A Staged Disappearance

OK. I admit it. I, Artie, staged my own disappearance. I have literally been a "monkey on the lam" for the last four years. I got the idea from the Colbert Report. It was exciting at first, but after time, it seems no one missed me anymore. So my question is, is there a place anymore in this world for a blogging sock monkey; or, do I need my own Facebook page to be relevant? Should I return to my old job as spokesmonkey for Tamarack? Do you think they will have me back? I wonder...

Where's ARTIE?

A week has passed and Artie is still missing. Tamarack sock monkeys are beginning to become concerned for his safety. A new message has come that says:

"Artie is safe...for now. If you want him returned unharmed, you will follow our instructions to the letter. You will receive another message soon."

Please, can any one help us find Artie?

CH

Monkey-napped!

Oh, no! Artie is missing! I returned from a meeting at Arrowmont in Tennessee to discover that he had been monkey-napped!

I received this photo of Artie, bound and gagged, being held at the point of a plastic knife. The anonymous note says:

"We have Artie!! Don't call the cops! You will be instructed what to do!"

Oh dear, I am so worried. The last time I saw Artie was Friday night one week ago at the Tamarack Fine Art Gallery opening for the Wildlife show.

Who would do such a thing? Can anyone help me find Artie? Tamarack will be lost without him...

Sincerely,

Cheryl Hartley

Artie Goes to Canada

Hello, everybody! I'm off to Calgary for the CODA Conference. CODA stands for Craft Organization Development Association (http://www.codacraft.org/). It is a gathering for people who help promote craft and its makers to the world. Mrs. Hartley is letting me go because I have been such a big help to her in my capacity as sock monkey advocate.

I will be in Canada for ten days because I also am going to have a vacation in Banff. I wonder if I will see other sock monkeys on the trip.

If you are going to CODA too, I hope to see you there!

Artie

Artie Reflects

Hello! I'm sorry that I haven't blogged for a while. I was very sad that there were people who were saying bad things about Tamarack. They seemed to be missing the point that Tamarack creates a positive image for the state of West Virginia, provides jobs and brings money into the state from tourism. And it isn't only sock monkeys that benefit, people do too!

Mrs. Hartley, Tamarack's general manager, said that I need to leave my blues behind me. She told me that there will always be people who want to tear things down instead of build them up. She also reminded me that I have always been proud of my association with Tamarack. I remain inspired by all the creative hands that are part of Tamarack.

Artie

Homer Hickam Visits Tamarack

It isn't every day that I get to meet a real West Virginia hero, but yesterday I did! Homer Hickam signed his books at Tamarack and, of course, I assisted with crowd control. I forgot to tell Homer that I'm a writer, too. I have written my story about how I came to live at Tamarack. It may not be as good as "Rocket Boys", but it's a pretty exciting story in its own way. Do you know that Homer comes back to West Virginia every year for the October Sky Festival in Coalwood? Maybe someday they will invite me to visit.
Artie

Backyard Barbecue

This weekend we had a cookout at Tamarack! While I don't usually eat hamburgers, the people sure seemed to enjoy them, and the barbecue, too. My personal favorite was the roast corn. We had nice, hot July weather for four days. Now, it's pouring outside. I'm sure glad that the storm didn't roll in until we were finished out there! Tamarack's staff did a great job. Chef Jamie said we can do it again on Labor Day, if the weather is cooperative.

This photo shows Chris Canfield flipping those burgers.

Mountain State Art and Craft Fair

There is nothing I enjoy more than a great craft fair - and that's what Mountain State Art and Craft Fair is. I've been going for years, and I never tire of it. It takes place every year in Ripley, WV, over the July 4th holiday!

Here are some of the new friends that I made at the fair this year. From left to right: Bill Meadows takes a liking to me; Susan and Rick Bisgyer, Ridgetop Pottery; Judith Miller with her award winning video, The Captives; Chad Pitts, Art Attacks and Strokes (glass beads); Chad and me, monkeying around!

Artie

Artie Speaks (sort of)

Hello everybody! I have been so busy. I can't wait to tell you about what I've been doing. For one thing, I've been writing my life story. It's much more exciting than you may think. I am preparing for my first speaking engagement. I have been invited to go to Peterstown, WV, in Monroe County to meet the children in the summer program there. I hope Mrs. Hartley, my scheduler, is able to work things out.

Recently, I also attended a Leadership West Virginia luncheon at Tamarack. The day before, I went with Mrs. Hartley to Summersville for the Building Creative Communities Caucus.

Best of all, the Charleston Daily Mail sent a photographer this week to take my photo. I may be in the newspaper soon! I hope they say nice things about me and how hard I work to be a good role model for sock monkeys everywhere. I found Tom Hindman, the photographer, to be very convivial. It is surprising, though, how demanding all that posing can be.

Artie Returns

Hi, everbody! I'm back! I hope you missed me just like I missed all of you.



I spent the winter in Akumal, Mexico, south of Cancun. The climate was fabulous, but I love West Virginia, and I began to get homesick toward the end.



I made a new friend at the Oasis - a towel elephant. He was my kind of party animal! Nothing like hanging out at the pool with the towel pachyderm!



I worked on my tan and practiced my Spanish. I feel I did a good job of assimilating to the culture. Naturally, very few people had met a West Virginia sock monkey, so I consider this trip as fulfilling my mission to promote West Virginia around the world.



I am hoping to join First Lady Gayle Manchin on a trade mission the next time she needs a Spanish translator. I think that would be muy bien!

Nos vemos en Tamarack!

Su amigo,
Artie

Sock Santa

Yes, West Virginia Sock Monkey, there is a Sock Claus.

He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Sock Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no West Virginia Sock Monkeys. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Sock Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Sock Claus, but even if you did not see Sock Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Sock Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Sock Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, West Virginia Sock Monkey, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Sock Claus?Thank God he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, West Virginia Sock Monkey, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
Artie

'Tis the Season...

Now, I admit I've been on a leave of absence for a while. I hope I haven't disappointed any of my friends out there. The fall is always a blur of activity here at Tamarack. We have Renaissance Faire, the Tamarack Foundation Gala, Mountain Stage and the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, all within six weeks. I needed a little time off and insisted that the humans at Tamarack fend for themselves for a while.

But, I was back today with renewed enthusiasm for my job. West Virginia's First Lady, Gayle Manchin, came to Tamarack today for the presentation of the 2005 Limited Edition Governor's Mansion Ornament. This special ornament has been designed and crafted by glass artisan Doug Coleman of New Martinsville, WV. The Christmas tree looks just beautiful with the ornaments on it. Jen did a lovely job with it.

I spent time with the First Lady in Washington, D.C., last month and learned that she has the kindest soul. Just as importantly, she is full of imagination. She has no problem making a sock monkey feel relaxed in her presence. If I weren't needed so badly here at Tamarack, I would have no problem signing up to be the official sock monkey of the West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Anyway, I missed having my picture taken with Mrs. Manchin in D.C., but I was able to have the honor today.

Artie

Tamarack Foundation Gala

Giacomo wants me to tell you about the Tamarack Foundation Gala to be held at the Tamarack Conference Center this Saturday night. I will do even better, on Giacomo's behalf, I will extend the invitation that follows:

Carnivale
Join us in celebrating the arts,
cuisine and culture of Venice.
Your attendance and support will benefit the Tamarack
Foundation Artisan Relief Program and education and
training opportunities to help strengthen and preserve
our artisan entrepreneurial communities.

Saturday, October 29, 2005
6:30 pm
The Terrace and Ballroom
Tamarack, Beckley, West Virginia

Serenaded by violinist Adam DeGraff and pianist Lynn Wright,
enjoy delicious canapés while browsing generously donated works
of leading Tamarack artisans at the silent auction.
Master of Ceremonies, Larry Groce, welcomes renowned auctioneer,
Ken Farmer, of Antiques Road Show for an exciting live limited-item auction.*
Experience the culinary cuisine of Venice as presented by The Greenbrier.
Dance to the multi-talented Soul Doctors,
led by Tamarack’s juried artist, Steve Payne.
Black tie optional. Masks encouraged.
* Visit www.tamarackwv.com for a gallery of auction items.

Giacomo says he hopes to see you there!

Artie

Sharing a Favorite Photo from Ren Faire

Hello! I've been very busy with a trip to D.C. and Bridge Day, so I've not had time to blog. I did want to share another favorite photo from Tamarack's Renaissance Faire. I donned a veil and hung out with the belly dancers for a little while.
Artie