info on the straw bale studio

Hi folks,
here is some info from Leon Davis on the straw bale structure he is currently constructing at the Jacksonville Center.

tags: green design, sustainability, conservation, construction, building materials

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This structure is an experiment in alternative building practices using local materials and renewable resources. The straw bale building will showcase several new green building materials available from local merchants. These include a structural block known as Timbercrete, manufactured by Auz-Bloc in Floyd, and various green products sold by Eco-Spec in Copper Hill.

The Jacksonville Center and the Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC), plan to use the building as an art studio, meeting space and educational showroom for sustainable technologies.

This endeavor calls upon the experience and counsel of the community in a combined effort to develop environmentally responsible building practices and implement them in our mainstream culture. I encourage anyone who is familiar with alternative construction or is interested in learning to contact the Jacksonville Center or SLEC. I also invite you all to come visit the facilities and witness the process of building with straw bales and other new materials; a construction calendar will be posted and updated regularly.

Any contribution of time or money is greatly appreciated and will be recognized by both groups as well as Virginia Tech.

hand dyed silk scarves in the retail shop

these beautiful hand dyed silk scarves can be found in the retail shop at the Jacksonville Center.
tags: gift, floyd, artisan, Virginia

Wayne & Leon taking measurements for the straw bale studio

foundation blocks for the straw bale studio

these are called "timber crete" or "aussie block" and they are made from a mixture of sand, cellulose, and cement. Virginia Tech student Leon Davis is using these for the foundation of the new straw bale studio he is constructing at the Jacksonville Center.
tags: green design, Floyd, Virginia, building materials

photo of the wind tower

here is a photo of the new wind tower at the Jacksonville Center.

press release: new work by Floyd artists

“Floyd Artists-New Work” Exhibit at the Jacksonville Center

The third, annual exhibit of new work by Floyd artists, both old timers and new comers, will feature the unique work of these artisans in a variety of mediums at the Hayloft Gallery in the Jacksonville Center.

Artists with work on exhibit include: Thomas Baldwin, Sylvia Blankenship, Charlie Brouwer, Ernest Bryant, Deborah Carrino, Christine Clinger, Rick Cooley, Mark Cox, Donna Douglas, Fred First, Lora Geissler, Stacy Graham, Bridgette Griffith, Art Haase, Tera Hale, Susan Hatcher, Ann Houston, B. Don Johnson, Joey Jones, Toni Lamberti, Debbie McAlexander, Emilie Owen, Laura Parrish, Marsha Paulekas, Catherine Pauley, Suzie Ross, Karen Sewell, Aaron Staengl, Wil Stratton, Aven Tanner, Doug Thompson and Teri Walters,

One of the Center’s most popular exhibits, it will continue until September 18, 2005. An opening reception for the general public to meet the artists will be held on August 6, 2005, 6-8 PM.

images from the blacksmithing shop

hi folks,

I was in the right place at the right time the other day and had a chance to sit in on a blacksmithing class at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd. Here are some images from the day.

--Suzy

here is an image from the Jacksonville School blacksmithing shop, July 2005.

Tags for this image: Virginia, Floyd, artisan, craft, smith, blacksmithing, farrier, traditional arts, iron, agriculture, industry, USDA