Special
Features / June-July 2008
Peace from Within
Starting off her day with yoga and meditation, Pamela Martino, Executive Director of ArtsBridge, believes that peace comes from within.
Pamela is an ever moving, ever changing person who has a mesmerizing air about her.
She is well balanced, well educated, and well centered. Creativity, thinking, planning, visualizing, brainstorming, focusing, and developing the ‘new’ is Pamela’s essence.
Artsbridge had its beginnings in 1986 when 250 citizens, representing a broad cross-section of the community, got together to formulate a Cultural Action Plan for the Mid-Ohio Valley. From that comprehensive plan emerged Artsbridge, the arts service agency for Wood County, West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio.
Goals and objectives were reviewed and updated in 2006, and a new strategic plan was created and implemented for 2007 through 2010. ArtsBridge has offices in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Marietta, Ohio, with a staff of five people.
ArtsBridge’s main objective is to bring the best arts to the most people. Artsbridge’s strategic plan has three key focuses: arts in education, art programs, and innovation in the arts.
According to Pamela, Each year over 16,000 students in Wood County, WV and Washington County, OH participate in arts programs including their Catalog of 25 local artists who make visits into the schools to showcase/teach their particular art form, and their Tours-in-the-Schools where three professional performing tours visit the schools. We continue to support seven arts groups in both counties as well as individual artists who need our help. In addition, we sponsor the Mayor’s Music Series, Very Special Arts festival, Marietta Merchants and Artists Walk, and others. We are completing our newest project - The Labyrinth Project - that was funded by the Sisters of St Joseph Charitable Fund and integrated spirituality and the arts using the labyrinth as the tool. This project has been a wonderful addition to what we already do in our community,” Pam explained.
Pamela is also involved in “Create WV” which is for one primary purpose: to equip local leaders in developing their own New Economy. This includes how to attract and develop the talented individuals required to create the ‘new economy’ businesses. This includes improving broadband coverage, increasing PC usage in communities, developing e-government services, encourage children to obtain college degrees, strategic ways to partner with colleges and universities, and how to improve K-12 school’s ability to produce students that will be able to function and prosper in the 2lst Century, providing education regarding diversity, improve the cultural, recreational and social amenities to attract and retain talented people within our communities, and how toconnect resources to needs to make this all possible.
One of the things that Pamela is most proud is that she is a Kripalu Meditation teacher at the Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The Kripalu Center was formed in 1966 to promote yoga and uplift the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals. For 40 years, Kripalu has remained a place where people come together to deeply inquire into the core issues of life, explore new and healthier ways of being, and put inspiration into practice.
Pam as well as the Kripalu’s mission remains committed to teaching the art and science of yoga, an approach consistently proven to uplift individuals and benefit society. The techniques of yoga integrate body, mind, and spirit, helping both individuals and groups flourish and perform at peak levels.
Pamela has an undergraduate degree in Art & English from Fairmont State College and a Master Degree in English from West Virginia University. Pamela was a teacher at West Virginia University for several years prior to becoming the Executive Director of ArtsBridge.
This comes as no surprise to those who know Pamela -- research and developing new and innovative ways and/or projects where she can be most creative is what she enjoys the most in her job. “I like unique and different things that would bring some value to the community through the arts. It is also my job to find the funding to support these new and existing art programs and projects. I meet with executives throughout the Mid Ohio Valley explaining the goals and objectives of ArtsBridge and asking for their support,” she said. Pamela also writes grants and looks for alternative types of funding for her projects.
Pamela’s creativity doesn’t stop at the end of her business day. Pamela is also a jewelry designer and has her own small business called “Spirit”. Her designs are high-end, well-made inspiring pieces that all have meaning to them. She also does collage and is how working on a piece that is wooden crosses.
Pamela believes in balance in the world and especially in creating balance in life. “Balance is really achieved by choosing what is really important to you in your life,” she said. I also believe in ‘sustainability’. I’m a locavore – I buy local and I eat local. I buy and eat a healthy diet that is natural and organic. I believe in simplifying life as much as you can. You don’t have to buy everything you see or own everything that your neighbor owns,” she said.
“I suggest that you look at ways to make things simpler in every part of your life. Keep things light and don’t be so consumed with control and demands. I lost both my mom and my dad within 5 months of each other. Life goes by quickly. I wake up each morning and I make a decision to (1) spend the day mad, angry, hateful, worrying and complaining, or (2) spend the day thankful, happy, and doing great things for myself and my community. I choose Option 2 every morning!”
Pamela Martino is the Executive Director of Artsbridge with offices in Parkersburg, WV, and Marietta, OH. Telephone: (304) 428-3988.
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