2 Degrees Northwest: “Where Art Meets the Land”
The Economic Development Action Team invited University of Idaho Rural
Sociology Professor Lorie Higgins and History Professor Elizabeth Carney
to present information on a rural entrepreneurial program to area
artists/craftsmen. 2 Degrees NW is an opportunity for Prairie artisans
to gain more recognition and exposure. The program is based on a
similar program in North Carolina called “Handmade in America.” Local
artisans are featured in a trail guide, and tourists can base tours on
the guide to visit many of these artists. It’s very similar to taking a
tour of wineries. Lorie and Elizabeth are in the process of creating
something similar in the Palouse/Eastern Washington region, i.e. 2
Degrees NW. If the Prairie participates, the artisans and Prairie
communities could potentially be featured in a guidebook, and tourists
would be “brought” to the artists, rather than the other way around.
The Economic Development Team believes this could be a great way to
inject more interest in the Prairie’s culture, history, and art. The
meeting was positive overall regarding the 2 Degrees NW program and
Lorie and Elizabeth suggested a larger town-hall type meeting to further
identify the community’s assets.