has retail gallery space at Alex Franklin in the
Bridge Road Shops where Rebecca presents changing exhibitions of WV
artists. She’s working with artists to develop an exclusive
product line available only through Mountain Artisans. A designer
is creating her line of home furnishings. “We’re in the
product development phase. I intend to always be in the product development
phase with something!”
Since marketing is her specialty, Rebecca also takes on marketing
projects. Concerned over how few young people are pursuing craft careers,
she’s working with a local college to enhance their crafts curriculum.
And, she’s doing design work along with promoting a craft environment.
She’s especially proud of the Southern WV Community and Technical
College project. Rebecca procures work directly from artisans and
creates a decorative installation at each campus.
She has created the handmade ornaments for the WV tree at the national
Christmas tree lighting site for the past three years. This is the
event’s 80th anniversary, so Rebecca plans to reflect the state’s
history by showcasing WV women from the past 80 years.
She’s ready to get started. “The best atmosphere for
creativity must be entrepreneurship. Working with creative people
is what I live for, but having my own business is the most exciting
thing I’ve ever done.”
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