Berkeley Springs voted #8 small art town

The list of top art destinations in America released recently by American Style magazine places Berkeley Springs, 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.

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 call 304-258-2300.