Carolina Craft Day at Asheville's NC Arboretum

September 28   Carolina Craft Day at the NC Arboretum A day to celebrate Southern Appalachian traditions as they come alive at The North Carolina Arboretum. The event, now in its seventh year, features craft demonstrations and juried art and craft vendors and plant sales at the Arboretum's Education Center.

Western North Carolina is known for its botanical beauty and diversity, as well as for the many wonderful handmade crafts and art that are a part of the mountain way of life. 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.

Open Studio Tour Today in Hendersonville

September 22, 10 AM - 5 PM - This free self-guided art studio tour features fine art and craft studios throughout Henderson County. Artist’s studios will be open for visits with plenty of new artwork to view and purchase; several studios and galleries will have guest artists as well.

Original works in paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, metal arts, woodworking, and glass will be offered by 40 participating artists. The Art League of Henderson County is the Tour sponsor.

Find links for visitor information o the Hendersonville NC Guide. 

 

Historical Mural in Dillsboro NC Unveiled

October 5, 10 AM - The town of Dillsboro NC proudly unveils its new historical mural by local artist Doreyl Ammons Cain at the Annual Colorfest: Art and Taste of Appalachia.  The mural, named "On Hallowed Ground", will be placed between the Jarrett House and the Christmas Shop on Haywood Street in downtown Dillsboro NC.

 

The Mural story is based on the unusual founding of Dillsboro NC. With little written history,  research was a challenge for mural artist Doreyl Ammons Cain. Beginning in December 2012 with the help of George Frizzell, Head of Special Collections at the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University; Tyler B. Howe, Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Historic Preservation Specialist and Amy Ammons Garza, Co-Founder of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, the story was pieced together. Like most NC mountain towns, the combination of determined pioneer spirit, the railroad and the native peoples - in this case the Eastern Band of the Cherokee - all made significant contributions to what is now Dillsboro NC.

The unveiling of "On Hallowed Ground" will open ColorFest, Art & Taste of Appalachia. Eastern Band of Cherokee Principle Chief Michel Hicks will be on hand to officially unveil the mural.  Storyteller Freeman Owl will share stories about Chief Nimrod Jarrett Smith and Doreyl Ammons Cain will describe the process of her mural creation. " This mural, On Hallowed Ground,  truly reflects the spirit of Appalachia as one of creativity and courage!" says artist Cain.

For more details about the mural visit the artist's Blog at:  http://colorfestartblog.com/blog1.php

11th Annual Ashe County Quilt Fair in West Jefferson NC

September 20 - 21  11th Annual Ashe County Quilt Fair  This year's Fair theme is " Quilts in the Attic". Events include the Guild Shoppe and Guild Boutique with quilts for sale, a fund-raiser quilt, vender village, sewing machines through the ages and small quilt silent auction. The Fair is held in Jefferson Station, 20 E Ashe Street in West Jefferson NC.

"A Musical Feast" at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

On Sunday, September 22, BRAHM  (Blowing Rock Art and History Museum) will host "A Musical Feast," an inaugural concert of chamber music performed by nine High Country musicians.

The concert, organized by flutist Akal Dev Sharrone, will feature works by Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, and others performed on harpsichord, flute, French horn, violoncello, violin, viola, and soprano.

The concert begins at 3 PM and tickets are $20. A wine and cheese reception will follow. Please contact Leila Weinstein at 828-295-9099 ext. 3006 for more information or to reserve your seat. 

Get links for local lodging and visitor information on the Blowing Rock NC Guide. 

Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Welcomes Artist Willliam Mangum

NC artist Bill Magnum

September 19 at 4:30  PM - Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) has invited North Carolina artist William Mangum, one of the most popular and respected watercolorists in the region, to be September's Third Thursday speaker
.
Bill Magnum has produced more than 3,000 original paintings from his over thirty years of travels throughout North Carolina and abroad. Mangum's presentation "Celebrating Life through Art" is free to BRAHM members and $5 for non-members. 

Refreshments will follow the welcoming.

Celebration of the Arts this Weekend in Spindale

September 19 - 22   Celebration of the Arts   The Show is held at the at the Foundation Conference & Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College. The show is sponsored by the Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild (RCVAG) and supported in part by the NC Arts Council. 2D and 3D artwork in various media including paintings, photography, clay, wood, textiles, glass, metal, and jewelry for recognition, ribbons, and cash awards. In addition to the show, an adjoining gift shop will be selling handcrafted artwork at affordable prices. 

A Gala Fundraiser Dinner will be held Saturday night, September 22, followed by the Awards Ceremony. Proceeds from the Gala tickets, silent auction, and sale of artwork will support RCVAG’s non-profit mission to foster the visual arts and fine crafts in their surrounding community.

Find links for additional weekend arts and crafts events in the mountains on the NC events Calendar. 

 

Weaverville Hosts Art in Autumn

September 21   Art in Autumn   This is the seventh annual Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival. Over 100 juried artists and craftspeople, as well as an exciting array of food and live music. The festival brings a lively celebration of community and fine art to the Main Street of the 'Mayberry-esque' town of Weaverville.

Art Business Bootcamp: Shape up your business

October 1-2   HandMade in America is excited to welcome the Arts Business Institute for an intensive two-day workshop. Jam-packed with presentations and topic lectures from nationally-renowned instructors and experts, valuable resources and educational materials, a wide array of regional small business partners, and individualized artist critiques, these two days are just what you need to take your arts business to the next level.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Fees:

Limited number of half-scholarships will be available, based upon short essay/statement of need. Please email this statement to Helene Herbert, Development Manager, at hherbert@handmadeinamerica.org.

• $175 for Members
• $225 for Non-Members
• $25 additional for one-on-one artist critiques (30 spaces available) – Want a personalized critique and consultation? A very limited number of appointments are available to meet with an ABI faculty member for your own personal session. First come, first served.

Schedule:
October 1, 2013
9:00am Registration, coffee, and light breakfast
9:30 – 10:30am Wholesale 101 (Speaker: Wendy Rosen)
Break
10:45am – 12:00pm Pricing for Profit (Speaker: Megan Auman)
12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch Break (lunch provided)
1:00 – 2:00pm Who is Your Customer? (Speaker: Wendy Rosen)
Break
2:15 – 3:15pm Creative Marketing for Artists (Speaker: Carolyn Edlund)
3:15 – 5:00pm Artist Critiques/Consultations and Curbside Consulting/Resource Rooms

October 2, 2013
9:00am Coffee and light breakfast
9:30 – 10:30am Branding Yourself and Your Work (Speaker: Megan Auman)
Break
10:45am – 12:00pm Selling Strategies for Artists (Speaker: Carolyn Edlund)
12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch Break (lunch provided)
1:00 – 2:00pm Booth Design (Speaker: Wendy Rosen)
Break
2:15 – 3:15pm Panel Discussion with local gallery owners and artists about success in the handmade marketplace. They will share their experience, insights, and advice for emerging artists.
3:15 – 5:00pm Artist Critiques/Consultations and Curbside Consulting/Resource Rooms

Instructors:
WENDY ROSEN, President of The Rosen Group, has been a major force in developing American crafts into an industry. Producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft, publisher of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines, and author of Crafting as a Business, Wendy has spent three decades teaching and mentoring thousands of artists how to develop their work, attract galleries, and market their work to top galleries and luxury retailers across the US and Canada.

CAROLYN EDLUND, Executive Director, spent twenty years running her own production studio, designing, and making handmade ceramic jewelry. She has participated in over 200 retail fairs and trade shows and sold her line into more than 1,000 store, catalog, and online accounts. As founder of the ArtsyShark blog, Carolyn shares her experience in art marketing, sales, networking, selling to major retailers, and growing online sales to a global audience. She frequently does personalized consulting for artists.

MEGAN AUMAN is a designer, maker, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for great design and sustainable business. Her eponymous jewelry line is sold in stores across the US and online. In 2009, Megan founded Designing an MBA to help designers and makers develop their business skills.

NC Arts and Crafts this weekend at the Ooh La La Curiosity Market

September 14   Ooh La La Curiosity Market    An outdoor market in Asheville's downtown 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 Jefferson Gallery Crawl this Friday

September 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. Open House in more than 15 art galleries and studios.

NC Crafts at the Annual Macon County Fair

September 11-14    60th Annual Macon County Fair   An authentic agricultural fair featuring crafts, farm animals and festival foods. Held on the Macon County Fair Grounds in Franklin.

Creative cake bakers - Bring your favorite cake (with recipe) to register  on Saturday, between 10 - 11 AM at the Fair Pavilion.  Judging begins at 11 AM and the.Auction begins at 12 noon. Open to anyone in Macon County except bakery shops or professionals. Cakes and recipes will be auctioned immediately after judging. Proceeds will go to the Macon County Fair

Learn more about local lodging and attractions on the Franklin NC Visitor Guide. 

 

Penland offers Winter Residencies in Letterpress and Printmaking for Artists and Writers

Application deadline: September 15, 2013

Are you an artist or writer fascinated by the possibilities of ink on paper (in multiples, maybe)?  If so, you might enjoy spending a couple of weeks this coming January in Penland's letterpress or print studio working with support and guidance from an experienced printer.

Here are the details:

These residencies offer self-directed time to pursue a proposed project in the excellent Penland studios. Artists with any level of printing experience are eligible to apply. A lead printer in each studio will be available throughout the residency to offer technical and conceptual assistance as needed.

Through this program, Penland hopes to foster new connections and cross-pollination between writers, printmakers, letterpress printers, and all artists drawn to the versatility of print media. Past residents have created unique works and editions including (but not limited to) broadsides, prints, small publications, and artist books.

Penland is looking for artists who can working independently and are able to conceptualize a project that fits the time and equipment offered. Ten residents, including one writer, will be selected for each session - five residents for the letterpress studio and five for the printmaking studio. There are two sessions in the 2014 residency: Session 1, January 6-17 and Session 2, January 20-31.

The cost to each resident is $500. Penland will provide studio and housing; artists cover their travel expenses and supply their own materials and food. Meals are not provided, but housing includes access to a shared kitchen.

A new online registration process is offered. Click here for more information, bios for the lead printers, and details about the application process.

Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina near Spruce Pine. Penland operates year-round providing opportunity to study in one-, two-, and eight-week workshops in fifteen professional teaching studios. Penland programs also include artists’ residencies, an educational outreach program, archives, winter studio independent study, and the Penland Gallery and Visitors Center. 

Penland is located in Mitchell County, North Carolina, fifty-three miles northeast of Asheville and six miles from Spruce Pine, the nearest town. Penland Road can be reached from either US 19 E of NC 226.

ArtsMart today in Old Fort

September 7   ArtsMart  Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot. 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.

Art after Dark in Waynesville

Date: September 6  Art After Dark   Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM. The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music.

Get links for local visitor information on the Waynesville NC Guide. 
 

 

Scottish Heritage Week at John C Campbell Folk School

September 1-7  Scottish Heritage Week at John C Campbell Folk School   Early Scotch and Scotch-Irish settlers contributed greatly to American culture, and nowhere has their influence been more strongly felt than in the Appalachians.

Enjoy fascinating history and stories, and take part in lively blacksmithing, music, basketry, pottery, fiber, and wood classes. Come create savory jam and chutney, and partake of delicious pies and scones during a traditional high tea.