Allegany Museum to house creative arts center

Nov. 25—CUMBERLAND — Allegany Museum officials have developed plans for the construction of an interactive creative arts center on the building's lower level.

The center will be constructed on 4,000-square-feet of space and feature Appalachian regional art from chainsaw sculptures, quilting, ceramics, jewelry making, folk art and painting to the performing arts, which will exhibit the region's top musical talent.

Design plans for the Mountain Maryland Traditional Arts Creative Center have been completed and museum management staff is in the process of securing grants and raising funds for the build out.

"We are very excited about the center," said Vic Rezendes, museum vice president. "It's designed to be multi-use. We envision the space being used in different ways for work shops, demonstrations, performances, classes, exhibits. It will trace the history but it's still a living art and it continues to morph and take on new ideas and we hope to show that."

The center is being developed in collaboration with Frostburg State University and Kara Rogers Thomas, sociology professor and director of folklore and folklife programming.

"We are very pleased to have FSU and Kara working with us to make this a very special place to showcase Appalachian artisans," said Rezendes.

The new center will go beyond displays and exhibits to include interactive stations and an educational component, including performances from regional artists.

"Our design concept has been approved by the Maryland Historical Trust," said Rezendes. "We already have approval of the HVAC system that is going in. We are now waiting for approval on the final design on our glass panels and things like that. Once that is done we can get our estimate on what it costs to build it out."

"There are two phases ahead, one is the construction and remodeling of the space, which is the doors, lights and painting," said Chris Sloan, the center's chief designer. "The next phase is development of the content."

Located at 3 Pershing St., the museum is housed in a four-story building constructed in 1932. Museum founders purchased the building in 1999 from Allegany County.

Plans for the center will include famous musical artists that came from Western Maryland.

The center will feature displays and digital content from Joe Maphis, the country music star who grew up in Cumberland on Virginia Avenue. Known as the "King of the Strings," Maphis (1921-1986) was a virtuoso guitarist who played over a dozen instruments. After a career on the radio at WRVA in Richmond, Virginia, and TV in Los Angeles, Maphis and his wife Rose Lee Maphis of Clear Spring, moved to Nashville in 1968 and became regulars on the Grand Ole Opry.

"There is a ton of stuff of Joe Maphis on YouTube and it's amazing stuff to watch," said Sloan. He said some of the high-energy guitar duets Maphis did on TV's "Town Hall Party" in the 1950's with 11-year-old child guitar prodigy Larry Collins are a delight. "It's awesome and would be great for kids to see that."

Joe and Rose Lee Maphis also penned the tune, "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)" which became a top country hit in 1954. The song was recorded over the years by more than 50 artists including Dwight Yoakam, Barbara Mandrell, Daryle Singletary, Vern Gosdin, Flatt & Scruggs, John Prine & Amanda Shires, Conway Twitty and more.

Rezendes said the museum has footage of more than 40 Western Maryland artisans filmed by Michael O. Snyder, which will also be on display.

The center will feature the work of artist Don Cook, who grew up in Midland.

"He was a noted artist, a sculptor, painter, poet and he also taught at Maryland Institute College of Arts," said Rezendes. "... Because he grew up in Midland, most of his art was heavily influenced by the coal mining region and George's Creek."

The center will house a replica of Cook's studio so children can see the environment artists works in.

Rezendes said the museum will include an area where local artists can exhibit or demonstrate.

"The notion is of an educational center as well," said Rezendes. "We want to actually have the artisans come in and have classes for kids. They can learn about Mountain Maryland arts but it will include actual hands-on experiences."

Museum officials hope construction of the center will get underway in the spring. The museum staff is currently entering a fundraising phase and are expecting to offer a Community Investment Tax Credit through the Maryland Housing Authority.

"These arts that originated and are vibrant in this area are still alive and well," said Sloan. "We have a rich art community, not just visual arts but music, drama, poetry and folk art. What we want to communicate is that this is still alive and has deep roots. Artists are all around."

For more information on the museum, including how to donate, visit AlleganyMuseum.org.

Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.