Annual Hard Candy Christmas Arts and Crafts Show this Weekend at Western Carolina University

November 29 - December 30   Hard Candy Christmas Arts and Crafts Show   Mountain Artisans presents the 25th Hard Candy Christmas, Arts and Crafts Show. This mountain Christmas Tradition features original arts and crafts at a great price. The Show is held at the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee (near Sylva).  Parking is FREE.

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

West Jefferson Hosts Tree Fest and Christmas Miniatures Art Exhibit

November 25 - December 27   Tree Fest and Christmas Miniatures Art Exhibit    Beautifully decorated trees with handcrafted ornaments, holiday crafts, gift items and miniature paintings and photography. The gallery shop is also full of handmade ornaments available for purchase. 

Learn more about West Jefferson and Jefferson NC HERE.  

 

Blue Ridge Artisans Show and Sale Begins this Week

November 26 - December 24     Blue Ridge Artisans Show and Sale  features crafts from local artisans, including woodwork, paintings, photography and various Christmas ornaments. The Show is held at the McDowell Arts Council Association Gallery, 50 S Main Street in Historic Downtown Marion NC. 

The McDowell County Arts Council was founded in 1976 and today continues to support local arts through encouraging area artists,  providing gallery space, a retail shop, teaching opportunities and theater space for the performing arts. More than 70 artisans are currently participating members in exhibits, the gift shop and special events.

Thanksgiving Weekend Events at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

November 29 - Forget Black Friday at the mall. Make your post-Thanksgiving shopping a COLORFUL day at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum gift shop featuring art by local artists in partnership with The Art Cellar of Banner Elk, new exhibit merchandise from the latest exhibit - The Painted Song: Art of Wiili Armstrong - and unique books.  They will also be debuting NEW CHILDREN'S GIFTS including a variety of creative crafts, books, puzzles and toys.  You'll be able to find something for everyone on your list in one stop. The store will be open regular hours, 10 AM - 5 PM.

November 30, 3-4:30 PM - BRAHM Holiday Open House.  Following the Blowing Rock Christmas parade this free, family-friendly event features:

• Children’s chorus concert: Green Valley/Valle Crucis and Caroler and Cherub Choirs of Boone United Methodist Church
• Holiday crafts for kids
• Refreshments
• Angel Tree benefitting the Grandfather Home for Children
• Admission to Museum exhibits

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is located at 159 Chestnut Street (corner of Chestnut and Main) in
Blowing Rock NC 

Glass Blowing Demonstration at The Grove Arcade

November 22 - 23 from 11 AM - 4 PM at Mountain Made Art Gallery in The Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue in downtown Asheville NC   Glassblowing Demonstration with Jason Probstein.  Glass is considered one of the most common yet mystifying substances used in both the ancient and modern art worlds. It remains one of mankind’s most fragile, delicate and yet most durable art mediums.

If you have ever wondered just how professional glass artists create all their art forms then you must see the Live Artist Demonstration by Jason Prostein at the Mountain Made Gallery inside the Historic Grove Arcade.

Random Arts November Events

November 19 - last Zen Doodle "drop in" of the year. Zen Doodle from 10 AM until noon on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and everyone is welcome. NO pre-registration and NO FEE. Just show up and enjoy 2 hours of zen tangling in a stress-free environment.

November 22 -  Learn the "ever so popular" Gouache Resist technique for your holiday cards. From 10-2 you will delve into the 7 step process of this unique form of art. Pre-registration is necessary and the space is limited. $20.

November 23  - "Random Play Days".  It's a NO stress environment where others join in to work on their own projects on their own time. Holiday card rush? Finish them here. Need a large table to lay out a project? Do it here. Random Arts is ready, willing and eager to have you join them for a day of creative play. No pre-registration necessary.

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

Penland School of Crafts Announces Spring Workshops

Penland School of Crafts Spring 8-Week Workshops:

METALS

Multiples: Fabrication Through Repetition with Sarah Loertscher 

(Above is a repeated image of Sarah Loertscher's Structure Neckpiece #13)

CLAY

Form Focus with David Eichelberger

 

HOT GLASS

Glass Smorgasbord with Amy Rueffert

IRON

Contemporary Thermodynamic Design with Mike Rossi

LETTERPRESS

Moving Pictures: Animated Letterpress with Rory Sparks

TEXTILES

Personal Cartography with Robin Johnston

WOOD

Make Do with What You Have, Take What You Can Get 

with Tom Shields

Workshops run March 9-May 2, 2014.

Read complete descriptions for each workshop here.

  

Spring Work-Study Scholarship Deadline: November 29

Please note: scholarship applications are due at Penland on this date. Overnight services often fail to make it to Penland overnight; please plan accordingly.
 

Christmas Ornament Festival in Burnsville Town Center

November 23    Christmas Ornament Festival in Town Center   An annual Christmas Ornament Festival featuring one of a kind gift items handmade by local crafters and artisans. Admission is free.

The Burnsville NC area is home to hundreds of North Carolina's favorite arts and crafters. This is your opportunity to make your holiday gift giving really special with a handcrafted piece from, the mountains.

Asheville Seed Company Features Local Artist Peter Loewer

Renowned Botanical Illustrator Peter Loewer collaborated with Sow True Seed for their 2014 Catalog Cover.  Sow True Seed, based in Asheville NC, offers exclusively open-pollinated, non-hybrid, untreated seed that remains true-to-type when saved and replanted. For their annual catalog Sow True Seed collaborates with a local artist and this year's cover art is based on the incredible pen and ink illustrations of Peter Loewer.

Peter is a well-known local writer and botanical artist. His book, The Wild Gardener, was named one of "the best 75 garden books of the 20th Century" by the American Horticultural Society. He has an Asheville-based garden call-in radio show, he's a contributing editor for Carolina Gardener and also a popular public speaker.  Peter also teaches illustration at AB Tech, the NC Arboretum and Montreat Elderhostel.

"This isn't just a list of seeds – it's a growing guide and gardening inspiration rolled into one!" says Carol Koury, Sow True Seed's Founder. "At events people always ask, 'Are these free?', and are surprised when we say YES!"

The 2014 Sow True Seed catalog is at the printers and the first run will be ready for pick-up by mid-December. Get yours, hot off the press, by signing up at www.sowtrueseed.com.

This is the second year that Sow True Seed has collaborated with a local artist to produce their catalog cover. In 2013 Jenny Greer, voted 2012 'Best of WNC' in graphic design, created a beautiful illustration for Sow True Seed's annual catalog cover art. The art went on to inspire Sow True Seed's t-shirt design and has attracted admiration in Asheville and across America.

Blue To Black Art Weekend - Gallery and Studio Strolls

November 15 - 17   Blue To Black Art Weekend   A self-guided tour of artist's studios from the Blue Ridge Parkway EAST to Black Mountain and Old Fort including an Art Stroll in downtown Black Mountain. This bi-annual celebration of art takes place in May and November.

The event kicks off with AnTHM Gallery at the Monte Vista Hotel featuring a reception for participating artists. The evening will also include an art show from the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League entitled "Fabulous Fakes". Exhibiting artists interpret famous works of art and will be on display through the New Year. Enjoy “Artini” drink specials, appetizers and live music. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday:
Studio Tours 10 AM - 6 PM    On Saturday BLUE TO BLACK Art Weekend continues when you visit Studio Artists (and visiting artists) as they showcase their work. This is a unique opportunity to visit, meet and obtain the knowledge and education of their particular media.

Art Stroll in Downtown Black Mountain  11 AM – 7 PM   Have lunch at any of Black Mountain's great downtown restaurants, then continue with a visit  to participating venues and galleries.

Sunday: 
Studio Tours 10 AM - 6 PM  On Sunday  BLUE TO BLACK Art Weekend continues when you visit  Studio Artists (and visiting artists) and make your way to the varied Art Collectives—from East Asheville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and Old Fort—as they showcase their work on into the weekend. From clay, glass, wood, fiber, paint, metal, and photography, there’s something for everyone on the Artist Studio Tour.

Art Stroll in Downtown Black Mountain  11 AM – 5 PM   The weekend continues on Sunday with more Studio Artist Tours, or visit those downtown shops you missed. Maybe purchase a Black Mountain T-shirt, or one of those hand crafted artisan mugs, t-pots or plates. Maybe even a painting or a memento of your visit.

Weekend Artist Receptions:
Held at a variety of participating Black Mountain Galleries and Venues. After your day of art exploration it's time to meet the artists and Gallery Owners for a refreshing glass of wine and possibly some hors d'oeuvres at those participating venues and galleries. To end the evening, check out the local music venues for the night such as White Horse Black Mountain, Trailhead Restaurant, the Monte Vista Hotel and Pisgah Brewing Company.

Get links for local visitor information on the Black Mountain NC Guide.

Historic Carson House Holiday Crafts

November 15  Historic Carson House Luncheon and Holiday Bazaar  Held at St. John’s Episcopal Church  Parish House from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM. St. John's Parrish House is located at 289 S. Main Street in downtown Marion. Join members of the Carson House Partners to purchase holiday crafts, baked goods and peruse a white elephant sale. Enjoy a soup and salad lunch from 11:00 AM. - 2 PM. All of the proceeds from this bazaar go to benefit the Historic Carson House.

Learn more about Marion NC HERE.

River Arts District Studio Stroll Schedule

November 9 - 10     Schedule of Artist demos, featured activities and artists for River Arts District Studio Stroll:

Cara Steinbuchel will give a short presentation:
"Care of Hard Working Hands in Winter": 11 & 2 Sat

Jenny Buckner will demonstrate knife palette painting: 10-3 Sun

Jeff Pittman
Oil Painting: 10-6 Sat & Sun

352 Depot Street

Desert Moon Designs/Sutherland Handweaving Studio
Karen Donde
Hands-on floor-loom weaving demonstrations for kids and adults:
10-2 Sat; 2-6 Sun

372 Depot, Unit 20

Desert Moon Designs Studios & Gallery
Joan BernerHand Felting: 11–3 Sat

372 Depot, Unit 20

David Lookingbill
Jewelry Making: 12-3 Sat

Planet Art
Brandy Clements
Chair Caning: 12-4 Sat- Sun

375 Depot Studios & Gallery

Cotton Mill Studios
Eileen Black
Wheel Throwing : 10-6 Sat & Sun

Akira Satake/gallery mugen
Ceramics, Live Music: 10-6 Sat & Sun

The Hatchery
Julia Fosson
Encaustic: 11-5 Sat & Sun

Jonas Gerard Fine Art
Jonas Gerard
Live Painting Performance: 2-3:30 Sat & Sun

Odyssey ClayWorks
Throwing, Handbuilding, Paint Your Own Raku, Kids Activities:
12-4 Sat & Sun

Pink Dog CreativeAndrea Kulish, Studio A
Pysanky Egg making: 10-6 Sat & Sun

Judy Levine
Weaving and Felting: 10-6 Sat & Sun

Riverside Studios:

Artists at Riverside Studios
Ongoing demonstratios in Painting, Sculpture, Fiber and Mosaic:
10-6 Sat & Sun

Todd Frahm
Outdoor Stone Carving: 10-4 Sat & Sun

Julie Miles
artist demos throughout the day: 10-6 Sat & Sun

Wendy H. Outland
Free Drawing for Top 10 Art Biz Tips!: 5pm Sat & Sun

Riverview Station
MH Libman
Woodturning Demonstration: 11-2 Sat & Sun

The Village Potters
Wheel Throwing, Handbuilding and Sculpture:
10-2 Sat & Sun

Warehouse Studios
Shelley Schenker (#7)
Hands-on Mosaics for All Ages: 11-5 Sat & Sun

The Wedge, Whitespace, second floor
Cheryl Keefer
Oil Painting: Saturday afternoon

Stephen L Lange (Studio 2B1)
Weaving Holographic Art from Recycled Glass, Metal and Vinyl:
10-6 Sat & Sun

Joyce Thornburg & Vicky Pinney (Studio 2B2)
Painting, Working w/ Cold Wax: 10-6 Sat & Sun

Cheyenne Trunnell (Barbara Perez Gallery & Studio)
Painting: 10-6 Sat & Sun

 

Get a printable version HERE.

Market on Oak Offers Christmas Crafts and Holiday Gifts

Tj

The Market on Oak is located at
262 Oak Avenue in historic Spruce Pine NC

Cloth Fiber Workshop Offers two more Workshops for 2013

November 23 - Contemporary Rug Hooking with Yarn with Betsy Archer. Rug hooking! Learn to create contemporary designs with yarn on linen. First you'll prepare the linen for hooking and then transfer a pattern onto the fabric. Then you'll learn to color plan your project and use rug-hooking tools. Everyone will use the same pattern but you'll be able to change the design to make it unique. Level of Expertise: beginner/intermediate. Fee: $85 + materials.

December 7 - Shibori, Silk, and Sericin with Amy Putansu. In this one day workshop you'll explore a variety of traditional shibori techniques on silk organza. First you'll create resists with shibori then place the fabric into a silk-scour bath. The resisted areas will retain the crispness of organza while the areas left exposed will dissolve into a very fine sheet of silk. Next you'll over-dye the cloth with fiber reactive dyes resulting in a surface design pattern with lovely textural and visual effects.This process can also be applied to hand woven silk with sericin—examples of this will be discussed for those interested in weaving their own fabric. Level of Expertise: all levels. Fee: $85 + materials.

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

Foothills Holiday Arts and Craft Show in Marion NC

November 9 - 10    Foothills Holiday Arts and Craft Show    The area’s best talent will be showcased for two days  of art and crafts including oil, pastel and watercolor paintings, drawings, wood and metal works, textile arts, jewelry and much more. Commercial vendors are not allowed at this event.

You’ll find regional artists with unique points of view in their work. The event will be set up inside and outside the Corpening YMCA and live music will add to the festive atmosphere.

Get links for more information about Marion NC HERE. 

River Arts District Studio Stroll this Weekend in Asheville

November 9 - 10   River Arts District Studio Stroll   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.
 
An Information Booth will be located at the 5-points intersection of Depot St. across from the Clingman Café. Free trolleys run approximately every 15 min, bringing visitors to gallery shows, kid's activities, and art demonstrations, such as glass blowing, wheel throwing, wood turning, and more. 


The River Arts District is open year around - meet 160+ artists in their studios, visit craft galleries and shops and stop to re-energize at one of the cafes or restaurants. Daily schedules are available online. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for these 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.

Get links for more information about Ashevile and Asheville galleries on the Asheville NC Guide.