For Immediate Release: 5/20/10
MORGAN ARTS COUNCIL
Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org
www.berkeleysprings.com
press contact only: Jeanne Mozier 304-258-4248

Photos available on request


BERKELEY SPRINGS VOTED #8 ART DESTINATION IN U.S.A.


BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The list of top art destinations in America 
released recently by American Style magazine places Berkeley Springs, 
WV at #8 among small cities and towns, the smallest in population of 
the top 25. “It’s our ninth year on the list and we once again made 
the top 10," said Jeanne Mozier, local arts promoter. Asheville and 
Sante Fe top the list but Berkeley Springs ranked higher than many 
notable places including Boulder and Aspen, Colorado; Chapel Hill and 
Annapolis. “We were #7 for the past two years but then Sarasota moved 
up, " said Mozier. "Berkeley Springs continues to be the only town in 
West Virginia to make the list."

The list is compiled from votes cast by the public. Berkeley Springs 
competes in the category of under 100,000 population. The complete 
list in all three size categories can be found on the magazine’s 
website: www.americanstyle.com

Berkeley Springs making a national list has benefits beyond bragging 
rights. “Many visitors come to Berkeley Springs specifically because 
it is known as an art town. They seek out the galleries and want to 
know where there is live music,” says Laura Smith, administrator of 
Travel Berkeley Springs, the local visitors center. “We start getting 
calls in March wanting to know who is performing during the summer 
concerts in the park.”

Mozier asserted that being a nationally recognized art town also has 
an impact on economic development since individuals and companies 
looking to relocate want places with a rich cultural scene. “Being 
known as a creative town is one of the most important assets Berkeley 
Springs has to compete in the new economy,” she said. The national 
ranking gives validation to the Morgan Arts Council's (MAC) latest 
venture -- the newly released portal webpage that brands Berkeley 
Springs as a creative community and a "hot spot for cool living."

“The local art scene has always been robust," says Mozier, "but in 
the year since the last voting, some amazing events have happened 
especially in music. 'Asleep at the Wheel' drew hundreds of people 
and the local roots concert was very well received." Mozier is 
pleased that the rating announcement came this month. "Someone 
visiting Berkeley Springs now would be delighted," she said, citing 
the annual Quilt Show, the Yard-Square Quilts hanging all over town 
and the spring Studio Tour. "The local music scene has also expanded 
with several active locations almost every weekend." Mozier claimed 
that on some weekends, art density prevails. "That means based on 
percentage of the population, there are more folks in Berkeley Springs 
experiencing art than in Manhattan."

As with major metropolitan areas that include large budget items for 
cultural development, widespread public and corporate financial 
support is a key part of Berkeley Springs’ success. "A thriving arts 
scene needs artists but it also needs the kind of strong support we 
have from the local newspaper, corporate sponsors, local government 
and our loyal audience," said Mozier. "The arts important are to the 
future of the area and nothing shows that better than investing money 
in the arts and arts organizations."

For more information on Morgan County arts activities check www.macicehouse.org 
or call 304-258-2300.