Last "2nd Saturdays" Showcase NC Heritage and Arts

The last 2nd Saturday of the year  takes place on August 14th from 10 AM - 4 PM. 2nd Saturdays combine arts and heritage with food and fun at all 37  north Carolina museums and Historic Sites. Art and craft demonstrations and work for sale from local artists perfectly compliment heritage and family fun events. Venures in the Western North Carolina Mountains include:

Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center, 102 Water Street, Old Fort
Produce and natural products such as cheese, jam, soaps and soy candles will be offered at this event along with traditional folk arts including woodcarving, pottery, basket weaving and more.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market Street, Asheville
Paper, Pen and Paint: The Art of Creative Expression: Museum staff will focus on Thomas Wolfe’s artistic medium of the drama and narrative prose as his preferred method of creative expression. Visual artists such as painters, watercolorists, calligraphers, paper fabricators, bookbinders, writers, photographers and others will complement the event’s creative theme.

Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville
Harvest from the Farm: Highlighting the agriculture heritage of a 19th century mountain farm. Artisans will showcase products from the farm, foods, candles, textiles and other handmade items related to farm life.

For additional locations in all areas of North Carolina visit the  North Carolina Department of Culture

New Work at the Cottage Craftsman

The Cottage Craftsman, located at 44 Fry Street in Bryson City North Carolina, reports a hot summer in more ways than one. Calaboose wine, Millie's homemade jam and the Parham's honey are all in stock. There is also new Jewelry by Blue Bus and Lucky Accessories and soaps by Essential Journeys. Susan Coe and Gloria Stockton offer some great new pottery and Raquel Moore has delivered new bracelets. Stop in and see what's new.

Wine  tastings continue every saturday from 12 - 5 PM. The Market at the Cottage Craftsman features fine wines from 17 boutique wineries in North Carolina and the Blue Ridge region. You’ll find wine for everyone’s palate – from muscadine to merlot

First Wednesdays FREE at the Asheville Art Museum

 August 4 the Asheville Art Museum is FREE!. Every first Wednesday of the month from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM the Asheville Art Museum is open free to the public! Come enjoy excellent exhibitions for the afternoon.

The Art of Giving: Cabin Raffle Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina  has announced the 1st Annual Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle. A limited number of raffle tickets will be available for purchase through the October 7, 2010 deadline on our specially created event website at www.LogCabinRaffle.org   The Grand Prize Drawing will take place on October 14, 2010 and will be open to the public.

The Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle will also include bonus drawings throughout the three-month event. Buy your ticket(s) EARLY for a chance to win the bonus drawings which include a one-week stay at a cabin provided by Hidden Creek Cabins, a Whitewater Rafting trip for 4 down the legendary Nantahala River provided by Paddle Inn Rafting and a $1,000 cash prize drawing.

This beautiful Smoky Mountain Cabin, located in Bryson City North Carolina, is a fully furnished 2 bedroom 2 bathroom Log Cabin with custom hardwood floors, granite countertops, hot tub, pool table and a rocked fireplace.

Raffle participants can give back while also having the exciting chance to win a beautiful custom log cabin in the Smoky Mountains. Proceeds from the 1st annual Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina in its continued effort to recruit, screen, train and support caring adults who want to make a difference in the life of a child.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Plein Air + the Blue Ridge Mountains = Bliss

July 30 - Aug 1 in Glendale Glendale Springs Command the Very Air! with The Bold Fun of Plein Air! Join Louis Munroe and capture the landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains during this class, an introduction to plein air and a coaching course for intermediates - with an immediate brush-on-canvas approach and the confidence of speed. Students will learn that changing light is everything and working fast increases effectiveness.

Celebrate Arts and Antiques this weekend in Blowing Rock

July 29 - Aug 1 in  Blowing Rock North Carolina the 4th Annual Blowing Rock Art and Antiques Show. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) sponsors its 4th annual Celebration of Art & Antiques, a three-day-weekend sale of heirloom-quality antique silver, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, crystal and more. The BRAHM Café, another popular feature of the show, will return this year, selling tasty lunches and treats Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.The show will be open Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $10, and one ticket is good for the entire weekend. The event is open to the public and  located at the Blowing Rock School.

Student Exibition at the Grove Arcade

July 30th The Fine Arts League Gallery at the Grove Arcade, suite 115, is hosting a Student Exhibition on Friday, July 30th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. If you haven't seen this beautiful new gallery yet, this is a perfect opportunity. Appalachian landscapes, portraits, sculptures and frescoes will be on display along with instructor work. All are welcome to support the students and faculty and their hard work! The event will include music, a live portrait drawing spectacle and wine.

3rd Annual Celebration of Art & Antiques in Blowing Rock

July 29 - Aug 1   BLOWING ROCK  A Celebration of Art & Antiques  The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) presents its third annual Celebration of Art & Antiques, a three-day-weekend sale of heirloom-quality antique silver, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, crystal and more. Approximately 20 vendors will be in town to sell English, European and American furniture as well as clocks, oriental rugs, china, pottery, fine silver and crystal, jewelry and more. The event is open to the public.

Valleytown Cultural Arts Center Opening Tonight

The Grand Opening Reception for the Valley River Arts Gallery at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, is tonight from 4:00 - 7:00. The gallery showcases only the fine arts and crafts of regional artisans. Come see the talent the region has to offer, enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. The Center is located at the Corner of Chestnut and Third Streets in Andrews North Carolina.

Gallery Minerva Celebrates Bele Chere

Gallery Minerva has a booth for Bele Chere this year! From paintings to sculptures, several of our local artists have created special edition pieces just for this weekend. Pick up these small new creations for your collection, then step inside to cool off in the gallery. Extended Bele Chere Hours: July 23rd - 25th 10am - 8pm. Gallery Minerva is located at 8 Biltmore Avenue,  Asheville North Carolina.

Asheville Art Museum Art Break: Bele Chere Special

July 23 Art Break from 12:00 - 1:00 PM,  Bele Chere Special: Asheville Artists in the Permanent Collection Curatorial-Led Tour, free with Museum Membership or Admission.  In the current installation of the permanent collection, Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum, four members of the Museum staff took the opportunity to delve into the Museum's collection and selected artworks that related to four themes. Join us for a special tour of this exhibition highlighting Asheville artists in the permanent collection. Asheville Artists featured in this exhibition include: Stoney Lamar, Steven Seinberg, Mark Peiser, David Nelson, Rob Amberg, Kenn Kotara, Ken Carder and others.

And don't miss the Museum's Bele Chere booth  July 23 - 25.  FREE. Come visit the Museum's Bele Chere booth located directly in front of the Museum. We'll have select Museum Shop goodies and more! FANATICON's Spiderman will be at the booth Saturday handing out stickers and the first of 10 FANATICON trading cards for FANATICON 2!

John C Campbell Folk School marks another milestone

The 85th summer at John C Campbell Folk School is in full swing and it is turning out to be quite a memorable one. A major milestone in the history of the Folk School, the completion of a new blacksmith shop, and reaching the midpoint of the Capital Campaign have been accomplished. Also the new Folk School catalog, brimming with lots of enticing classes to lure you back to Brasstown, is in the mail.

The Folk School extends an invitation join them in celebration of the 85th year by coming to see the School for a class, visiting our beautiful campus, and keeping up with news and events on their blog!

Random Arts: Inspiring Place, Inspiring People

From Random Arts Newsletter, July 18, 2010

"Hi everyone,
I hope that you all are having a great summer
and your creative needs are being nurtured and fulfilled in some way, shape or form each and every day. For me, it's the creative outlet that I find in the garden by adding outdoor elements & painting with bright bold colors in key spots around the yard such as planters, doors, or birdhouses.

It doesn't matter how you "dig deep" into your creativity, as long as you do it. Give yourself permission to play a little, no matter how difficult it may seem. . . just a little counts...even if that's all you can do.

Now, on another note, it pays to contact us if you are coming to Saluda because someone always seems to be here doing something creative at some time or another, and you're invited to do the same. Email is an excellent way to announce your arrival and set up a time to stop by.
- Jane and the Random Arts Crew


The next workshop at Random Arts: Woven Book Workshop at the Studio on Wednesday, Aug. 11th

Just a little bit of machine sewing (nothing to be afraid of) and the rest is pure creative bliss! Fabrics, fire and finishing are just a few of the techniques you will use when completing your "one of a kind" woven book in just one day.

10am til 3pm $40. Space is limited - register by email  We accept Visa,MC, PayPal and checks - some supplies required.

Sign up for the Random Arts Newsletter, read the Blog or buy supplies online from our stores at: eBay and  ArtFire

Asheville Art Museum Pianoforte Concert this afternoon

July 18 at 3PM the Asheville Art Museum presents a Pianoforte Concert Featuring Douglas Weeks. The all-Chopin concert is in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth. Weeks is Babcock Professor of Piano and the Chair of the Performance Department at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC and an acknowledged authority on the works of Chopin

HandMade hosts visiting Textile Artists for upcoming Workshop

HandMade in America is hosting visitors - textile artists - from Kyrgyzstan on Friday, July 30th, 10AM. Their visit is sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center, which is a program of the Library of Congress. Our visitors will include four textile artists from Kyrgyzstan. These women are also leaders of organizations which support traditional handicrafts. We'll also have the Director of the Union of Folk Artists and a graphic artist who is one of the country's cultural visionaries. Their trip includes both Santa Fe and Asheville -- to give them an introduction to two of the handicraft/ folk art centers in the U.S. and to give them an opportunity to learn about the organizations that support handicraft. Please email or call to let us know how many to plan for. The workshop will be held at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Ave. Suite 101, Asheville North Carolina.

Ordinary Furniture - Woodwork By Derek Hennigar

"Ordinary Furniture" is anything but ordinary. Artist  Derek Hennigar acknowledges the name may be ironic, but likes to maintain the connection with the ordinary gathering and cutting of wood, a common activity through the ages. Born in Asheville (that alone is enough to recommend him) Hennigar continues to learn about trees and how to use them in making a contribution to the future of handcrafted wood work. He is influenced by modern sculpture, Scandinavian design and Appalachian traditions. His work may be one-of-a-kind or part of a series, but all is designed to last for generations and improve with age.

Ordinary Furniture and Derek Henniger can be found this week at the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville North Carolina.

Top Wildlife Artist Exibition at the Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present  a new exhibition, Sallie Middleton: A Life in the Forest. The collection of Middleton's work, which is inspired by her passion for nature, features a number of the nature studies for which Middleton gained fame. Middleton is considered one of the top wildlife artists in the nation.

The Opening reception will be held July 16 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. The exhibition was organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum and sponsored in part by Frugal Framer, John Cram and Matt Chambers, Ray Griffin and Thom Robinson. The Asheville Art Museum  is located at 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Get details...

Are you ready for a Creative Escape?

Situated in an old-growth forest, Hemlocks Studio offers creative escapes for small groups and individuals; artists, writers, readers, and more. Take one of the pre-planned escapes or let Hemlocks arrange one for your group. An exceptional staff awaits in a magical setting that seems back in time, in a small southern town. Open mid-June through mid-September when classes/retreats are in session. 11080 Greenville Hwy., Cedar Mountain North Carolina. 828-885-2831

Penland Auction Catalog now online

Penland's 25th Annual Benefit Auction is August 13-14, 2010. Tickets are selling quickly. Get yours before they sell out! The Auction Catalog is now available online.


The Penland School of Crafts Annual Benefit Auction is a gala weekend in the North Carolina mountains featuring the sale of more than 230 works in books, clay, drawing, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The Penland auction is one of the most important craft collecting events in the Southeast and a perfect opportunity to support Penland's educational programs, which have helped thousands of people to live creative lives.

Bi-annual Crafts Fair this week in Asheville

The Crafts Fair of the Southern Highlands is 4 days of fine traditional and contemporary crafts. Over 200 members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild fill the Civic Center in downtown Asheville North Carolina, July 15 - 18. The Fair includes works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. For a complete listing of exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and entertainment schedule for the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, visit http://craftguild.org/.

Maggie Valley Summer Arts and Crafts Festival Today

July 10  in Maggie Valley North Carolina -  Maggie Valley Summer Arts and Crafts Festival  Local, Regional and National artists gather to sell their wares. Handmade Arts and Crafts, entertainment, and food vendors. Located at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds in downtown Maggie Valley.

Fabric Theme at Thomas Wolfe "2nd Saturday" in Asheville Today

July 10 in Asheville North Carolina -  2nd Saturdays: Thomas Wolfe Memorial: "FABRICating the Past"  the evolution of textile manufacturing from pre-industrial to highly mechanized age of water/steam powered textile mills, and mass consumption of ready made goods by the early 20th century. Clothing and textiles from the Museum's collection will be featured and contemporary and traditional textile artisans -- weavers, spinners, fabic dyers, and others will participate.

Don't miss The Big Crafty this Sunday in Asheville

July 11 - The Big Crafty is hosted by the Asheville Art Museum in Pack Square. Voted the best arts/crafts fair in Western North Carolina. This year the juried indie craft fair features 140 artists and crafters plus live music and food.

Traditions in Arts and Crafts in Old Fort

July 10 in Old Fort North Carolina,  2nd Saturdays at Mountain Gateway Museum: "Traditions in Arts and Crafts" .  Enjoy a day-long celebration of traditional arts and crafts including basket making, pottery, wood working and more. Exhibits and grounds are open free of charge. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day in a shaded setting near the beautiful stream. Demonstrating their creativity and selling their wares are Big Bear Artisans John and Helen Sullivan, photographer/painter Alice Greko, landscape artist Chrys Riviere-Blalock and Laura Whitley with woodburned art. 2nd Saturdays combine arts, heritage, food and fun at 37 state historic sties and museums.  The Mountain Gateway Museum is located at 102 Water Street, Old Fort North Carolina.

Art in Boone: An Appalachian Summer Festival

Appalachian State University hosts An Appalachian Summer Festival, an annual celebration of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film each year for the entire month of July. 2010 festival highlights include Patti LuPone, Janis Ian & Karla Bonoff, Ralph Stanley & Cherryholmes, Eastern Festival Orchestra, Amy Sedaris, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Golden Dragon Acrobats, John Pizzarelli & Swing 7, Summer Exhibition Celebration, and Blood, Sweat & Tears (Festival Celebration Concert). There are also workshops, film series, chamber music, and more! This is the the biggest arts celebration in the High Country! Purchase tickets online...

Wood Turning Demonstration this week at the Parkway Craft Center

July 6 - 11 see a  Live Craft Demonstration  of wood truning by Jack Rogers. The Parkway Craft Center is one of the five shops of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features work from over 300 Southern Appalachian craftspeople. Work on display includes objects of clay, glass, leather, fiber, jewelry, wood, natural materials, paper and metal. The Parkway Craft Center is located at the Moses Cone Manor, Milepost 294 Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock North Carolina.

Extended Hours July 4th at Gallery Minerva

Celebrate Independence Day 2010 in downtown Asheville. On July 4th, Gallery Minerva will host extended hours leading up to the annual fireworks display. Drop by and peruse the gallery collection as you make your way to find the perfect spot for the spectacular show! Gallery Minerva is located at 8 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville North Carolina.

Mountain Artisans 21st Annual "Summertime" Art and Craft Show

July 2 - 4 in CULLOWHEE (near Sylva) North Carolina - 21st Annual "Summertime" Art and Craft Show with 100 exhibitors and demonstrations. You will find the work of some of the area's most unique artisans. There is a wide selection of heritage and contemporary crafts including: Glass, Woodworking , Doll craft, Leather, Natural Materials, Fine Art and Folk Art, Jewelry, Gourd Art, Birdhouses, and Designer Fabric purses.. Many of the hard to find crafts like Pine needle baskets and bark buckets.

Asheville Art Museum announces special screening of "Chuck Close"

July 8, 7:00 p.m. Fine Arts Theatre, Downtown Asheville. The special screening of Chuck Close is held in conjunction with the exhibition Limners to Facebook: Portraiture from the 19th to the 21st Century. This is the 2007 expanded version of the 1997 documentary (of the same name) by filmmaker Marion Cajori. The feature-length film follows Chuck Close as he paints a self-portrait and interviews many of his friends, including artists Robert Rauschenberg and Alex Katz, and features music by Philip Glass. Call 828.253.3227 for advance tickets or purchase them at the Fine Arts Theatre Box Office at the screening. $8 Members/Seniors/Students; $10 General Admission. The Fine Arts Theatre is located at 36 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville North Carolina