 Penny Moseley. After 30 years of career development in various banks, I gave up my position at First Union Bank as a Mortgage Loan Officer and enrolled at Hollins College, Roanoke, VA. I graduated in 1996 with a Master of Art in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Studio Art. I served as executive director for the Arts Council of the Twin Counties for 5 years, a marriage of my life long experiences in banking and my enthusiasm for the arts. Not only was I working to develop this organization, but I was and am working to develop a strong infra-structure for economic prosperity through cultural tourism with “Round the Mountain, SW VA’s Artisan’s Network (www.roundthemountain.org ) and Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax www.chestnutcreekarts.org.
The business side of being an artist takes as much time as creating the art. I’ve partnered with Becky Guynn, and Bob and Theresa Lazo to create City Gallery, Fine Art, LLC. Check it out at www.citygallerygalax.com . All these endeavors have culminated in an economic development initiative through the arts that began as a partnership with my daughter, Mitone’ Griffith to create the preeminent travel/arts magazine for southwest Virginia, The Big Blue. I pour my heart and soul into my art work, and arts related work, a huge and important part of my life.
|  Judy Weigand is of retirement age but says retirement is not for her. She and her husband own Virginia Mountain Development where they sell and market building lots and cabins here in the mountains. In addition, she markets her husband’s high end custom furniture anywhere along the east coast. She enjoys her volunteer activities with The Big Blue and the Master Gardeners of the Blue Ridge and her hobbies include gardening, photography and a little knitting but most of all she enjoys her friends. Contact info - 276 768 7710
|  Vicki Johnson, writer, photographer and artist, has deep roots in Grayson County. Previously a marketing professional in Nashville, Tennessee, Vicki loves her life on a cattle farm and learning to garden and can.
|  Dana H. Sapp lives on her family farm in the beautiful Comers Rock valley in Grayson County, Virginia. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Dana's background is in agriculture and animal husbandry. She is currently pursuing her passion for writing and photography. She has had a number of articles published and has received awards for her photography. An avid outdoors person and member of the Outdoor Writers Associaton, you can find her with her husband Al and daughter Mary-Alice riding horses, working cattle, or just enjoying the beautiful mountains that she calls home. | | |  Sandy Troth was introduced to the beauty of Southwest Virginia by her husband, who fell in love with the area while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Since retiring to the area in 2000, she enjoys organic gardening, a variety of fiber arts, reading, writing, and community volunteer work.
|  Kathy Surratt graduated from New River Community College with degrees in Business and Medical Administrator. My background includes 35 years business management, customer service and sales. Currently, I am employed as administrative assistant to the Carroll County Administrator with focus on serving the community and enhancing the economic development of the area. Kathy has one daughter, Amanda and a granddaughter Autumn Elizabeth. Her husband William Bourne is manager of the Hillsville Advance Auto Parts.
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The Big Blue was the brain child of original co-founder Mitone Griffith. She continues to contribute content, sell advertising and design each issue. Mitone currently is a Regional Director for http://vectec.org and maintains her graphic design clients, designing brochures, business cards, rack cards and postcards on the side. Mitone lives in downtown Galax and is being raised by her three year old daughter. (Ha!) | | | | |
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