A Celebration of Art and Antiques at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

August 2-5   A Celebration of Art and 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. The event is open to the public.

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is located on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in Blowing Rock NC. Learn more about Blowing Rock NC HERE.

Random Art Market Returns in October

The Random Arts  2nd Art Market sale of arts and crafts supplies is scheduled for Saturday October 20,   10 AM - 4  PM.   Start cleaning out your studio and gathering your unloved, unwanted or unused arts and crafts supplies, books, fibers, fabrics and more and join the others who came to do the same this past May, with great success.   Download a Vendor application HERE.

The fall Market will be collaborating with The Artists Faire in town at the Wildflour Bakery & Joni's Wine Shoppe. While the Art Market in the Random Arts courtyard is for those selling arts and crafts supplies,  The Wildfour Bakery Faire is for artists selling completed works. So whether you would like to sell supplies or your own original artwork,  there is a venuet for you in Saluda on Oct. 20.

There is a limit of 20 sellers at Random Arts and the Wildflour has room for 20 with only 10 spaces still available.  It's PEAK LEAF SEASON and Saluda will be buzzing with tourists. Booth rental is only $20.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk this Weekend

August 3   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running.

25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Featured Artist: Lori Theiault, Potter

Lori Theriault was filmed at last weekend's Southern Highland Craft Fair demonstrating and discussing her theme, "Homemade is better on Handmade"

Opening Reception at The Asheville Art Museum

August 3, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, The Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC Opening Reception: Mel Chin: High, Low and In Between   A special presentation of The Funk & Wag from A to Z and meditations on war, religion, and politics.  The exhibit opens Friday, July 27 and continues through Sunday, November 25, 2012. The opening reception is Free with Membership or Museum Admission.

The Funk and Wag from A to Z by Mel Chin

Mel Chin's work evades easy classification. Analytical and poetic, he conjoins cross-cultural aesthetics with complex ideas. His investigations explore our natural and social ecology and the ways art can provoke greater social awareness and responsibility.

Get Tickets now for the 3rd Culinary Collaboration Dinner at John C Campbell Folk School

September 1, 6 PM - Folk School chefs are gearing up for the next Culinary Collaboration Dinner, From the Mountains to the Sea - Southern France to Italy,

Showcasing the Folk School's cooking program and its many talented instructors, the dinner promises to be a memorable evening of creative food design, ambiance, and savory culinary delights.

The menu will feature dishes by Steve Cipriano, Nanette Davidson, Carla Owen, Barbara Swell, Susan Hutchinson, Martha Vining, Tony Pisconeri, and Penny & David Prichard. A full menu will be posted on our website in early August.

Tickets are available on the website or in person at the Folk School's Craft Shop. Admission is: $65 per person; $120 for couples; $450 for tables of 8. 

Blue Ridge Mountain Fiar and Quilt Show

July 27-28  Blue Ridge Mountain Fair   Discover the handiwork of local artisans at this arts and crafts fair, held in the heart of Sparta NC at Crouse Park. The event features local artisans, entertainment and food vendors.

Fairgoers also have a chance to visit the Alleghany Quilter’s Guild Show at the Black Exhibition Building at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds on US 21, 1.5 miles north of Sparta.See the creativity of local quilters and vote on your favorite for the People’s Choice Award. There will bea variety of  demonstrations each day including hand appliqué, hand quilting, felting, hairpin lace, etc

A free shuttle bus will be available between the Quilt Show, the Blue Ridge Crafts Show, and the Vintage Car Show.

Get a link for the Blue Ridge Mountain Fair, vacation rentals and other Sparta events on the Sparta NC Visitor Guide

Artists Sought to Participate in 100th Anniversary Celebration

The Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance is seeking arts and craft vendors to participate in the celebration acknowledging Andrews Geyser’s 100th anniversary.  The festival will be held in downtown Old Fort in and around the c. 1881 train depot on September 22, 2012 from 11 AM - 4 PM  The vendor fee is $25.00 payable on the day of the event.  Electrical outlets are available, if needed.

In 1879, the Western North Carolina Railroad built Andrews Geyser as a tourist attraction.  It was placed adjacent to Round Knob Hotel and entertained train passengers for years as they approached their destination.  Today, the geyser is a public park adjacent to spectacular Mill Creek and is also a site on the North Carolina Civil War Trail.

 

The Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance is a 501(c)(3) working with the town of Old Fort to increase economic development opportunities. Contact them at  ofmhalliance@gmail.com.

HandMade in America Celebrates Asheville's Grovewood Gallery

August 30, 6:00-9:00 PM, A Handmande Meal with HandMade in America - Join HandMade in America to celebrate Asheville's own Grovewood Gallery, enjoy a handmade meal, local wine, and walk away with a handcrafted gift from Grovewood Gallery. All lovers of Western North Carolina craft are invited so please share this invitation with your friends and family.

Hosted by Diane and Bob Levy, the celebration marks Gorvewood's 20th year of operation with a private four course dinner prepared by Chef Mauricio “Mo” Abreu, and local wine from Appalachian Vintners.

Grovewood Gallery is located in Asheville, North Carolina, next to The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. The gallery was opened in 1992 to revitalize the Homespun Shops that once housed the famous weaving and woodworking complex of Biltmore Industries. Grovewood showcases 9,000 square-feet of traditional and contemporary crafts by more than 500 artists from Western North Carolina and around the United States. Over the years, Grovewood has earned the reputation of being one of the nation's top retailers of fine American craft.
The special guests for the evening are Grovewood Gallery owners Barbara Blomberg and Marilyn Patton and Grovewood Gallery general manager Sherry Masters. Tickets are $100 per person, and will include four specially prepared courses, local wine and a handmade object from Grovewood Gallery. Proceeds from this dinner benefit HandMade in America, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that grows economies through craft entrepreneurship, economic development and education.

Please RSVP by August 28th to Janelle Wienke at (828) 252-0121 x 307 or jwienke@handmadeinamerica.org. 

Random Arts announces new supplies

Beads, bracelets, pendants, scarves, bags and more will be coming soon to the shop, with a newly discovered treasure trove of brand new products. Most "goodies" will start arriving in a week or so but in the meantime stop in and see the new year round scarves, that will be sure to add pizazz to any outfit. Great for gift giving too.

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

An Ode to the River Arts District

An ode to the district...  [The hands always moving.]

Stepping along from space to place, enchanted by the creations
of the hands always moving
the summer sun beats down,
blossoms creativity

submitted by the River Arts District Blog

with the heat
the artists stop to smile
to explain their secrets
their inspirations
their elavations
and then they go on about their day
dip in paint
dip in clay
threading needles
threading lines
shaping glass
shaping movement of this place
where the river moves and flows
where the people step and go
where eyes and doors open
time without time again...

Get down to the River Arts District  to see hands moving, creativity blossoming and experience time without time again...

Read more on the River Arts District Blog or Check out the River Arts District calendar to see upcoming events.

Historic Pisgah Forest Pottery Celebration Today

July 20-21  Celebration at Pisgah Forest Pottery -  Pisgah Forest was established in the early 1920s as the third pottery of Walter B. Stephen. Stephen's potting began in 1904 and he established North Carolina's first art pottery, Nonconnah, in Skyland in 1913.

Several things are remarkable about this site. It has been preserved by Stephen's step-grandson, Thomas Case, virtually as it was in the 20s and 30s. The original equipment, kilns, glaze containers, etc. are as photographed in that era. Also his contributions to American ceramics are nationally recognized. His two most important are his crystalline glazes, the first developed in the South, and his cameo decorations of American folk life scenes. On the cameo works he recalled his early days in the west near the Sioux Indians.

Free guided tours of the pottery and demonstrations of Stephens's early pottery techniques by Rodney H. Leftwich, author of the book on Pisgah Forest Pottery. .These talks will be informal and ongoing both days. Located 3 miles south of I-26 exit 33 ( Biltmore Square Mall). Follow Hwy. 191 past the Arboretum and Parkway. Event is on the left.

Pianoforte Series at the Asheville Art Museum

July 22, 3 PM at the Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville - Pianoforte Summertime Recital.  Pianist Teresa Sumpter returns to the Pianoforte Series with a selection of pieces by Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, and Schoenberg. Dr. Sumpter has performed in venues throughout the U.S., and teaches piano and music theory at Mars Hill College.

Advanced reservations are recommended. Contact the Museum's front desk at 828.253.3227.  $6 Museum Members, $8 + Admission, non-Members

Wilkesboro Open Air Market this Friday

July 20  Wilkesboro Open Air Market   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.

Quilting and heritage Crafts at the Franklin Folk Festival

July 21  9th Annual Franklin Folk Festival   More than 100 living exhibits and demonstrations allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when. These folks learned at their parents’ knee woodcarving, moon shining, basket making, weaving and spinning, and all the many other things they’ll be demonstrating.
Exhibits include everything from quilting and moonshinin' to Civil War reenactors. Activities get underway at 9:00 AM and conclude with Pickin' on the Square in the evening.

This year a special event, the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Franklin Fire Department, will held in collaboration with the festival and will feature booths, speakers, games, and vintage trucks, equipment and memorabilia. There will be antique Fire Engines on Display along the west end of Main Street plus an old fashioned bucket brigade challenge and other games & contests for all ages. The Fire Department Celebration area will kick off at 11:00 AM. in front of Macon Bank with greetings from the NC State Fire Marshal, Wayne Goodwin.

Get a link for more details about the Franklin Folk Festival and Franklin cabin rentals, restaurants and attractions on the Franklin NC Visitor Guide.

"Summer Music Performances at your Museum" final concert of the Season

July 17, 7 PM in the new East Wing of the Asheville Art Musuem the last perfomance at your museum for 2012. In conjunction with the Brevard Music Center's beloved Summer Festival, now in its 76th season, the Asheville Art Museum is proudly partnering with the organization to host a series of special performances this summer. Concerts take place at 7:00 PM in the Museum's new Art works PRIMED East Wing Gallery. July 17 is the final performance of the series.   Click here to learn more about tonight's program.

Call Museum at 828.253.3227 or visit the front desk to purchase tickets and for more information. Seats are still available for the concert.

Art and Craft Gallery Opens on Main Street in Saluda

Kathleen Carson has announced the opening of her new Saluda gallery,  Kathleen's Art & Crafts Gallery at Main Street. The gallery will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM - 5 PM with some later hours on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Carson is relocating her gallery from Tryon to Saluda to increase  exposure for the gallery with Saluda's bustling weekend activity on Main Street. In her shop, you will find an eclectic blend of functional and funky arts and crafts from North and South Carolina regional artists. There is something for everyone and a variety of prices. Some of the established local artists include Lucinda and Jerry Pittman, Sue Cannon and Susie Welsh. 

Contact the Gallery at 828-749-2640 or email info@kathleensgallery.com.

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

July 19 - 22   65th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands   Over 200 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment bring Asheville's Civic Center alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts. Both levels of the Center offer artisans exhibiting and selling works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. 

The Fair  showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild with members living in the mountain counties of nine states from Maryland to Alabama.

A few of this year's Southern Highlands Craft fair include: 

Una Barrett

Alan Hollar

Wendy Seaward

Becky & Steve Lloyd

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands >>

HandMade in America Artist Registry

HandMade in America's Craft Registry is open to Western north Carolina artists and galleries as a free services to artisans and the public.  Registration is easy and only takes a few minutes. The registry allows the public to connect with an artist or gallery through a search feature which sorts by medium, town, county, name or keyword.

The public may also view the entire artist and gallery list with website and email links, photos and work description and location. The recently-update Registry is a great way to "know before you go" whether you are visiting the WNC area or a resident looking for the perfect piece of Western North Carolina art.

HandMade in America is a nonprofit North Carolina organization whose mission is  "To grow the economy through craft, cultural heritage and the community assets of Western North Carolina."

Check out these samples or search the HandMade Craft Registry HERE:

Judi Jetson

http://judijetson.com
judi@judijetson.com

Media: Fiber Specialty: I'm a weaver, dyer, spinner, papermaker teacher and collaborator who loves bold colors and textures, bringing people together and stretching boundaries. An arts entrepreneur, I co-owned Handmade in Florida Craft Gallery in Ybor City with Gary Burge from 2004-2006, and brought an international weaving conference (Convergence) to town along with 2,000 fiber artists, and organized 50 shows around the region. My life’s work is creating partnerships to make communities and neighborhoods great places to live, work and play.

Bailey Arend

509-540-1859
http://www.baileyarend.wordpress.com
bailey.arend@gmail.com

Media: Clay Specialty: I use red earthenware, thrown on the potters wheel to create functional forms. I address the surfaces with pinching, carving and slip and fire to cone 6 in oxidation. I am drawn to the combination of tightly-thrown forms and loose traces of my hand. I aim to bring a personal touch to functional ceramic art.

Galleries: The Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, 236 Clingman Ave Ext Asheville, NC, 28801
Professional Affiliations: Resident Artist, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC.
Shows: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC, Fall 2010- present. River Arts District Studio Stroll, Asheville, NC, Fall 2010- present

Ariel Gallery

19 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
828-236-2660
http://www.arielcraftgallery.com
info@arielcraftgallery.com

Media: Clay, Fiber, Glass, Metal, Natural Material (Vegetable), Wood, Mixed Media Signature Crafts:

Crafts Sought After: clay, fiber, furniture, glass, iron, jewelry, and paper; all local to the Asheville area
Exhibitions: They include rotating exhibits of cooperative members

Artists Statements

8 Town Square
Burnsville, NC 28714
828-682-0295
http://www.artistsstatements.com
info@artistsstatements.com

Media: Clay, Glass, Mixed Media Signature Crafts: clay

Crafts Sought After: clay, jewelry, wood
Exhibitions: Themes change periodically, often in conjunction with local events and seasonally

Chalk it Up in Hendersonville

 July 14    Chalk It Up   The sidewalks of Historic Downtown Hendersonville become the canvas for some outstanding works of art. The event is free and open to five age categories from age 5 and under to age 21 and over. This is an all day event.

Get a link for more details about Chalk it Up on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide.

Asheville Art Museum Lunchtime Art Break

July 13, 12:00 - 1:00 at the Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square in Asheville NC:  Ancient Forms, Modern Minds: Contemporary Cherokee Ceramics. This is an Artist-Led Tour and Discussion Cherokee potter Joel Queen, whose works are featured in the current exhibition Ancient Forms, Modern Minds. 

Joel Queen, corn bowl

Among the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians there are a wide array of talented artists working in different media. In this exhibition, the Museum explores ceramics made by contemporary artists who blend contemporary and traditional designs and techniques.

The Asheville Art Museum offers a series of gallery talks and presentations, "Art Breaks", designed to engage Museum visitors in dialogue with staff members of the Curatorial and Education departments, Museum Docents and special guests such as featured artists.

West Jefferson Gallery Crawl

July 13   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. More than 15 art galleries and studios participate in the Open House event.

Cloth Fiber Workshop offers Dye and Shibori Resists with MX Class

August 17 - 18, 10 AM to 5 PM at Cloth Fiber Workshop, 122 Riverside Drive, Studio D in Asheville's River Arts District - Shibori Resists with MX Dyes with Heather Hietala. The focus of this workshop is exploring pattern, color and imagery through Shibori or resist dying using Procion MX dyes.

Working with natural fibers and stitching, clamping, and pole wrapping you'll create controlled yet not, patterns of color. MX dyes are translucent and work wonderfully over dyed fabrics adding another layer of pattern and color. A wonderful rayon scarf will be provided in addition to the fabrics you bring to experiment on. Safe studio procedures using MX dyes will be covered. Level of expertise: all levels. Fee: $175 + materials fee.

Art in the Park this weekend in Blowing Rock

July 14   Art in the Park    A juried arts & craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a month from May to October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. Prices for objects, from a handmade postcard to a large piece of furniture, range from $5 to $5,000.  Located in Blowing Rock NC

River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend

July 14   River Arts District Second Saturday  Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

The  River Arts District  is open year around with artists working daily in their studios. Schedules for open studios and events are available online.  The District, a unique neighborhood along the French Broad River, is home to more than 165 artists located in 18 turn-of-the-century industrial buildings.

The range of art being created is amazing. From cutting edge sculpture and paintings to traditional raku fired pottery along with everything in-between, the District is a hub of today's art and crafts culture. In addition to the studios and galleries, the District offers a variety of dining and a brewery, with more unique experiences being added each year.

Dusty Roads Photography Exhibit Opens at the NC Arboretum

July 7 - September 28  Dusty Roads Photography Exhibit at the NC Arboretum A collection of 32 photographs of junkyard cars and trucks, restored antique classic cars, tractors, big rigs and more that Barbara Sammons has found on her back-road travels across North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky

West Jefferson Gallery Crawl on Sunday this Week

July 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.

Asheville's Ooh La La Curiosity Market

July 7  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.

The Big Crafty at the Asheville Art Museum

July 8   The Big Crafty returns to the Asheville Art Museum. The event celebrates and showcases the fine wares of over 100 independent indie crafters, artists and makers. The complete line up of participating artists is now available online. This is a free, family-friendly event.

In addition to the Craft Event, be sure to browse the Museum's many current exhibits including  Ancient Forms, Modern Minds: Contemporary Cherokee Ceramics and other exhibits in the museum. Stop by the Family Art pARTy from 1 PM to 4 PM offering Hands-on art activities for all ages.

Creative 4th of July Fireworks

Ribbon Sale at Random Ats

RIBBON SALE GOING  ON NOW!

 Big savings for you as Random Arts closes out lots of  ribbons and packages up exquisitely beautiful remnants and lengths including French imports. They have priced these to sell and when they're gone... they're gone and all new ribbons will be on the shelves with new inspiration for all of us.

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

John C Campbell Folk School new Catalogs now available

The newest JCCFS Course Catalog, July 2012-June 2013, is now available.  The cover features The Traveler, a beautiful watercolor painting by instructor Suzanne DesLauriers. The painting celebrates the journey of the monarch butterfly to the Folk School's garden.

"The 1500-mile migration pattern of the monarch butterfly is quite remarkable, and this painting fits right in with the way so many people travel from many different places to take a class at the Folk School." -Suzy

So regardless of whether you are a butterfly or a student, the Folk School is a wonderful place to reach on your travels.  If you have never received a catalog in the mail  and would like to, fill out our online form, and start to brighten up your mailbox with Folk School possibilities.
The John C Campbell Catalog covers are works of art typical of the skills learned and expressed at the Folk School.  See catalog covers of the past & present on the School's Facebook gallery.

HandeMade in America Call for Artists

HandMade in America has announced a call for entry for the upcoming exhibition From Hand to Hand.  This exhibition will celebrate craft artists living in the 25 counties of Western North Carolina as defined on the HandMade website. 

The theme of the exhibition is functional craft objects made in Western North Carolina.  Craft is defined as made from clay, glass, fiber, metal, wood, recycled/reused materials, and natural products.  All entries must be functional.  Entries will be judged on technical proficiency, innovative/creative use of medium, and relevance.

From Hand to Hand will be juried by HandMade Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod, and Anna Fariello, Director of the Craft Revival Project at Western Carolina University.

The entry deadline is July 13
, 2012 by 5 PM and artists will be notified of acceptance on July 23. The Exhibition will run from August 24 through November 16 with an opening reception on August 24 from 5:30 PM - 8 PM.

Get complete details and an entry form at HandMade in America

Cashiers Mountain Music Festival

June 30 - July 1  Cashiers Mountain Music Festival 2012 The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Fourth Annual Cashiers Mountain Music Festival. Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for a two day pass, children 12 and under are free. Bring a chair or blanket. No coolers, pets or firearms. Fireworks are planned at dark on Sunday, July 1. Arts, crafts, food, drinks and a children's zone. Musicians are encouraged to bring instruments for jamming in the park. There will be a local church barbecue fundraiser on Saturday, June 30.