Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk this Friday

August 2  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.

7th Annual Art & Antiques Show this weekend in Blowing Rock NC

August 1-4   7th Annual Art & Antiques Show   at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum This sale and show offers heirloom-quality antique silver, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, crystal and more. Vendors from across the East Coast bring a variety of items. Cost $10/ticket (good for the entire show).

Preview Party 8/1 from 6 - 8 PM.  The Preview Party this year is unique. As always, serious shoppers will get a sneak peak and early buying opportunity while enjoying wine and cheese at the Museum. Then preview party participants will be transported to a new eatery in downtown Blowing Rock, the New Public House and Hotel for a private dinner. 

Get links for complete visitor information on the Blowing Rock NC Guide. 

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair this Weekend

August 2-3   57th Annual Mount Mitchell Craft Fair   Hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors will participate in the 56th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair. The event takes place on the Town Square and surrounding streets. Handcrafters from all over the United States come to sell their wares including baskets, candles, kettle corn, pottery, stained glass, and so much more. The event is free to the public with entertainment throughout the day.

Get complete local visitor information on the Burnsville NC Guide.

Spruce Pine NC Hosts the 29th Annual Grassy Creek Gem Show

July 29 - August 4   29th Annual Grassy Creek Gem Show    An outdoor gem show featuring dealers from around the world. Items for sale include jewelry, raw minerals and jewels, equipment, gemstones, fossils and more.

There are 72 dealers who have all kinds of gemstones, mineral specimens, jewelry, beads, fossils, and lots more. Admission is FREE. Parking is FREE. The event is held at the Parkway Fire and Rescue Department at 12966 Hwy. 226 South, in Spruce Pine, NC, halfway between US 19E and the Blue Ridge Parkway (exit 331).

Get complete visitor information on the Spruce Pine NC Guide.

27th Rosen Sculpture Walk at ASU

July 27    An Appalachian Summer Festival: 27th Rosen Sculpture Walk   The Sculpture Walk will begin at the Catherine J. Smith Gallery in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Sculpture found in public places like the campus of Appalachian State University is always a treat. The Rosen Sculpture Exhibition is a destination. This is a FREE event.

Wilkesboro Open Air Market Features NC arts and crafts

July 26   Wilkesboro Open Air Market    Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market 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. This Third Friday in July the 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.

Get complete visitor information for Wilkesboro NC HERE.  

Penland Summer Classes Still Available

There are still 16 amazing classes you can sign up for at Penland School of Crafts in the summer of 2013. Here's a look at one of them:

August 11 - 23, 2013 in the clay studio - Tetsuya Yamada - Object & Context   In this mixed-media sculpture class, we will investigate perception, context and the meaning of objects. Objects, their surroundings, and our knowledge can be processed in our minds to create a kind of narrative. We will work with high-fire stoneware and other materials and cover how to handle clay and the use of simple plaster press molds. Discussions, slide lectures, and demonstrations will help students develop creative thinking. This class welcomes students of all levels.

Click here for complete information about this and Penland's other summer ceramics workshops.

Get a list of all summer classes that still have open space.

Partial Scholarships Available. There are still a few partial scholarship awards for summer 2013 workshops. They will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Summer Standby -
Penland offers half-price tuition to all K-12 teachers, current college, university, or community college faculty, and residents of several nearby counties (a complete list is available on our website) who take unfilled spaces Penland summer classes two weeks or less before the first day of the class; regular room and board fees apply.

Click here for complete information about our summer standby program.


   

Bele Chere Festival in Asheville Features the Arts Park

July 26-28   Bele Chere Festival   The largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast. The three-day festival on the streets of Downtown Asheville features live, original music all day and night for 200,000 festival-goers. Bele Chere means "beautiful living" and comes from an ancient Scottish dialect. Bele Chere offers the unique opportunity to see, taste and hear some of the region's finest art, cuisine and music.

The Arts Park features some of the best artists of Bele Chere, exhibiting jewelry, photography, pottery, woodwork, paintings, and metalwork. All items sold in the Arts Park are handmade. Visit the selected artists in the Drhumor and Asheville Savings Bank lots on Patton Avenue between Church Street and Lexington Avenue. Artists not featured in the Arts Park exhibit throughout the festival grounds. 

Get complete visitor information about Asheville NC HERE. 

New Arrivals at the Stecoah Artisans Gallery

Recently-added items at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center Gallery include a series of musical instrument paintings by Wendelyn Cordwell, quilted table runners by Rena Magolnick, hand-crafted wine racks by James Ewing as well as Stecoah's branded merchandise:  hats, koozies and coffee mugs.

 

The Stecoah Artisans Gallery is open 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, and in the evenings of the 'An Appalachian Evening' concerts.  The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville NC.

NC Arts and Crafts at the Wilkesboro Open Air Market this Weekend

July 26     Wilkesboro Open Air Market   Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market events series returns in 2013 starting in April and continuing 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

HandMade in America Offers the Opportunity to Artists to Tell Your Story

HandMade in America would like to feature your story in their Blog, Connected. Send your journey with craft and also take a moment to answer some questions about your HandMade in America experiences.  By participating, you will receive exposure through the blog, newsletters, and social media.

Deadline:
Submit your interview on or before Friday, August 2nd, 2013.

Participation Directions:
Answer the questions below, paste into the body of an email to Lindsey, operations manager or print and return in person.  HandMade is also encouraging you to include 1-3 photos of your work (one of yourself, or you with your work).

 

Questions? Contact Linsey at 828.252.0121 x 303 or lmudge@handmadeinamerica.orgInterview Questions:

Name:
Business Name (if you have one):
Email:
Website:
Medium:

Studio Location or Town/City of Residence:

• What is your story?  How did you get to where you are now with your craft?
• How does your location and your surroundings inspire you?
• Describe your work in 5 words or less?
• How long have you been involved with HandMade in America?
• What HIA services do you use?
• What has been your most memorable experience with HIA?
• What about HIA would you like to be different? (suggestion)  
  
  

Franklin Hosts the 48th Annual Macon County Gemboree

July 25 - 28   48th Annual Macon County Gemboree   The Second oldest gem and mineral show in the Southeast features dealers from across the United States. Rough and cut gemstones, minerals, lapidary equipment and much more. The event is sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and the Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin.

Get complete visitor information for Franklin NC HERE.

See Live Craft Demonstrations at this week's Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville

July 18 - 21 Craft Fair Demonstrations and Entertainment: at the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands:

Sam Johnson: bamboo fly rods. Sam Johnson of Dahlonega, GA, will lead Fair visitors through the process of creating bamboo fly rods. He has been a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild since 2011. 

John Richards: mixed media assemblage. From his vast supply of bottle caps, can lids, spark plugs, collage papers, chipboards, wood scraps, plastic toys, clay shards, used brushes and other found objects, John Richards of Burnsville, NC, will demonstrate his process of creating mixed media sculpture. John has been a member of the SHCG since 2005.

Elaine Olinger: fiber demonstrations. Elaine Olinger of Rogersville, TN, will demonstrate dyeing yarns and fabric using natural dyes and resist techniques. She will also be spinning wool and fiber blends with the spinning wheel. Elaine has been a member of the SHCG since 1988.

Arts for Life: children’s activities. Arts For Life is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and young adults facing serious illnesses. They have been invited to share their mission with fair-goers while providing an opportunity for kids (and adults) to experience hands-on craft activites.

Hear Music of the Mountains:  
Friday, July 19
11AM – Chompin at the Bit String Band. A group of spirited young pickers continuing the strong music traditions of Brasstown, NC.
1 PM – Carol Rifkin and Paul’s Creek. Paul’s Creek plays original and traditional mountain music, their fine harmonies blending in an old timey style heavily influenced by the elders of the region, family, friends and diverse interests.
3 PM – Timberline. Smooth folk harmonies characterize this band featuring guitarist Gene Holdway, a travelling bluegrass troubadour with 30 years experience.

Saturday, July 20:
11AM– Southern Crescent Bluegrass. Asheville area musicians, led by Tommy Thompson, specializing in traditional bluegrass standards.
1 PM – Split Rail. Split Rail provides a great continuity of sound that can only be achieved from years of playing together. Strong vocal harmony is their trademark.
3 PM – Moore Brothers Band. Led by a duo of young brothers from Hickory, NC, this band plays bluegrass and gospel.

Sunday, July 21:
11AM – Hot Duck Soup. Kazoos, slide whistles, banjos, guitars, ukes, an antique cornet, washtub bass, and the Cacophonium! Hot Duck Soup plays old tunes like you’ve never heard ‘em played.
1 PM – Buncombe Turnpike. Featuring songwriter, playwright and longtime bandleader Tom Godleski, Buncombe Turnpike boasts original songs and the banjo picking of teenage sensation Seth Rhinehart.
3 PM – Whitetop Mountaineers. Martha Spencer and Jackson Cunningham perform the beautiful and unique sounds of traditional Southwest Virginia oldtime music.

Find NC Crafts at This Weekend's Sprude Pine BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival

July 19 - 20    Spruce Pine BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival   The event features a sanctioned professional BBQ competition, a wings contest, public tastings, live bluegrass music, a cornhole tournament, championship clogging teams, craft vendors, BBQ equipment and supplies vendors, local food vendors, the Spruce Pine Skedaddle 5K and Fun Run, a kids play-area.

Mt Mitchell Crafts Fair

August 2-3 in downtown Burnsville NC -  Artists fill Town Square for the annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair. Burnsville's town square becomes a haven for arts and crafts during the 57th annual Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair.

This year's fair includes more than 150 juried crafters displaying nearly every kind of handmade craft imaginable. Thousands of people attend the Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair each year, searching for those special, one-of-a-kind items created by artisans from across the Blue Ridge.

Shoppers browse a wide selection of items, including handmade quilts, various types of pottery, jewelry from local gemstones, rustic furniture, blacksmith creations, traditional mountain instruments, hand-turned wooden bowls, jams and jellies, and stained glass art.

Many of the artisans will be demonstrating their crafts throughout both days.

In addition to the variety of exhibitors, the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair features live music and entertainment on the bandstand. Scheduled acts include: Road Tripp; Doc Hill Bluegrass Band; Dance Express Cloggers and Dancers; Rob and Hannah Levin; Eva Kroon Pike; Ron and Minnie Powell and the Lucky Streak Band; Roan Mountain Moonshiners, Hot Duck Soup; Ronnie Robertson and the Can't Hardly Play Boys; and Roberta Whiteside.

There is also a food court serving such Southern delights as pork barbecue and homemade ice cream.
 
Burnsville NC,  located in Yancey County,  is home of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi at an elevation of 6,684 feet. Burnsville is about 20 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 35 miles northeast of Asheville.

Crossnore Centennial Family Fair and Homecoming

July 20    2013 Crossnore Centennial Events:    Centennial Family Fair and Homecoming. Held at the Crossore School Campus . One of several area events held form May through October celebrating 100 years of bringing mountains of hope to children in need.

Wilkesboro Open Air Market arts and crafts

July 19    Wilkesboro Open Air Market    Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market events series returns in 2013 starting in April and continuing 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

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands this week

July 18 - 21    Semi-annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands   Over 200 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment bring Asheville's Civic (Cellular) 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.

17th Annual Chalk It Up in Hendersonville NC Today

July 13   17th Annual 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. 

River Arts District Second Saturday in Asheville this Weekend

July 13   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

River Arts District   The District is open year around - meet 150+ artists in their studios, visit craft galleries and shops and stop to re-energize at one of the cafes or restaurants.. Schedules are available online. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for two days of festivities known as the STUDIO STROLL.

On SECOND SATURDAYS artists welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River. Click HERE for a map of the River Arts District and how to get to there.

New Crafts Course Catalog Now Available on John C Campbell Folk SchoolCampus

The John C Campbell Folk School July 2013 - June 2014 Course Catalog has arrived. Copies may be picked up at the Keith House, and the colorful catalogs will reach subscrubers' mailboxes soon. The catalog's front and back covers display a whimsical peacock, and Page 2 features a very special story about the relationship between the two birds.

New for 2014, the January Advanced Weeks will be gone, and classes will be offered for multiple skill levels throughout January and 2014. All classes are now open for registration. So head for the Folk School grab a catalog or browse all the wonderful classes on the website.

NC Arts and Crafts at the Carolina Mountain Ribfest

July 12 - 14    Carolina Mountain Ribfest   World Class professional barbecue rib vendors from across the country, plus live entertainment, amusement rides, arts and crafts and more. Enjoy mouth watering, award winning BBQ Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork and Chicken, with all the traditional side dishes.

NC Arts and Crafts at the Wilkesboro Open Air Market

July 12   Wilkesboro Open Air Market   Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market events series returns in 2013 starting in April and continuing 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 The Open Air Market will also 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

Gallery Crawl this Weekend in West Jefferson

July 12    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.

Learn more about West Jefferson lodging, attractions and arts and crafts HERE.

 

The Big Crafty Today at The Asheville Art Museum

July 7   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. Stop by the Family Art pARTy from 1 PM to 4 PM offering Hands-on art activities for all ages.

Murphy Art Walk in Downtwon Galleries

July 6    Murphy Art Walk   - First Fridays from May through November, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Stroll through historic downtown Murphy for an exquisite visual, culinary, and performing arts experience with more than 20 businesses participating. Enjoy Art Galleries, Music, Fine Dining, Live Demonstrations and Performances.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk Tonight

July 5    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.

Support the Elkland Arts Center at the 4th of July Liberty Parade

July 4   Elkland Art Center's Liberty Parade   The Elkland Art Center hosts an annual arts parade called The Liberty Parade. Participants become the parade by wearing costumes and carrying large puppets that represent the local environment, environmental concerns and current creative impulses. Each year community members add a segment or theme in workshops with local artists, environmental advocates, environmental specialists and anyone else who wants to come.

The events held in Todd NC. 

Arts and Crafts Sale at Lake Lure's Boardwalk for the 4th of July

July 4   4th of July Celebration at Lake Lure   Enjoy a day and evening of family fun and activities from 8 AM until 10 PM. The Boardwalk Arts and Crafts Sale includes the works of local artists and crafters displaying along the Lake Lure boardwalk near the members' marina.

There will also be a Kids Zone at the Beach, Fire truck rides and temporary tattoos, Bingo at the Pavilion and a golf cart parade. The Beach Cookout, Tiki Bar at the Cabana and Ice Cream at the Cabana all open at 11 AM. Evening Dinning includes Pasta Dinner on the Terrace and a Prime Rib Buffet at Lakeview Restaurant. Take a fireworks cruise or stay on land and watch the Color Guard and Fireworks display beginning at 9:20 PM. The remarkable display over Lake Lure is considered one of the most spectacular anywhere in the mountains.

Arts and Crafts Show at Brevard 4th of July Festival

July 4    4th of July Festival in Downtown Brevard   Activities include: 5K/10K Firecracker Run, Fine Arts and Craft Showcase, All Star Pet Show, Declaration of Independence Reading, Memorial Flag Raising, Classic Automobile Show, Old Time Fair, day-long music, Kids’ Bike Parade, Hot Dog Eating Contest, inflatables, face painting, children’s activities and end the day with the wonderful July 4th Fireworks.

Find NC arts and Crafts at Murhy's Hometown 4th of July Celebration

July 4   4th of July Hometown Celebration   Celebrate our nation’s birthday with a good old-fashioned hometown celebration! Great food, music, crafters, kids’ games and more events than you can shake a stick at. It all starts at 10 am and ends with a spectacular fireworks display at dark. The event is held in the Konehete Park in downtown Murphy NC.

Learn more about Murphy events and attractions on the Murphy NC Visitor Guide.