The 67th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands takes place at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, October 16-19.
Nearly 200 juried artists of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be selling works of clay, metal, wood, jewelry, fiber, paper, natural materials, leather and mixed media. With styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, the Fairs showcase the rich talent, diversity and craft mastery of Guild members.
The Fairs began in 1948 as a way to provide a regional market for mountain craftspeople. Since that time, the Craft Fairs have set the standard for fine craft shows across the country. Nearly 20,000 visitors to the Fairs each year invest in the regional and local economies while supporting artists working in the Appalachian mountains, and by spending a summer or fall weekend in beautiful Asheville.
In addition to providing a retail market for juried members, the Guild hosts craft demonstrations during the Fairs. A strong part of the Guild’s mission is to educate the public about the history of crafts in this region, various craft techniques, and an appreciation for fine crafts. Visit www.craftguild.org for a complete list of scheduled craft demonstrations.
Beginning on Friday during each Craft Fair, mountain musicians perform live on the arena stage. Since the first fair in Gatlinburg in 1948, the music of the area has been woven into the fabric of the Craft Fair experience. From old time to bluegrass, this tradition is kept alive today. Visit www.craftguild.org for a complete list of performances.
The Southern Highland Craft Guild is a non-profit, educational organization established in 1930 with headquarters at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. The Guild region covers the mountain counties of nine southeastern states from Maryland to Alabama, representing over 900 craftspeople. The Craft Fairs are one of the ways in which the Guild fulfills its mission which is to bring together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation.
To learn more about Guild programs, visit www.craftguild.org.
October 16-19 Demonstrations
Collene Karcher of Bakersville, NC, will be demonstrating the nearly lost art of hand-carved letters in stone – one tap at a time, with hammer and chisel.
Pam Etheredge of Afton, TN, will demonstrate pine needle basket making. She has been a member of the SHCG since 2012 and is a frequent exhibitor at special event days at the Folk Art Center such as Fiber and Heritage Weekends.
Dede Styles of Swannanoa, NC will demonstrate spinning and the traditional craft of using natural plant dyes to color yarn outside the US Cellular Center. Dede has been a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild since 2000 and is a frequent demonstrator during Fiber and Heritage Weekends.
October 17-19 Entertainment Schedule
Friday, October 17
11 a.m. – Carol Rifkin and Friends, original and traditional mountain music.
1 p.m. – Cane Creek Bluegrass Band, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel.
3 p.m. – Hot Duck Soup, zany tunes from the teens, twenties, and thirties!
Saturday, October 18
11 a.m. – Southern Crescent Bluegrass, traditional bluegrass standards.
1 p.m. – Split Rail, strong vocal harmony is their trademark.
3 p.m. – Moore Brothers, Americana, Blues, Newgrass, Grass, Country, Jazz & Gospel Flavors.
Sunday, October 19
11 a.m. – Ric Ledford & Reems Creek Incident, wide variety of traditional, not-so-traditional and original bluegrass music.
1 p.m. – Mountain Friends, high energy American swing-grass.
3 p.m. – Buncombe Turnpike, traditional and contemporary bluegrass to gospel and originals.
If You Go: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, October 16-19; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: Adults $8, children under 12 free. Group discounts available. U.S. Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville. For more information call (828) 298-7928, or visit www.craftguild.org.