Art in the Park tomorrow in Blowing Rock

October 1  Art in the Park Begun in 1962 Art in the Park now includes over 90 artisans at each juried show. Art in the Park’s high standards and professional jury attract artisans from all over the Southeast to exhibit in a series of six shows, May through October. The quality of work exhibited draws thousands to the mountains each month.

The event is held in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock NC. Get Blowing rock information and lodging links HERE.

Core Show and Opening Reception at Penland School of Crafts

October 14 - 21, Northlight Hall, Penland School of Crafts - Core Show is an exhibition of work by Penland's current Core Fellowship students: Eleanor Annand, Daniel T. Beck, Bob Biddlestone, Rachel K. Garceau, Seth Gould and Ian Henderson. The Opening Reception is October 14 from 7 PM - 10 PM. Regular Gallery hours are Oct 15-16, 10 AM - 5 PM; Oct 17 - 21, 1 PM - 6 PM.

For more information about the Core Fellowship program, click here.

Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Located in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Penland offers workshops, artist residencies, a gallery, and community collaboration programs. Penland School is a nonprofit, tax-exempt institution that receives support for its programs from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

ArtsMart this weekend at the Old Fort Historic Train Depot

October 1     ArtsMart  Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot, Railroad Museum and Visitor Center . Stop by to chat with the creators of these one of a kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and live demonstrations. Sponsored by Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Walk this Weekend

October 1  Asheville Downtown Galleries Walk Take a self-guided tour and explore the diversity of art in downtown Asheville. Browse 25 Asheville galleries within the downtown area. Walk Guide Maps are available  at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Forest Festival Day this weekend in Brevard

October 1    Forest Festival Day   More than 50 traditional craftsmen, exhibitors and entertainers gather at the Cradle of Forestry to celebrate our forests and forest heritage. Highlights include: live music, wood carvers, weavers, blacksmith, and a John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet. This lumberjack-style event is organized by Haywood Community College. $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for youth, and America The Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. The Cradle of Forestry is located on highway 276 near Brevard NC.

Win Tickets to the 39th Annual Folk School Fall Festival!

October 1-2 at John C Campbell Folk Schoo - 39th Annual Folk School Fall Festival  is one of the largest and most popular events of its type in the region, Fall Festival is a celebration of our rich Appalachian heritage.  Fine craft, craft-making demonstrations, music and dance performances, kids' activities, tasty food, and a visit to the school's Craft Shop and History Center make Fall Festival a great way to begin the autumn season. Admission for adults is: $5.00, Kids 12-17: $3.00, Under 12: Free.

Check out their latest blog post for a chance to win free tickets!

Over 200 craftspeople will sell fine craft and art work such as pottery, painting, metalwork, textiles, basketry, woodwork, and photography. Local community groups will provide a delicious variety of food, over 40 craft demonstrations will take place throughout the campus, and our History Center and Craft Shop will be open for visitors. A new addition to the festival this year is a Quilt Show held in the Quilting Studio, which will feature fine quilts by our instructor and students.

The entertainment schedule features some of the region's finest bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, Gospel, and folk music on two stages. Lively dance performances by the Campbell Folk School Cloggers and Morris, Garland, and Rapper Sword Dancers will also take place.

Bring the whole family to Fall Festival! Activities for kids include pony and wagon rides, petting alpacas, face painting, a drum circle, and adopting a pet from the Valley River Humane Society booth. For more information about Fall Festival, visit our website or call us at 828-837-2775. Please leave your pets at home.

View photos of Fall Festival in past years on Flickr.

Penland still has openings for fall classes

There's still room in several exciting autumn workshops at Penland School of Crafts.  Penland's eight-week fall and spring concentrations are an unmatched opportunity in craft education: almost as long as a college semester, with the intensity of a total-immersion workshop. This is a great time to settle into the studio and make great strides in your work.

There are openings in eight-week classes in drawing, hot glass, and letterpress printing. Don't despair if you can't find a spare two months in your busy schedule! There are quite a few one-week classes with available spaces, too, including workshops in tinsmithing, knitting, bookbinding, photography, and woodworking. 

Click here to for more information and to check out our complete lineup of fall and spring classes! 

A Special Fall Session: The History of Pottery for Enthusiasts & Collectors

"Green Leaf Mugs" by Margaret Bohls

Taught by ceramic artist and art historian Margaret Bohls, this class celebrates the history of the ceramic vessel. Lectures about influential cultures and time periods will provide context for those who live with and love handmade pots. Demonstrations and visits to local studios will help participants understand the visual traditions that influence contemporary makers and the materials, processes, and techniques that have been passed down through centuries. Discussions will revolve around lineage, value, and aesthetics. There will also be ample opportunity for participants to try throwing and handbuilding techniques using historical pots as models for their own work. This is a great chance to try a very different kind of workshop experience at Penland!

Click here for more information, pricing, and registration.  

Asheville Art Museum Art MOB Party and Dance Tonight

September 24, 7:00 - 10:00  PM    ARTmob Returns with Primary Colors: A Cocktail + Dance Party      Support your Asheville Art Museum by signing up to "party in your primaries" tonight at Arcade Asheville. Help the Art MOB reach its goal of more than 75 guests (we're more than halfway there already!) and RSVP to 828.253.3227 ext. 110 or 123, or email ncrawford@ashevilleart.org.   Learn more about this event here.

The event will be held at Arcade Asheville (130 College Street) $5 Suggested Donation at the Door

 

Random Arts New Studio and Shop Opens

The doors to the new and exciting Random Arts studio and retail space opened on Thursday, Sept 22nd at 10 AM. After months of renovations the always creative and energetic folks at Random Arts are back with workshops and retail space sure to please all their fans.

The next Random Arts Workshop is Fri. Sept 30th Random Strokes with Catherine Langsdorf . For most creative people, doodling is something they have done all their lives. It is a release. A pen and a piece of paper can lead to amazing things. It can travel easily with you and put you into an artistic zone. Enjoy a day of creative play and learning. Many of the doodlings will be based on patterns that when added together create intricate pieces. 10 AM to 2 PM $35.

Random Arts is located at  481 Louisiana Ave in Saluda NC. 828-749-1165

Curb Market and Old-timey Day this weekend in Hendersonville

September 24    Curb Market and Old-timey Day   The Henderson County Curb Market is the South's most unique Curb Market. This special event includes music, sausage & ham biscuits cooked on a old timey wood stove, antique displays and more. All items sold at the market must be either handmade or locally grown Henderson County. Historic Downtown Hendersonville NC.

Heritage Crafts Weekend at the NC Arboretum

Sept 24-25  Heritage Crafts Weekend The North Carolina Arboretum celebrates Southern Appalachian traditions during Heritage Crafts Weekend. The event, now in its fifth year, features craft demonstrations, plant sales and musical performances in the Heritage Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center.

Vitally important to the region’s craft heritage is the close relationship between crafts and the plants used in their production. Much of the fiber, color and artistic expression of mountain craft arises from the character and nature of plants.

The Arboretum's Heritage Garden showcases plants used in the multi-million-dollar craft industry of Western North Carolina, including those used for handmade paper and brooms, baskets and dyes. Visitors can explore the many plants that support crafts, understand how they are grown, prepared and used, and appreciate their value to the industry.

Brevard 4th Friday Gallery Walks

September 23   4th Friday Gallery Walks  in Brevard NC - An evening of Art, Wine and Food in Downtown Brevard every 4th Friday of the month, from May through December. 5 PM -9 PM


The White Squirrel Brass quintet will play at the Gazebo on Main Street from 5:00 pm - 5:30pm and then they will move to Caldwell Street and play at the TC Arts Council from 6:00pm - 6:30pm. White Squirrel Brass is a brass quintet performing original arrangements of Broadway shows, film scores, as well as songs from the pop and jazz genre.

John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival

October 1-2  Fall Festival at the John C Campbell Folk School is one of the largest and most popular events of its type in the region, Fall Festival is a celebration of our rich Appalachian heritage.
Fine craft, craft-making demonstrations, music and dance performances, kids' activities, tasty food, and a visit to the school's Craft Shop and History Center make Fall Festival a great way to begin the autumn season.
The Handmade Craft for Sale includes over 200 juried and non-juried craftspeople will offer their handcrafted items for sale including jewelry, woodturning, pottery, weaving, ironwork, photography, rugs, woodcarvings, furniture, paintings, baskets and much, much more.
Visit the  Mountain Life Area and watch traditional mountain exhibitions such as blacksmithing, corn meal grinding and fly tying.  Enjoy Live Music & Dance on Two Stages. Tap your toes or stomp your feet to the sounds of old-time, bluegrass, folk, gospel and Celtic music both Saturday and Sunday. Dancers will delight you with clogging, Morris, Garland, and Rapper Sword performances

John C Campbell Folk School is located at One Folk School Road in Brasstown NC - near Murphy and Hayesville NC.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Upcoming Workshop

October 1, 2011 — 2 pm- 5 pm, Nature’s Home Preserve, Tuckasegee, WNC  - Spontaneous painting with pastels. This pastel art class is inclusive, yet sets you on a journey towards greater learning. Ppaint with pastels the nature around you, by learning how to create a quick composition through placement of dark and light colors. The basics in use of pastels, color, composition and detail will be emphasized.

On-going progressive workshops happen the first Saturday of each month. During inclement weather, the workshops are conducted in a Yurt studio at Nature’s Home Preserve. Weather permitting there is possible hiking involved and each person will complete a Plein Air or still life painting in every class. Some of the techniques covered are: spontaneous composition, working with complementary colors, figure painting, botanical drawing, landscape and still life painting. The fee is $36 each class with all materials furnished.

Get details at Catch the Spirit of Applachia

35th Annual Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival includes craft demonstrations

September 17  in YADKINVILLE (near North Wilkesboro) 35th Annual Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival   All-day family festival featuring live music - country, rock, gospel, bluegrass and pop - on two stages, agricultural displays, a farmers' market, artist demonstrations, blue ribbon competitions, a petting zoo and relay races for the kids, art, crafts and food vendors, carriage rides and more. Don't miss the popular Yadkin "Idol" competition!

WNC Art Resource Center hosts Teacher Open House

 September 20, 3:00 - 5:30 PM at   WNC Art Resource Center   Teacher Open House - a free Teacher Open House for any North Carolina Educator and will take place in the WNC Art Resource Center of the Asheville Art Museum. Explore current exhibitions while learning about the many educational opportunities available to teachers and their classrooms through the Museum.This event includes refreshments, discounts in the Museum Shop, free classroom materials and door prizes, including free class tours and Educator Memberships to the school with the greatest attendance.

For information please contact Sharon McRorie at 828.253.3227 ext. 122 or e-mail smcrorie@ashevilleart.org

Heartwood Gallery Welcomes New Artists

Jim and Shirl Parmentier have been making pottery together for 35 years.  Their studio is nestled on a hillside in Mars Hill,NC. Jim and Shirl work as a team in both the design and the making of the pieces with their own custom high fire stoneware clay. Using both extruded coils and slabs they make forms,  then alter and carve them to get the final shape. An ash glaze flowing into the crevices adds the final touch. Their lamps and altered vessels are currently adorning the windows of Heartwood.


Ed and Kate Coleman have had their hands in clay since they were 15 years old. Their home studio on Big Flats Mountain in North Carolina is home to the couple's whimsical designs. Their large and small wall tiles and ceramic clocks feature colorful designs with both abstract and recognizable forms, reflecting their charming and fun style.  

Hank Goodman recycles large amounts of wood ash collected from families who heat with wood, which in turn gives his stoneware the subdued and sensuous glazes that are its trademark. These functional stoneware pieces make the perfect gift, fitting into both traditional and contemporary settings. They may be used in the microwave and regular oven below 400 degrees and are dishwasher safe and safe to use with all foods.  

Heartwood Gallery is located at 21 East Main Street in Saluda NC

Weaverville hosts Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival

September 17  -  4th Annual Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival    10 AM to 5 PM. on Main Street in downtown Weaverville. Sponsored by the Weaverville Business Association, the festival features over 100 juried artists and craftspeople, as well as an exciting array of food and live music. Admission is free.

Upcoming Craft Labs from Handmade in America

HandMade in America offers a variety of workshops to help tackle problems the career artist often experiences. Topics include how to best display their work, engage visitors, increase sales, how to create a budget and price your work.  A morning and afternoon class will be held each day at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center at 121 Schoolhouse Road in the Stecoah Community between Bryson City and Fontana Dam.  Lunch can be purchased in the Schoolhouse Café in between sessions. The following Craft Labs are scheduled:

Downtown Asheville at the HandMade office, 125 South Lexington Ave., Suite 10.
September 13, 2011 - Pricing Your Work (6-8pm)
October 11, 2011 - Social Networking and Marketing Your Work (6-8pm)
November 8, 2011 - Using a Blog to Market Your Craft (6-8pm)
December 13, 2011 - How to Complete an Exhibition Proposal (6-8pm)

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center Craft Labs:

 September 14, 2011 - Pricing Your Work (10am-12pm), Budgeting (1-3pm)

The Energy Exchange in Burnsville will be hosting Craft Labs in the evenings from 6-8 pm. Join Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod and Director of Craft Entrepreneurship, Kari Rinn as they introduce topics to artists in the Burnsville area.

Burnsville Energy Exchange Craft Labs:

September 22, 2011 - Arranging and Selling For Your Booth (6-8pm)
October 6, 2011 - Why Buy HandMade? (6-8pm)
October 20, 2011 (6-8pm) - Budgeting (6-8pm)
November 17, 2011 (6-8pm) - How to Get Your Work Seen

Western Carolina University's Fine Art Museum Exhibit Reception

September 15  from 4 - 5 PM interview with artist John Lytle Wilson followed by a reception form 5-7 PM in the Fine Art Museum Atrium at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee NC. Wilson's current show at the Museum is "The Gods of the Machine", using animal and robot imagery as stand-ins for traditional human subjects, allowing him to explore issues like consciousness, free will and mortality.

The show continues through September 30. Western Carolina University is located at 199 Centennial Drive in Cullowhee, NC

Crafts For Clunkers

In conjunction with American Craft Week and East of Asheville Studio Tour, Black Mountain Studios are having their first annual Fine American Crafts for Clunkers Program:

What it is: a fundraiser to raise awareness for American Crafts, to raise funds for CERF+, Craft Emergency Relief fund, and to have FUN!

How it works: you bring your mass-produced clunker mug (which will be donated to the VA hospital) to Black Mountain Studios (626 Old Lytle Cove Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778) and give a donation of $10-20  and receive a hand crafted mug. Then, you can get your picture taken as a "mug shot" which will be posted on their facebook page and fans will vote on their favorite. Prizes will be awarded for the funniest, best and scariest mug shots.   For more information, email Black Mountain Studios.

Second Saturday Initiative, Collect Art Asheville - Today!

The River Arts District Artists are proud to participate in the region-wide Second Saturday Initiative, Collect Art Asheville. Artists and art organizations throughout Western North Carolina open their doors and host openings, events classes and workshops on the second weekend of each month.

Support your local artists and your community this weekend in the River Arts District.

Asheville Art Museum Art Break: Artists at Work: American Printmakers and the WPA

Sept 16,  12 Pm - 1 PM  at The Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC -  Art Break Series: Artists at Work - American Printmakers and the WPA  The September 16th Art Break will feature Art Historian, Julie Levin Caro. Art Break is a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our Curatorial and Education Departments, Docents and special guests.

Opening Reception at the Ashe Arts Council Gallery

September 9    Ashe Arts Council Opening Reception:    "Trees" - Paintings, photography, mixed media, fibers, clay, wood - an exhibit of all things related to trees.  Each month a new exhibit is housed in the Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center including paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography and More! The Ashe Arts Center is located at 303 School Ave in West Jefferson NC.

Upcoming Basketweaving Cloth Fiber Workshops

September 30 - Basket Making: Locust Spiral with Peggie Wilcox. In just one day you'll create a basket using natural materials. First you'll use Cedar Bark spokes arranged in a hexagon/star pattern. Then twining with Iris leaves, you'll spiral up the sides with stripes of Locust bark. To help with shaping, foot and neck borders will be incorporated. Your finished basket will measure 2 1/2"  x 3". Level of Expertise: all levels. Fee: $110 + materials fee.

October 1 - Basket Making: Bulrush & Iris with Peggie Wilcox. In this workshop you'll explore the use of basket molds with soft, natural plant materials. You'll start with Bulrush stakes and twine up the sides using Iris leaves. Other techniques such as cordage for handles and the use of a simple foot border will be taught. Gathering and prep of materials will be discussed. Instructor will provide basket molds. You'll leave the workshop with a finished basket measuring 2-4" x 3-5". Level of Expertise: all levels. Fee: $110 + materials fee.

For the complete summer/fall schedule and workshop materials lists and fees, please see the Class Description page on our website.

 

To register for workshops call 828.505.2958; stop by the studio, Mon-Sat, 10 am - 4 pm, or register online. Cloth Fiber Workshop is located in Asheville's River Arts District at Cotton Mill Studios, 122 Riverside Dr, #D, Asheville NC.

Hurricane Irene Impacts East Coast Artists

A Message from CERF (Craft Emergency Relief Fund)   

  

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you know, the east coast from North Carolina through New England is just taking count of the devastation resulting from Hurricane Irene. The flooding and resulting destruction in Vermont, where CERF+ is located, has been particularly intense and has fragmented roads that once connected Vermont, isolating entire communities.

  

Fortunately, our staff and office were not severely affected and we are in a good position to help. Right now, we are in the process of connecting with artists, organizations, businesses and others in the craft and arts community to offer assistance and recovery resources. While it is still too early to know how many artists have been impacted, we do know that overall the damage is severe and widespread. We also know that there is a particularly high population of artists in this region.

CERF+ is committed to helping and to keeping you informed about the ways in which you can help. To this end, we have set up a quick reference guide to resources on the CERF+ and Studio Protector websites, and other more regional and local resources. Please share this information with your friends and utilize our Facebook page to receive updates, post information about yourself, other artists, resources, and offers of assistance.   

Just as we're seeing neighbors helping neighbors in communities across Vermont, you are our community and we're counting on you for support during this time. Please help us spread the word about CERF+'s assistance and resources and consider making a contribution.

Sincerely yours,

 

Cornelia Carey 

Executive Director 

P.S. Please help us spread the word by passing this along to your family members, friends, and colleagues.

Address:

CERF+ PO Box 838

Montpelier, VT05601

Phone: (802) 229-2306 

CraftEmergency.org 

StudioProtector.org

September Classes at The Stecoah Valley Center for the Cultural Arts

Fun with Fabric Dye - Thursday, Sept 8 from 10:00 AM to 4 PM - Tuition: $45   In this class we will be using Procion MX fiber reactive dyes and a low water immersion dyeing technique. Rena Magolnick will teach the basics of using these wonderful dyes and in the process will dye a rayon scarf or half-yard of cotton fabric. The fee for this class includes everything you will need to dye one scarf or a half-yard of cotton fabric. Additional scarves and fabric will be available for purchase. Wear old clothes & an apron or smock as working with dye can get a bit messy……but that’s part of the fun!

Sept 14 from 9 AM to noon nad 1 to 3 PM: -  HandMade in America Craft Labs -  FREE
Pricing Your Work: Pricing your artwork is not a formula, even though many people want one. It can be a complicated set of calculations, but anyone can easily learn the various aspects that need to be taken into account when pricing your work. Come hear about all of those aspects of pricing your work.
Budgeting: Dealing with your inner creativity, often doesn’t leave time for dealing with your business. Come find out how to set up a budget for your business, giving you an idea of what it will take for you to run a sustainable business. Learn how to set up a budget in Excel and how to create a way to document your expenses and income. Bring your laptop if you have Excel to create your own budget.

North Carolina Farm Basket Class on Sept 14 from 10 AM to 3 PM - $55 (Tuition $30; Materials kit $25)  The fourth and final basket taught this summer by Renee Acord. Base is 10”x10”, height 91/2” and top diameter is 141/2 inches. Create this beautiful basket for your home while learning weaving twinning and filling techniques. Bring your lunch and plan on leaving with the finished basket!!! Class is limited to 6 students.

Paper- Piecing – Getting Quilt Blocks with Perfect Points on Sept 15 from 10:00 AM to 4 PM  - Tuition: $30.00.  Paper piecing is an excellent method to achieve perfect points in pieced blocks and can be used to make simple blocks or very intricate ones. Learn this technique while making one or more pieced quilt blocks. These blocks can be incorporated into a quilt, or used as the front of a pillow or tote bag. All you will need is a simple straight-stitch sewing machine, basic sewing supplies, and some fabric. If you don’t have a sewing machine that you can bring to class, don’t let that stop you. The Textiles Studio has sewing machines and basic sewing supplies available.

Afternoon Tea on Sept 15, from 2 PM - 5 PM - Tuition: $20   Learn the history of tea and how it became an “event”. Prepare scones and other traditional sweet and savory foods. Enjoy your high tea creations along with a couple of kinds of tea. Hats and gloves are welcome. Please bring your favorite tea cup.

Appetizers on Sept 16 from 2 PM to 5 PM - Tuition: $25    Everyone loves an hors d’oeuvre. Beauty, flavor, and novelty, all packed into a small bite, are what give a good “appetizer” its name. Participants will learn five recipes to make an elegant assortment for your next get together.

Chocolate Immersion Con Sept 17 from10 AM to 4 PM -  Tuition: $40
Learn to temper chocolate, the art of making truffles, rolled and molded chocolates, and more. You’ll take home pounds of chocolate that you created.

Pine Needle Basket Workshop on Sept 22 and 29 from 10 AM to 1 PM - Tuition: $50   In this beginner’s level class Betty Schmidt will teach the basic technique for pine needle basketry. Students will make a beautiful 6” basket with a carved wooden base. The fee for this class includes the materials. A sample is available for viewing at Stecoah Valley Center. This basket would make a wonderful holiday gift.

Quilted Tote Bag on Sept 24  from 10 AM to 5 PM - Tuition: $35.00   Come spend the day and make a beautiful quilted tote bag. You can use 1, 2 or 20 different fabrics. The choice is yours. If you made a block or two at the Paper Piecing Workshop, you can use these in your tote bag. You will need a sewing machine in good working condition, a “walking foot” or “even feed foot”, basic sewing supplies, and some fabric. If you don’t have a sewing machine that you can bring to class, don’t let that stop you. The Textiles Studio has sewing machines and basic sewing supplies available. A supplies & fabric list will be provided after you register.

The Stecoah Valley Center for Cultural Arts is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville (Stecoah Valley) NC

Jack Capenter Retirement Party at John C Campbell Folk School

Jack Carpenter, who worked in the John C Campbell Folk School Craft Department for over 50 years, has announced his retirement. Help celebrate Jack's wonderful contributions to the Folk School at a reception Thursday, September 15 from 4:00- 5:30 PM in the Community Room of Keith House.

September Exhibit at Spiers Gallery

September 5 - 30, at Brevard College - Art: 'Parallel Explorations' Exhibition. The exhibition is at Spiers Gallery - Admission FREE.

Maggie Valley Labor Day Weekend Craft Show continues today

September 3-4  Maggie Valley Labor Day Weekend Craft Show Crafters from all over the Southeast come together in Maggie Valley for an end of summer show and sale at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds

River Arts District welcomes artist Desiree DeMars

Encaustic artist Desiree DeMars frcently opened Sassafras Studio in the Riverview Station studio at 191 Lyman St. with fellow artists Bet Kindley & Mary Alice Ramsey.

Desiree's mystical encaustic pieces bring nature to mind with rustic colors, representing canyons and red rocks and vibrant coral-reef creations, as if the viewer were scanning the ocean floor. Most of her pieces are abstract. DeMars enjoys hearing studio visitors’ interpretations of her work and inspiring their imaginations. During one recent visit, a fox, ancient Japan, a pulsating jellyfish and moving water were all spotted in various creations.

Visit Desiree DeMars at Sassafras Studio inside Riverview Station at 191 Lyman Street Tuesdays - Saturdays from 11-4, or by appointment at 312.437.4325. Connect online at http://www.desireedemars.com/.

Labor Day Sale at Quilter's Quarters

Sept 1-5 at  Quilter's Quarters, 510 Dellwood Road in Waynesville NC - Labor Day sale. Stop by and see what's new:

Fall Fabrics Arriving - New from Moda, "Grand Finale" panel plus jelly rolls and charms.

New Kit - Red Rooster' new Haunted Hallow II...fun 48" x 48" fall wallhanging or table topper. They also have the new panel.

Button & Blooms - another great collection from Red Rooster with lots of cute projects. This is a great panel for hanging and purses.

New Fabrics - "Tonga Treats", 30 new bolts of batiks including Creamsicle, Gelato, Pomegranate, Lollipop, Blueberry Pie and Taffy.

Halloween fabric is available and if you liked the Stick Santa and Snowman, check out the Stick Witch. 

Kona Bay fabrics - "Rainbow Garden" looks like batik but it is all cotton with bright colors on black background.

Ot's Time to LAAFF again!

September 4    Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival (LAAFF)   LAAFF is an experience for the whole family. Kids will love making art, dancing, getting their faces painted and activities throughout the day. Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville is shut down for the day and filled with the largest independent street fair in the southeast.


Kids are also in on the act showing off their breakdancing, parading, and making music. The big “kids” will enjoy the ever popular bicycle jousting, local brews, an eclectic culinary and artistic experience, as well as the new big people game, Big Wheels for Big Kids.

Arts 2 People has been presenting LAAFF for 10 years with the support of the Asheville Community. Arts 2 People offers classes to the general public on a sliding scale, and provides arts-in-education opportunities to underprivileged populations. The organization is committed to strengthening the reputation Asheville has as a haven for the arts, continuing in importance with future growth.

Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound Exhibit opens at North Carolina History Museum

Sept. 9, at the North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Stree tin Raleigh NC -   Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound

This traveling exhibit explores the history and evolution of the legendary hunting dog, the only dog breed known to have originated in North Carolina. This small exhibit is from Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center