CHARLESTON, W.VA. – How do you help revive a once-flourishing town that has, over the years, become economically barren? Hand William “Sarge” McGhee a paint brush and watch magic happen.
For the past 50 years, McGhee, 86, has been volunteering his time and talents to both produce art and encourage its use as an economic stimulus in Mullens.
Governor Joe Manchin will honor McGhee for his service with a Governor’s Service Award on Wednesday, July 16 at a banquet held as part of Faces of Leadership, the annual state volunteerism conference at the Charleston Civic Center.
Presented annually since 1995, the Governor’s Service Awards honors youth, young adults, adults, seniors, families, organizations and businesses who exemplify outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia. McGhee is one of three recipients in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Due to the decline of the population of Mullens since the 1950s, the town was faced with empty storefronts and vacant parking lots. Seeing a need to salvage and preserve the culture of the town, town leaders asked McGhee to use his artistic talents to paint murals on vacant downtown buildings. McGhee’s only stipulation was that the people of the town share in their creation. Community members have since helped McGhee paint more than 17 murals throughout the town.
In addition to the murals, McGhee has about 50 pieces of artwork displayed in storefronts of downtown businesses. His artistic talents also include woodworking and storytelling.
McGhee’s artwork has become a tourist attraction. Through a partnership with West Virginia State University, the Rural Appalachian Improvement League has worked to establish an Artisans Trail, which will include a stop in Mullens and feature McGhee’s artwork.
McGhee’s involvement with the community didn’t stop with murals and art pieces in storefront windows. Five days a week he can be found at the Mullens City Library teaching preschoolers art techniques or around town painting a holiday scene in the Post Office window, a sign for a local business, or sketching more murals. He also designs props for the local community theatre group, helped develop an Open Mike Night at the Mullens Opportunity Center, and is a charter member of the Upper Guyandotte Watershed Association.
“McGhee’s handiwork and legacy is a cornerstone for building an industry that will help revitalize a community that is desperate to become self-sustaining,” Dewey Houck, friend of McGhee’s and the president of the Rural Appalachian Improvement League, said. “Now, as always, his services are volunteered.”
The Governor’s Service Awards are administered by the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service. A panel of volunteer judges, including past awardees, choose the recipients on the basis of achievement, community needs, continuing involvement, innovation and impact of service.
Other recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Service Awards include, by category:
- Lifetime Achievement: Harold “Kitty” Wilson, Calhoun County; John “Bill” Dillon, Summers County
- Youth: Emily Boggs of Charleston
- Adult: Karen Haynes, Putnam County
- Senior: Laura Sevy, Fayette County; G. Lee Fisher, Braxton County
- Organization: Jonathon Powell Hope Foundation, Mercer County
- Business: Verizon, statewide; INSITE, Kanawha County
For tickets to the awards banquet, or information about the conference, contact Moya Doneghy at (304) 558-0111 or 1-800-WV-HELPS, or by e-mail at Moya.Doneghy@wv.gov.
|
