The 68th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands takes place at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, October 15-18, 2015.

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.

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.

Celebrate the Art of Craft

October 15 – 18 Demonstrations

Alan “Doc” Welty | Pottery + Raised Slip – Doc Welty of Marshall, NC will demonstrate the method raised-slip decorating on his wheel-thrown vessels and other ceramic objects. Since 1973, Welty has been working with clay in styles of Mayan, Minoan, Pennsylvania Dutch and more. Accepted into the Guild in 2014, Doc has participated in demonstrations at the Folk Art Center, and special events such as Clay Day.

David Crandall | Wooden Dovetail Boxes – David Crandall of Bristol, TN will demonstrate the art of hand dovetailed boxes. Starting with slabs of wood from various trees, Crandall will show how the box is designed to the cutting of the dovetails and pins. A Guild member since 2004, David has been active by working on the Education Program Committee, and participating in Wood Day and other events at the Folk Art Center.

Martha Owen | Spinning + Carding – Martha Owen of Murphy, NC will demonstrate her process of spinning, starting with certain fiber preparations to the finished result of hanks of yarn. With Martha will be an Angora rabbit, known for its long and soft wool, in which she will show the technique of carding. Since 1988 she has been a member of the Guild in both Fiber and Natural Materials media.

Please note that other demonstrations will include blacksmithing at the entrance of the US Cellular Center, as well as several in-booth demonstrations by exhibitors.

Music of the Mountains

October 17-18 Entertainment Schedule

Friday, October 16

• 11am – Carol Rifkin and Friends. Carol Rifkin and friends play original and traditional mountain music, their fine harmonies blending in an old timey style heavily influenced by the elders of the region, family, friends and diverse interests.
• 1pm – Cary Fridley & The Haywood County Ramblers. This pre-war electric blues group draws on raw rockabilly from the Delta and North Mississippi. Fridley and the Ramblers are traditionalists and continue the sound of Appalachia’s Souther, old-style rhythm.
• 3pm –Hot Duck Soup. Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a jolt to your funny bones; the Hot Duck Soup Novelty Vintage Jazz Band is about to assault your senses with wild and zany tunes from the teens, twenties, and thirties!

Saturday, October 17

• 11am – Southern Crescent Bluegrass. Asheville area musicians, led by Tommy Thompson, specializing in traditional bluegrass standards.
• 1pm – Split Rail. Split Rail provides a great continuity of sound that can only be achieved from years of playing together. Strong vocal harmony is their trademark.
• 3pm – Honey Holler. A North Carolina female quartet playing traditional old-time tunes with some serious banjo pickin’!

Sunday, October 18

• 11am –Ric Ledford & Reems Creek Incident. An Asheville, NC based bluegrass band that specializing in a wide variety of traditional, not-so-traditional and original bluegrass music.
• 1pm – Sherri Lynn & Friends. An acoustic blend of bluegrass, country, folk and rockabilly that will get your toes tapping!
• 3pm – Buncombe Turnpike. Buncombe Turnpike plays a variety of heartfelt tunes ranging from traditional and contemporary bluegrass to gospel and Buncombe Turnpike originals. With their crowd pleasing demeanor, seasoned musicianship, and powerful vocals, the band has made a name for themselves among traditional and contemporary listeners alike.

If You Go: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, October 15-18, 2015; 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.