In 1979, P. T. Pennington approached McDowell County poet-writer, Jean Battlo and said, “Let's start a community theater and you write the play so we won't have to pay a royalty.”

That was the origin of what is now McArts Fine Arts Organization, Inc. Battlo, who had never written a play before, even asked Pennington what to write about. He suggested she write about Italian immigrants to the coal fields at the 20 th Century. The result, entitled “ Far Mountains ” was read by a group of friends who suggested it be performed and in the summer of 1979, a group of local friends performed the play for over 1500 people in six performances. Initially, the organization was simply, McArts Players, established with co-founders, Battlo, Lisa Colombo Shumate, Irene Earnest and Moe Seay.

That was to be the sum of the initial play. Battlo continued to pursue the new genre and subsequently her original work, “#8” was a finalist in several national competitions, including the O'Neill and was optioned by off Off-Broadway company in NY. She became a writer in residence with Theater West Virginia in 1986, and as her plays were being widely performed around the state, requests were made that more of them be performed in McDowell County , so McArts Players began to perform two, sometimes three plays a year. “Appalachian Dawn”, a musical was performed with Lisa's dance studio and McDowell County was provided with dinner theater through the mid-90s.

By the mid-90s, Battlo's work had been recognized with several awards in the state and so she began to request funding to present arts and cultural events in McDowell County . As the other founders had left the region by that time, Battlo continued to develop McArts alone as artistic director. With no funding at all, the shoestring players, in the Shakespearean tradition, performed for the dinner, in this case, the next dinner theater. With the meager proceeds that were made from the plays, the players produced their next production. Additionally, Battlo was able to bring in professional friends who while visiting her, performed or presented their work to the community and schools.

Among these were: New England folk singer, Lester Hirsch: dancer Lisa deBoer (TN), formerly with Theater West Virginia and their Brazial tour: WV poet laureate, Irene McKinney; Maggie Anderson, poet and head of Wick poetry project at Kent University; Barbara Smith, fiction and short story writing; poet, songwriter, Colleen Anderson; Rhondda Wallace, Equity director; Danny Boyd, renown WV filmmaker, and McDowell County's noted novelist, Denise Giardini.

During the years, Battlo has had a number of supporters which varied with each event. In 1996, when McArts Fine Arts Organization was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization, the board has been more formalized. Currently: President: Joe Gonzales: Vice Presidents: Reba Honaker and Alvin Cline; Treasurer: Mary Lou Odum. Battlo, Odum and Honaker are the executive directors on financial decision. Markella Gianato also acts on arts and cultural decisions.

With the money that McArts began to receive from the WV legislature, as well as proceed from sales, tickets, etc, the organization has been able to provide even more productions and presentations during the opening of the 21 st Century. These include: WV actress, Karen Vuranch who has performed a number of her one-act shows for McArts: actor, Gene Worthington: John Lilly, winner of the 2005, Hank Williams Song Writing Competition; African-American actor, Joseph Bundy who performs through the Humanities Foundation, as well as several local talents including Alan Johnston and his band; Penny Justice, Delbert Kiser and Joe Ford.

In December, 2004, McArts took its longest tentative step forward. Through the suggestions of Cheryl Hartley, of Tamarack, McArts pursued funding to begin making coal figurines. In the first year of discussions and meetings with Hartley, McDowell County EDA's Rachel Lester and the McArts board, and through McArt's quixotic fund-finder, Senator John Pat Fanning, $50,000 was awarded to begin the project. With Hartley and other board members, it was decided that rather than find and make standard figurines from ready molds, the group would attempt to work with original figurine models. (See, Coal Camp Creations for complete details.) In August, 2005, Battlo created the first character, Mac Dowell to be a mascot tribute to the coal miners of the county. The first one has been created, and CCC is in the process of commissioning new artists to create new figurines and objects.

For 27 years McArts has been developing and with the advent of the first decade of the 21 st Century, the central focus and thrust is forward to the future.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE



Joe Gonzales
Joe Gonzales was instrumental in the formation of McArts.  He passed away in October of 2006.  McArts misses his smiling face and constant support with productions and financial affairs.  Joe, a Vietnam veteran and retired teacher, was active in the community activities.
We love you and miss you Joe!

Jean Battlo is the local teacher-author who founded McArts.  She is often seen working with Coal Camp Creations, watching play practice, or sitting in her garden dreaming up her next play.



John and Maria Cox are veteran actors who come back each summer to star in 'Terror of the Tug'.  They also take part in others McArts adventures.

Become a part of McArts today!

Call (304) 585-7107
McArts
Box 415
Kimball, WV  24853