Exporter Profiles

MountainMade
PO Box 660
Thomas , WV 26292
877-MTN-MADE
(877-686-6233)
(M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST)
Fax: 304-463-4111
Email

The mountains of West Virginia have long been revered and respected for their role in shaping our history, culture and heritage. While the isolation of the mountains helps to preserve our states largely unspoiled natural beauty, it can also make it difficult for our talented artists and craftspeople to gain access to the best markets in which to sell their work.

In the early 1990's Congressman Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.V.) realized that, through the use of technology, West Virginia artists and craftspeople could overcome some of these challenges and gain more exposure for their work by promoting their creations on the World Wide Web. The Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University took on that project and developed the initial web site. In November 2001, the non-profit MountainMade Foundation assumed administration of the program. The Vandalia Heritage Foundation has renovated the historic structures that house the MountainMade Artisan Gallery and the Country Store in Thomas, WV the Buxton Landstreet Building and the Peacock Building.

In 2005, MountainMade will embark on its first major international marketing effort at Expo 2005 in Nagoya , Japan. The Mitsukoshi Department Store will feature MountainMade arts and crafts at a week-long display of products specifically from West Virginia.