NC Art Walks and Craft Festivals this Weekend

Date:      July 27 - August 3, 2014
NC City:  SPRUCE PINE
Event:    The 30th Annual Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem Show   This popular event features 60 dealers from all over the world with gem stones, mineral specimens, fossils, jewelry, beads and lots more. If it is made of stone, you should be able to find it here. There will be a BBQ (great food!) on Saturday, a fundraiser for the  the Parkway Fire and Rescue and new equipment. Come help out the fire department. Open 10 AM to 6 PM daily at 12966 South Hwy 226 in Spruce Pine, NC. Admission and parking are FREE. 

Date:        July 31 - August 3, 2014
NC City:  BLOWING ROCKEvent:     8th 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.  Preview Party 7/31 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM, $40 per person (including wine and hors d'oeurves). Tickets are $10 and good for the entire show.  

Date:        August 1, 2014
NC City:  WILKESBORO
Event:     Wilkesboro Open Air Market   Historic Downtown Wilkesboro's popular Open Air Market events series continues starting in April and concluding in 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

Date:        August 1, 2014
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     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.

Date:        August 1. 2014
NC City:  WAYNESVILLE
Event:     Art After Dark   Gallery Stroll  Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM.  The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music. Festive Art After Dark flags denote participating galleries, such as Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86, Earthworks, Cedar Hill Studio, Jeweler’s Workbench, Twigs and Leaves Gallery, TPennington Art Gallery, Main Street Artist’s Co-op, Grace Cathey Sculpture Garden and Gallery, and the Village Framer 

Date:        August 1 - 2, 2014
NC City:  BURNSVILLE
Event:     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.

Date:        August 1 - 3
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     Annual Asheville Antiques Show and Sale  Reputable dealers from several states will offer for sale a wide variety of antiques that will appeal to everyone from the beginning collector to the well seasoned investor. The dealers were selected for this show based on their knowledge, professionalism and overall integrity. Find antique furniture in styles ranging from American country to English formal, hand painted porcelains, art glass, cut glass and pottery. Idecker Books will have an amazing display of very fine and rare old books. There will be antique prints as well as beautiful old oil paintings and a huge display of oriental rugs. Exquisite antique jewelry, estate jewelry and designer costume jewelry will be offered for sale along with silver holloware and flatware. Held at the US Cellular (Civic) Center in downtown Asheville. 

Date:       August 2, 2014
NC City:  OLD FORT 
Event:     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. 

Date:        August 2, 2014NC City:  BEECH MOUNTAINEvent:     32st Annual Crafts on the Green   Approximately 85 vendors from all over the mountains will have their crafts and art work available for purchase. This annual event is located at a cool 5056 foot elevation. Food venders will also be available. 

Date:         August 2 - 3, 2014
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     Annual Village Art and Craft Fair   Held on the grounds of All Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village this year's Fair, the 41st,  will include 118 exhibitors.  Enjoy high quality art and crafts including ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry and more. Hours are Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM and Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM. 

        

18th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival includes Mountain Crafts

September 15     18th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival    Craft and food vendors line Main Street in celebration of mountain heritage in craft and music. This year's entertainment features Wayne Henderson and Helen White.

With demonstrations of the skills of local ancestors and music that mixes local heritage with modern influences, there is something for everyone. Dancers will be kicking up their heels and  the  Possum Queen will be crowned.

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.

Mother's Day Event in the River Arts District

May 12    Oh Mother!  at the Odyssey Center in Asheville's River Arts District.   A celebration of Mother's Day at the Center for Ceramic Arts. 10 AM - 6 PM all day events include Raffle to win a piece of art by Michael Parry; Delicious Refreshments;  Over 40 featured Artists;  Gifts for Mom complete with flowers and wrapping. Live music by Maggie and the Romantics.

February 12th-18th Arts & Crafts Heritage Week in Asheville

Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy recently proclaimed the week of February 12-18 Arts & Crafts Heritage Week, citing the role the American Arts & Crafts movement has played in the "artistic, architectural,aesthetic and economic development of the City of Asheville".  The week will include discussions, presentations, and exhibits:

Daily Pack Library Exhibit: “Arts & Crafts of Western North Carolina”

February 13. 5:30-7:00 PM:   Slide Presentation: “From Mountain Crafts to  Arts & Crafts” by Bruce E. Johnson; Renaissance Hotel. Free.

February 14, 6:00-7:00 PM:   Panel Discussion: “Problems and Solutions in Restoring Older Homes” by the Asheville Preservation Society; Masonic Temple. Historic building  will be conducted from 5:00-6:00 PM. Free.

February 15, Noon-1:15 PM:  Luncheon Presentation: “Green and Greener: The New Arts & Crafts Bungalow” by the Asheville chapter of the American Institute of Architects; Princess  Anne Hotel,  Free, Optional lunch is available for $10 - reservations are required, 404-376-7452.

February 16, 6:00-9:00 PM :  Benefit Dinner and Presentation: “The Pottery Tradition of  Western North Carolina” by author Rodney Leftwich; sponsored by the Stickley Museum and  hosted by Biltmore Industries. Limited seating and reservations required.

February 17, 1:00-6:00 PM:  The 25th National Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference  Antiques & Craftsfirms Shows. Three-day admission $10.

February 18, 1:00-4:00 PM:   Preservation Society House Tours. $35 - reservations 828-254-2343
Noon-6:00 PM: Grove Park Inn Conference Shows. Three-day admission $10
5:00-7:00 PM: Asheville Art Museum Reception, “Artistic Expression of Galle and Tiffany.”  $25 -reservations 828-253-3227.

February 19, 12:30-3:30 PM:  Preservation Society House Tours. $35 - 828-254-2343.
11:00-4:00 PM:  Grove Park Inn Conference Shows.  Admission $10.