Featured Artist: Stina Andersen, Renegade Seamstress

Stina Anderson is the creative force behind ARTeries by Stina  - The Fashion Sewing Studio & Boutique located at the Wedge Studios in Asheville's River Arts District. Her contemporary clothing line is hand-built, piece by piece,  transforming old clothing into bold fashion designs. Her work is available at the Boutique, on Etsy or by custom commission.

ARTeries offers sewing classes and workshops from basic sewing to advanced patternmaking.

Lunchtime Art Break Today at the Asheville Art Museum

June 29, 12 - 1 PM at The Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC.  The 50th Anniversary celebration of WNC's Studio Glass Movement continues with a Curator-led tour of  Fire on the Mountain: Studio Glass in Western North Carolina.

The exhibit celebrates the history of the Studio Glass movement over the past 50 years and its ties to Western North Carolina. It provides an overview of the aesthetic and technical developments between 1962 and the present, particularly as the movement relates to the artists who live and work in the region.

Random Arts July Workshops

July 1 - Jane LaFazio "Watercolor Sketchbook - Designs from Life" $125. 10 AM till 4 PM (now full)

July 2  - Jane LaFazio - Wet Felting "Make felt the Tibetan way - Embellish the California way" 10 AM -  4 PM $125.

July 3  - ZenDoodle  10 AM - noon

July 10  - Random Art Journalers 10 AM - 2 PM

July 24  - Random Art Journalers 10 AM - 2 PM

Random Arts is located at 481 Louisiana Avenue in Saluda NC

Last Summer Art in the Park this Weekend in Asheville

June 30   Art in the Park  Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

HandMade in America Schedule of Craft Labs

Craft Lab at Haywood County Arts Council
Tuesday June 26 from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Exhibition Proposal   Taught by Wendy Outland

Craft Lab at HandMade In America
July 10 from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Artist Critique  Taught by Gwynne Rukenbrod

Craft Lab at Caldwell Arts Council
July 12 from 10-12  - Topic: Pricing Guidelines for Artists   Taught by Wendy Outland

Craft Lab at Haywood County Arts Council 
July 24th from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Arranging and Selling from Your Booth  Taught by Kari Rinn

Craft Lab at Caldwell Arts Council
August 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm  - Topic: How to Get Your Work Seen   Taught by Gwynne Rukenbrod

For details go the HandMade in America

Western Carolina University Hosts the Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show

June 30 - July 1 Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show at WCU Local art and crafts from 10 AM - 5 PM held in the Ramsey Center in climate-controlled comfort.

Contemporary art and crafts as well as heritage crafts including quilting, pine needle baskets, blacksmithing, clay art, folk dolls, corn shuck flowers, broom corn brooms, carved spirit sticks, and primitive furniture.

Center for Craft, Creativity & Design Announces Dialogue in Clay: A Cross-Cultural Learning Experience

From August 4 to 18, the Center for Creativity, Craft & Design will host its fourth International Artist Residency with Magdalene Odundo, OBE. The residency will provide students and faculty from Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University, Warren Wilson College, Haywood Community College, and the University of North Carolina Asheville a meaningful opportunity to work closely with a preeminent scholar artist over the course of two weeks.

The residency is structured in a way that allows for thoughtful dialogue, for consideration of other perspectives, and for exploring cultural diversity. Learning will take place on a number of levels within an immersive context. The students will contribute to open dialogue in an informal, intimate setting with peers that are outside their current learning environment. During the evenings following dinner, students and faculty will share information about their interests. Each day, Odundo will task students with different exercises towards realizing one or many resulting works of art. The residency provides a participatory, exploratory experience through craft.

"I am extremely interested in the sharing of ideas, the transfer of knowledge for ceramics arts and crafts practice in general, the exchange of academic experience and collaborations with colleagues at other institutions, universities and communities with my emphasis on links with developing countries. The latter for me is important because for many years artists from Europe and Americas have been inspired by art from these countries but not shared their acquired wealth materially or in spirit with those artists." Magdalene Odundo

Asheville Art Museum Hosts Brevard Music Center Summer Festival Mini Series

June 26 -  In conjunction with the Brevard Music Center's famed Summer Festival, the Asheville Art Museum is proudly partnering with the organization to host a series of three special performances at your Museum this summer. The Summer Festival Mini Series  Concerts will take place at 7:00 PM in the Museum's new Art works PRIMED East Wing Gallery on June 26, July 10 and July 17. Tickets are $6 for Museum Members, $10 for non Members.

The June Concert includes a recital of solo piano music by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and others, featuring young virtuosi from around the country who are in residence this summer at the Brevard Music Center.

Tryon Gallery Trot this Weekend

June 23   Tryon Gallery Trot   Tryon comes to life with galleries hosting opening receptions, late hours, or featuring special events. View new art exhibits, meet and talk with artists and craftspeople, or authors and illustrators,  enjoy light refreshments, and view art demonstrations and  performances.

Fine Art Print Fair at The Asheville Art Museum

June 22-24   Fine Art Print Fair  Hosted by the Asheville Art Museum the Fair will showcase dealers from around the United States and will appeal to both beginning collectors as well as more seasoned ones. Dealers will offer something for every taste or budget, from old master prints to contemporary photographs. A Preview Reception: Friday June 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. ($35 Museum Members,  $45 non-Members)

Art and Wine in Beech Mountain

June 20   Art History and Wine Tasting Buckeye has teamed up with the Beech Mountain Art Guild to bring you Art History Made Easy. Jerry Olsen, president of the BMAG will talk about one of his favorite artists during these presentations that will be paired with a wine tasting with local wineries.

Olsen will put the artists work into a recognizable historic perspective and show examples of what makes the work notable. A fun and enlightening program at the Buckeye Recreation Center at 5 PM. For ages 21 and up.

Art in the Park this Weekend in Asheville

June 23   Art in the Park   Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October.

Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Featured Artist: Daniel McClendon

Artist:  Daniel McClendon
NC City:  Asheville - Lift Studios in the River Arts District
Mission Statement:  My work is rooted in the idea that the most unique and unfettered creations come out of spontaneity. The difficult part is focusing enough energy to create a cohesive final product while maintaining a free and open approach. With that in mind, the main goal of my work is to showcase the unique and energetic process in which I paint. I try to create an array of relationships between color, negative space, line, texture and sheen and then I use imagery to ground the piece in reality.

Read more about Daniel McClendon on the River Arts District Blog.

John C Campbell Folk School Intergenerational Week

Registration is now open for Intergenerational Week at John C Campbell Folk School, July 15-21, 2012.  Register for a class during this special week designed to provide youths ages 12 and up the opportunity to take classes side-by-side with a parent, grandparent or other special relative or guardian.

Here are samples of classes offered during Intergenerational Week:
Basketry: Fun & Functional Basketry
Clay: Fundamentals in Clay
Woodcarving: Woodspirits & More

Music:  Learn to Play An(other) Instrument

Enameling, Metalwork: Blossoms, Big and Small
Stone/Sculpture, Gardening:  Hypertufa - Outdoor Sculptures

Quilting:   T-Shirt Quilt - A Scrapbook to Sleep Under

Needlework & Thread Art, Sewing:   Not Your Granny's Embroidery

See a complete list of classes offered during Intergenerational Week.

Appalachian Women Entrepreneur meetings in Todd, Flat Rock, Marion, Asheville and Cullowhee

The Theme for June is Marketing. Learn how to get published in magazines and blogs, and how to market through social media and video.  Every woman business owner in a craft based business is welcome..that encompasses Craft Maker/Artists, Farm/Food Production, Tourism, Natural Products, Craft Retail, Service Provider.

Asheville- 1st Wednesday of the Every Month- HandMade In America, 6-8 pm- The address is 125 S. Lexington Ave. Suite 101, Asheville, NC 28801. The offices are located on the corner of Church and Hillard Streets directly across from the Asheville Music School Parking Lot. Evening parking is located in that lot or in the Buffalo Wild Wings overflow parking lot on Church Street. Phone: 828.335.3102

Todd- 2nd Wednesday of Every Month- Todd Mercantile and Bakery, Wednesday, 5:30-7:30- The address is 3899 Todd Railroad Grade Road,
Todd, NC, 28684 
Phone: 336.877.5401

Flat Rock- 3rd Monday of Every Month- Blue Ridge Community College, Continuing Education Building Room 122, 5:30-7:30pm- The address is Continuing Education Building, West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731. It is the building on the corner of W Campus Drive and College Drive. The room is 122, on the first floor. Phone is 828.694.1700

Marion- 3rd Wednesday of Every Month- McDowell Technical Community College, Harold Smith Building Room 110, 5:30-7:30- The address is Harold Smith Building, 54 College Dr., Marion, NC 28752. The room is 110 on the first floor. Phone is 828.652.6021

Cullowhee- Wednesday June 27th -Western Carolina University, Fine Arts Museum Star Atrium, 10:00 am -12pm - Address is 199 Centennial Drive Cullowhee, NC 28723. Coming from NC 107, take a Right at the round about and park in Lot 13, directly past the Fine Arts Museum. (There will be signs) Phone: 828.227.3591

For more information about the Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs Program contact Yoko Morris at (828) 252-0121 or email her at ymorris@handmadeinamerica.org.

Summer Adult Classes at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

Summer adult class schedule at the Center includes instruction for 22 different crafts, including beginning and intermediate knitting, rug braiding, basket weaving, quilting and doll making. Get the complete class schedule HERE.  Pre-registration is required. You can register online, at the Gallery, or call 828-479-3364. Payment upon registration is preferred
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The Stecoah Valley Center offers life-long learning opportunities and services to meet a variety of community needs, including an after school program, and classes in the culinary arts as well as traditional crafts classes and business workshops. The Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville (Stecoah) NC.

Wilkesboro Open Air Market

June 15     Wilkesboro Open Air Market   Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market events series returns in 2012 starting on April 20 and continues the through August. Events will feature downtown merchants, food vendors, local wineries, musicians, regional farms and produce, arts and crafts, demonstrators, as well as non-profit and civic organizations. Each

Third Friday Open Air Market will be themed with live music, children's activities, contests, and more. The Regular Friday markets will happen every Friday and will feature the freshest produce and handmade crafts of the surrounding area

The Market is open from 4 PM - 8 PM.

Asheville's Art in the Park

June 16   Art in the Park Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Get a link for Asheville's Art in the Park and other Asheville events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

River Arts Studio Stroll Continues Today

June 9-10   Studio Stroll at the River Arts District The first, largest, and most walkable tour of working artists’ studios in the region, the River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad River. There will be artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend.

There is plenty of parking and you can catch the trolley at Riverview Station or any of the stops listed on the map. An Information Booth is located at the 5-points intersection of Depot St. across from Clingman Café.

Ooh La La Curiosity Market in Asheville's Pritchard Park

June 9   Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park  featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts.

West Asheville Studio Stroll this Weekend

June 9-10   West Asheville Studio Stroll   A behind-the-scenes look at the vibrant arts community in West Asheville which is quickly becoming one of the city's most vibrant arts centers. The tour begins at the east end of Haywood Road (just up the hill from the River Arts District) and continues along the street to the Interstate bridge.

Dillsboro Art and Music Festival - Rafters and Crafters

June 9     Dillsboro Art and Music Festival   Rafters and Crafters - Celebrate traditional mountain crafts and enjoy lively regional musicians, dancers and storytellers at this historic Dillsboro’s Annual event. 

In addition to Dillsboro’s unique shops and studios, Front Street is lined with tents featuring all kinds of art and fine crafts including basketry, pottery, weaving, quilting, woodworking, jewelry, stained glass, painting, photography and more.

HandMade in America announces: Ladies Friend-raising Lunchen still has seats available

June 14 11:30 - 1:30 at Chef Mo's Restaurant & Bar, Asheville NC. The Luncheon includes an entrée, dessert, wine and/or a non-alcoholic beverage. Each guest will also receive a small gift from Echoview Farm & Fiber Mill, our featured business for the luncheon.

 

This meal is more of a friend-raising than fundraising luncheon. Attendees will share a meal prepared by Chef Mo, enjoy some wine, and celebrate a Western North Carolina artist and businessperson named Julie Jensen. Julie lives in Weaverville, where she owns and operates Echoview Farm & Fiber Mill.

Her mission is to demonstrate that sustainable agriculture can work in Western North Carolina and beyond.  Echoview Fiber Mill is equipped to provide quality fiber processing from washing to yarns, felted fabrics, and anywhere in between.  You can learn more about Echoview here: http://www.echoviewfarm.com/

The luncheon is hosted by Angie Chandler, Pam Lewis and Stephanie Twitty along with featured business owner Julie Jensen. 

 

Please RSVP by June 11 to Rachel Berry at (828) 252-0121 x 305 or rberry@handmadeinamerica.org.

Two-part Tour of Studio Glass

Don't miss the two- part tour of Studio Glass:

First, enjoy a guided tour of current Museum exhibition
Fire on the Mountain: Studio Glass in Western North Carolina

  

followed by a tour of Glass Secessionism
at Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, 38 Biltmore Ave. in Asheville

Friday, June 8 (Noon) Free with Membership or Museum Admission

Led by glass artists Christina Bothwell & Robert Bender
Learn more here.

West Jefferson Gallery Crawl this Friday

June 8   West Jefferson Gallery Crawl   Stroll the streets of an historic mountain town, enjoy the cool mountain breeze while listening to the sounds of street musicians and "popping" in and out of West Jefferson's many galleries. Open House in more than 15 art galleries and studios.

2012 Quilt Symposium at WCU

June 7-10   2012 Quilt Symposium  - Stars over the Smokies  3 days of workshops and lectures by well-known quilt instructors. Attendees may stay on campus or attend as a day student. There are still classes available and registration is possible up to the beginning of the event. If class spaces are still available on June 7, you may still register for single day long classes on Friday or Saturday, or a lecture on Sunday morning.

The Quilt Show, in Hinds University Center will have over 300 quilts, 24 vendors, a silent auction, a raffle quilt, and other events. The admission price is $5 per day. You may also purchase tickets for Linda Cantrell's humorous lecture, “Applique—I did it my way.” The lecture will be Saturday night at 7 pm at Coulter Auditorium. The cost for the lecture is $10. The show will be open to the public during the following hours: Thursday, June 7th, 3-7pm. Friday and Saturday, June 8th and 9th, 9am - 7pm. Sunday, June 10th, 9-11am

Western Carolina University will also have an art quilt exhibit at the Fine Arts Center and a vintage quilt exhibit at the Heritage Center. These museums will be open during symposium on Thursday evening and Friday, and both exhibits will be open all summer.

John C Campbell Folk School Gala and Benefit Auction this Saturday

Don't miss one of the most joyous and exciting events of the year! The Annual Folk School Gala & Benefit Auction will be held in the Keith House this Saturday, June 9, 2012 starting at 5 PM. There will be delicious food, drinks, lively music, art, and live bidding lead by auctioneers Bob Grove and Tim Ryan.

Talented artists generously donated some of their finest pieces for this year's auction. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit Folk School studios, equipment, and general programming. Browse a complete list of artists who have donated.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event. Purchase your advance tickets HERE.     

Foothills Craft Fair held in Conjunction with The Blue Ridge Barbeque and Musical Festival

June 8-9  The Foothills Craft Fair has become an important part of the Annual Blue Ridge Barbeque and Music Festival in Tryon NC. Dotted along the Pacolet River, many of the artisans demonstrate their skills and enjoy chatting with you about their craft. The juried Fair offers a variety of handcrafted items for show and sale to the 20,000 - or so- visitors attending the Fair each year.

The Festival includes two full days of live music performances and one of the most popular sanctioned barbecue competitions in the United States.

Jane LaFazio Workshops at Random Arts

June 29, 10 AM - 4 PM -  only 3 spaces left at the Monoprinting on fabric workshop conducted by Jane LaFazio. Not only can you experience Mono printing but Jane will also offer 2 of her popular Sketch & Watercolor workshops that have filled up every time that she has come to Random Arts. Felting the Tibetan Way will be her 4th day of workshops on July 2nd and samples of her work can be seen at the shop or on her website and blog. Each workshop is $125. and is from 10 AM till 4 PM each day. Take 1, 2, 3, or 4 of her classes and enjoy all that Jane LaFazio has to offer. CLICK HERE for details and registration.

Random Arts is located at 481 Louisiana Avenue in Saluda NC.

River Arts District Studio Stroll

June 9-10, 10 AM - 6 PM Head for the River Arts District Studio Stroll and a  weekend full of artist demonstrations, workshops, family fun and amazing art. 180 artists of various mediums open up their studios to share their talent. A few highlights of the June Stroll include:

 - Visit Court McCracken at The Hatchery Studios Studio #141 both days from 2-2:30 for the Top 3 Ways to Begin Nurturing Your Creativity Today.

 - Stroll on in to Studio 375 Depot and right into Planet Art for a Chair Caning demonstration both Sat & Sun 12-4.

 - Watch Stephen Lange in his studio at the Wedge building do some Design Demos both Sat-Sun 12-6.

The Stroll is the first, largest, and most walkable tour of working artists’ studios in the region. The River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad River. There are artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend.

Getting to and around in the River Arts District is a breeze. Accessible by car from Downtown, West Asheville, and Biltmore Village, there is plenty of parking. Catch the trolley at any of the stops listed on the map.  During the Studio Stroll, an Information Booth is located at the 5-points intersection of Depot St. across from the Clingman Café.

Summer Classes at Penland School of Crafts

It's not too late to take a class at Penland this summer.  There are still openings in a bunch of fabulous workshops:  Click here for a complete list of summer classes with open spaces.

For example, here's a look at just one of the fantastic classes you could take at Penland:

A Worthy Vessel with James Viste - Session 3 (June 24 - July 6) in the iron studio:  This class will involve the manipulation of ferrous materials through a combination of forging, fabrication, and low-relief die-forge production and application to create functional/sculptural vessels. There will be an emphasis on the observation and influence of other craft materials such as clay, wood, fabric, and leather. All levels.

James Viste is an artist blacksmith and the manager of Edgewise Forge. He teaches at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.

Grovewood Gallery's Annual Garden Sculpture Exhibit opens this Weekend

June 2 - December 31 at the Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Road in Asheville NC:  5th Annual Sculpture for the Garden    - An outdoor sculpture invitational featuring contemporary sculptures by nationally-recognized artists. Sculptures range from playful pieces suitable for the home or garden, to works for public spaces and corporate settings.

This year's participants include Ralph Berger, Stefan Steebo Bonitz, Grace Cathey, Cricket Forge & Don Drumm, Jeff Hackney, Roger Martin, Royal Miree, Sean Pace, Dale Rogers, Lyman Whitaker, and Charles McBride White.