Information on the Sustainable Living Education Center

The Sustainable Living Education Center, (SLEC), at the Jacksonville Center campus is offering a unique, hands-on educational experience in the construction of a straw bale building. The building was started in 2005 as a class project by Leon Davis, who was a Virginia Tech architectural student at the time. Upon completion, this building will be a SLEC demonstration exhibit. SLEC already has a working wind generator, solar panels and a rain water collection system already in place.

Leon Davis’s interest in green building comes from his past experience working with rammed earth and visiting straw bale structures around the United States. After graduating, Leon spent the following year working on Mt. Rainer in Washington as a climbing guide. Now, before returning to Washington for another climbing season, Leon has returned to Floyd for the next five weeks finishing the plastering on the straw bales.

Since the building process is intended to be educational, if you are interested in straw bale construction and plastering, this is the best time to learn and ask questions. Leon is looking for volunteers to help with the plastering. No experience is necessary and an extra set of hands is always appreciated. Please contact Leon by email at leonvernondavis@gmail.com or call The Center at 745-2784 to leave a message for him. Volunteers should bring a lunch and a pair of durable rubber gloves (not the dishwashing kind).

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hi everyone
hope you are well

here are Chris C. and Chris L. playing in the silo yesterday

many thanks to all who made this weekend's events at the Jacksonville Center so interesting and fun.

bye, have a great day and thanks for reading. -Suzy

Press release from Studio Row & the Traces Library

For immediate release

The Jacksonville Center welcomes you to a reception on Friday, March 23

Studio artists at Jacksonville Center will hold a New Works reception on Friday, March 23 from 5-7 pm. Glass artist Linda Osborne will highlight her personal bead collection and her wide variety of jewelry and handmade bead items. Sarah McCarthy, home from displaying at the New Jersey arts and crafts show, will show her gas fired pottery vases, bowls, glasses and tableware. Wood fired pottery will be just a part of McCabe Coolidge's functional works display. And Karen Day will show handmade books.

In addition guest artists will share the studio spaces. Look for Gretchen St. Lawrence's pastels, Anne Vaughn's jewelry, Glenda and Don George with shibori fabric and wood working. Traces Library Open House will be highlighted by Suzy Nees and live music will be provided by Billy Miller.

Traces Library installation sites during this event include studio 119, the silo conservatory, and the Maple, Oak, and Kentucky Coffee rooms in the Center's residence building. Leon Davis will also be answering questions and hosting tours during this event to introduce visitors to the Jacksonville Center's straw bale building, which is in the final stages of completion.

Refreshments offered in abundance, all at Jacksonville Center just south of town on Route 8. This is a free event, and all are welcome!

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Discover your local ambient library!

Ideapark.org press release
For immediate release - March 15, 2007

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The Traces library for creative literacy is currently housed in studio 119 and in the student residence building at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia. Traces is a public art project and ambient library designed to foster awareness about land care, cultural conservation, and sustainable, compassionate living.

From now until April 1, visitors at the Traces reading room in studio 119 will find artwork, writings, antique maps and locally made musical instruments on display along with furnishings from the collection of the Traces library. This exhibit is open to the public from 9 to 5 on weekdays and noon to 5 on Saturdays.

Other items from the Traces library collection are also installed in the Oak and Maple rooms of the Jacksonville Center's residence building, known to some as the Little House at the Jacksonville Center. The Oak and Maple rooms of the Little House will be open to visitors on March 23 and April 14, 2007. Music samples, ceramic work, Japanese handicrafts, and stone sculpture are just a few of the exhibit items to be found in the Oak and Maple rooms during this installation.

On the evening of Friday, March 23, 2007, a free public reception will be held at the Jacksonville Center to celebrate a collection of new works now on display on Studio Row on the first level of the main building at the Jacksonville Center. These works include handmade books, photography, drawings, ceramic work and much more. Live music and refreshments are being offered during this event, and all are welcome.

The Jacksonville Center is located about 1/2 mile south of the stoplight in Floyd. For more information on the Jacksonville Center, please call 540-745-2784 or visit their website at www.jacksonvillecenter.org.