River Arts District welcomes artist Desiree DeMars

Encaustic artist Desiree DeMars frcently opened Sassafras Studio in the Riverview Station studio at 191 Lyman St. with fellow artists Bet Kindley & Mary Alice Ramsey.

Desiree's mystical encaustic pieces bring nature to mind with rustic colors, representing canyons and red rocks and vibrant coral-reef creations, as if the viewer were scanning the ocean floor. Most of her pieces are abstract. DeMars enjoys hearing studio visitors’ interpretations of her work and inspiring their imaginations. During one recent visit, a fox, ancient Japan, a pulsating jellyfish and moving water were all spotted in various creations.

Visit Desiree DeMars at Sassafras Studio inside Riverview Station at 191 Lyman Street Tuesdays - Saturdays from 11-4, or by appointment at 312.437.4325. Connect online at http://www.desireedemars.com/.

Labor Day Sale at Quilter's Quarters

Sept 1-5 at  Quilter's Quarters, 510 Dellwood Road in Waynesville NC - Labor Day sale. Stop by and see what's new:

Fall Fabrics Arriving - New from Moda, "Grand Finale" panel plus jelly rolls and charms.

New Kit - Red Rooster' new Haunted Hallow II...fun 48" x 48" fall wallhanging or table topper. They also have the new panel.

Button & Blooms - another great collection from Red Rooster with lots of cute projects. This is a great panel for hanging and purses.

New Fabrics - "Tonga Treats", 30 new bolts of batiks including Creamsicle, Gelato, Pomegranate, Lollipop, Blueberry Pie and Taffy.

Halloween fabric is available and if you liked the Stick Santa and Snowman, check out the Stick Witch. 

Kona Bay fabrics - "Rainbow Garden" looks like batik but it is all cotton with bright colors on black background.

Ot's Time to LAAFF again!

September 4    Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival (LAAFF)   LAAFF is an experience for the whole family. Kids will love making art, dancing, getting their faces painted and activities throughout the day. Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville is shut down for the day and filled with the largest independent street fair in the southeast.


Kids are also in on the act showing off their breakdancing, parading, and making music. The big “kids” will enjoy the ever popular bicycle jousting, local brews, an eclectic culinary and artistic experience, as well as the new big people game, Big Wheels for Big Kids.

Arts 2 People has been presenting LAAFF for 10 years with the support of the Asheville Community. Arts 2 People offers classes to the general public on a sliding scale, and provides arts-in-education opportunities to underprivileged populations. The organization is committed to strengthening the reputation Asheville has as a haven for the arts, continuing in importance with future growth.

Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound Exhibit opens at North Carolina History Museum

Sept. 9, at the North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Stree tin Raleigh NC -   Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound

This traveling exhibit explores the history and evolution of the legendary hunting dog, the only dog breed known to have originated in North Carolina. This small exhibit is from Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center