Tamarack, on I-77 at Beckley, WV, is the state's premier showcase for fine arts, handcrafts, and
Appalachian cuisine. Under the West Virginia Parkways Economic Development Authority, Governor
Gaston Caperton commissioned the facility to promote the state's artists, crafts people, and the arts and
crafts market. Opened in 1996, Tamarack includes demonstration areas for each art and craft type as
well as galleries, sales space, and an auditorium that serves performance artists.
The center is the culmination of years of planning. It is also the collective vision of artisans, agriculturists,
business leaders, community members and public officials from every county in the state, including the
state's biggest craft business advocate, Governor Gaston Caperton.
Tamarack was created to boost the state's economy by fostering a market-driven approach to selling
West Virginia-made products. The people behind the project hope Tamarack will become not only a
tourist destination, but that it will expand local job opportunities.
The new facility is the focal point of the Tamarack distribution system, which markets West Virginia-made
products across the state. It is expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors each year.
According to officials, Tamarack is the nation's first and only statewide collection of handmade crafts,
working art studios, a 200-seat theater, herb and sculpture gardens and West Virginia foods, all under
one roof.
When Governor Caperton first took office in 1989, he began looking for ways to create more jobs in West
Virginia. In particular, he wanted to expand tourism and take advantage of the state's abundance of fine,
handmade crafts, art, and food products. He set out to create an impressive showcase for these
products, the best the state had to offer.
After enlisting the help of the state's Parkway Authority, one of the first initiatives was to transform
highway rest stops into "travel plazas" offering tourist information in addition to West Virginia-made
products. Sales skyrocketed, setting the stage for a more extensive distribution program. Soon state
parks and specialty shops all over West Virginia were encouraged to help promote the products. The
Tamarack distribution system was officially established in 1991. The system, and later the center, got its
name from the Tamarack tree, which is known for its strength, versatility and beauty.
When it became clear that the state needed a central junction to coordinate the widespread talent,
officials decided to build the Tamarack center. Committed to building a world-class facility, the state
invested $16 million in the construction of Tamarack. Beckley was chosen as the site of the center,
because of its proximity to Interstates 64 and 77. Beckley is also a key destination for local travelers and
out-of-state tourists.
The center is expected to create hundreds of jobs and raise more than $5 million in revenues in its first
year.
The 59,000-foot complex, built in a circular quilt pattern, is now home to craft galleries and working
studios of glass artists, potters, sculptors, weavers and other craftspeople. Not only will artisans use the
center to create and sell their work, but they'll get the chance to demonstrate their crafts to children and
other tourists.
The center is taking a cooperative approach to a business idea, the result of a multi-level partnership
among state government, artisans, agricultural producers and community leaders.
Tamarack also represents a collaborative effort among the people of West Virginia and local, state and
national representatives to preserve their culture and heritage, and promote the state's attractions.
Over half a million visitors tour the complex annually, shopping through the largest West Virginia selection
of quilts, pottery, furniture, ironwork, hand-blown glass, and hundreds of other lines of arts and handicrafts.
