Art on the Greene Creates an Outdoor Gallery in Banner Elk NC

Art on the Greene transforms the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk NC School into an art gallery filled with works from local and regional artists, May 27-28, 2017.

The Memorial Day weekend show is the first of three Art on the Greene shows that take place throughout the summer in Banner Elk. The second show will be July Fourth weekend, July 1-2, and the final show will be Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-3.

The Memorial Day show includes approximately 40 artists from up and down the East Coast, as well as some from the Midwest. They represent a variety of media, such as metal, glass, ceramics, wood, watercolor, acrylics and oil. The July Fourth show is expected to be the largest with 60 artists attending.

“I hope attendees find our town to be a place they want to return and tell other people about,” says Kimberly Tufts, show director. “I also hope they leave with something tangible, that they find a new piece of artwork and build a relationship with an artist that enriches their life.”

Proceeds from artists’ booth rental fees go to renovation efforts at the Historic Banner Elk School. Funds from previous art shows have helped restore heat to the school gymnasium and freshen the paint, as well as contributed to the town’s payments on the property.

The 1939 school was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. The Town of Banner Elk owns the school, which is home to the Banner Elk Book Exchange, professional theater company Ensemble Stage and a lifestyle magazine.

“We have a rich heritage that makes us special, and I think people feel that when they’re here,” Tufts says. “Banner Elk is also a very friendly town in a beautiful location. We have wonderful restaurants and so many things to do outdoors, which make this place a destination.”

Art on the Greene has no admission fee. Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM both Saturday and Sunday. Food vendors will be on hand, complementing the offerings at local downtown restaurants.

For information, visit the website or call 828-387-0581.

Mountain Art and Crafts Festivals, Tours and Shows for the Memorial Day Weekend

You'll find lots of mountain arts and crafts and outdoor festivals this holiday weekend throughout Western North Carolina. Get links for Festival details and more Memorial Day Weekend events on the NC Events Calendar.

May 24
NC City: BREVARD
Event: 4th Friday Gallery Tour An evening of Art, Wine and Food in Downtown Brevard. Every 4th Friday of the month, from May through December. 5-9 PM.  Get a link to read more...

May 24-25
NC City: BRYSON CITY
Event: Swain County Heritage Festival This two day festival has it all. Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old time gospel music. Saturday entertainment is classic country and bluegrass, clogging and Indian hoop dancing. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, a log-sawing contest and fun for the whole family. The event takes place form 6 PM - 9 PM Friday and 10 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday at Riverfront Park on Mitchell Street,  Get a link to read more...

May 25 - 26
NC City: HENDERSONVILLE
Event: 20th Annual Garden Jubilee Festival The Garden Jubilee features more than 200 vendors selling thousands of plants, arts and crafts, garden talks and clinics, garden accessories, and food. This downtown festival covers 8 blocks of Main Street from Sixth Avenue-Caswell Street. Local and regional nurseries will be selling 1000s of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and hard-to-find plants on every block of the festival. The festival is always held during the Memorial Day weekend.   Get a link to read more...

May 25-27
NC City: LAKE LURE
Event: Lake Lure Artists Show Foothills artisans present their "Art at the Beach" Fine Arts and Crafts Show and Sale. The event begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM. Enjoy browsing and shopping through a wide selection of original paintings, drawings, photography, prints, fine crafts, jewelry, pottery and sculpture.   Get a link to read more...

May 25-27
NC City: BANNER ELK
Event: Banner Elk Herb Festival The annual Banner Elk Herb Festival takes place at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School. The Herb Festival offers a vast selection of herbs you' won't find elsewhere. There will be well over 5,000 herb plants for sale, a fantastic fragrant “sea of herbs. All the herb plants are organic and planted in biodegradable pots. About 60 vendors sell their products at the festival. In addition to herbs, arts, crafts and food items will be available. Attendees can purchase pottery, fine art, portrait photography, goat cheese and homemade herb bread to name just a few items. A “kid zone” includes a petting zoo, old-fashioned games, spin art, a putt-putt course and a dunking booth where festival goers can dunk a fireman. The festival raises money for the volunteer firefighters of Banner Elk. Attendees can purchase a Banner Elk Community Supporter Sticker for any amount, and all proceeds go to the firefighters. The festival will also feature live music.  Get a link to read more...

May 25 -26
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Kenilworth Art Studio Tour Twenty-two artists invite you into eleven neighborhood studios & galleries. Browse and/or purchase original artwork. Kenilworth Artists Association is a community of artists in one of Asheville's oldest neighborhoods, with a lovely mix of grand homes, modest bungalows and mature gardens. Over forty aspiring and professional artists live in the five square mile neighborhood just minutes from downtown. Each year, many of these artists open their doors to the public for a festive tour that attracts shoppers and art lovers alike. 10 AM - 5 PM both days.   Get a link to read more...

May 26-27
NC City: HIGHLANDS
Event: Village Square Craft Show Annual Memorial Day Weekend art and crafts show in downtown Highlands. The show features fine art and whimsical folk art, plus high-quality crafts such as fine wood work, metal work, quilts, birdhouses, and twig furniture. As usual, you will find one-of-a-kind baskets, pottery, and jewelry. The show has over 65 vendors.   Get a link to read more...

Fall Art and Crafts Festival and Events this weekend in the NC Mountains

Date: October 18-21
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands This 65th annual event includes over 200 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment. Both levels of the Civic Center are filled with artisans selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. The Fair showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and includes craft demonstrations and, beginning on Friday, local musicians performing traditional and bluegrass mountain music live on the arena stage.

Date: October 18-21
NC City: BLACK MOUNTAIN
Event: Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) Camp Rockmont hosts a weekend of art, music, and outdoor fun. The annual event offers music and art shows, Kids Village, healing workshops, and lots of food and local beer. Enjoy dancing (Contra, Salsa, Swing, Waltz), poetry & puppetry slams, folk art & craft exhibitions, outdoor adventure, and the LEAFlet Kid’s Village, a festival in and of itself, LEAF never ceases to offer new and exciting cultural connections. Tickets start at $25

Date: October 19
NC City: FLAT ROCK
Event: Fall Harvest of Quilts A Quilt Show featuring more than 150 quilts. There will be award-winning quilts, a raffle quilt, vendors, and a quilters shoppe. The events is held at the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Hall.


Date: October 19-20
NC City: FRANKLIN
Event: 20th Annual Smoky Mountain Fall Art and Craft Fest 100 of the most unique, skilled artisans in Western North Carolina. Enjoy great good and the opportunity to win100 free hand-crafted door prizes. There will also be alpacas and an animal rescue petting zoo. Also held on Oct 25-26.

October 19-20
NC City: ROBBINSVILLE
Event: Annual Harvest Festival Mountain traditions come alive at the annual Harvest Festival in beautiful Stecoah Valley at the Cultural Arts Center on the grounds of the historic Stecoah School. The former community school was built in 1926, and today is the home of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization dedicated to preserving Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Tickets for evening concert are on sale now. Admission-adults $15.00 Students k-12 $5.00 Performing this year will be the Dismembered Tennesseans.


Date: October 19-20
NC City: HENDERSONVILLE
Event: Henderson County Crafters Association Craft Show The Henderson County Crafters Association will host a juried arts & craft show at the Blue Ridge Mall. The show features a wide variety of crafts and art forms. Henderson County Crafters Association. Fri and Sat 10 AM-9 PM.

Date: October 20
NC City: WAYNESVILLE
Event: Apple Harvest Festival Savor the sights, sounds and food sensations of the 24th Annual Celebration of the Apple Harvest in Haywood County. Downtown Waynesville's Main Street is lined with Arts, Crafts and Food booths, complete with authentic mountain music and dance to delight you on a crisp fall day.
October 20
NC City: BRYSON CITY
Event: 22nd Annual Chili Cookoff The Bryson City Chamber Chili Cook Off is in its 22nd year and is a favorite of both locals and visitors alike. This festival environment includes craft booths, live music and family fun. From 11 AM - 3 PM sample chili from some of the best cooks in the area and enjoy local musicians, arts and crafts. Cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.
Date: October 20
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Art in the Park Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Date: October 20
NC City: BLOWING ROCK
Event: Art in the Park A juried arts & craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a month from May to October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. Prices for objects, from a handmade postcard to a large piece of furniture, range from $5 to $5,000. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local.

Date: October 20
NC City: BANNER ELK
Event: Wooly Worm Festival The 35th Annual Festival includes the infamous worm races along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides. A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events.
Date: October 20
NC City: BANNER ELK
Event: Valle Country Fair The Fair is an overgrown church bazaar set in the center of one of the most picturesque valleys in the North Carolina Mountains at the peak of the fall color season. The tents of 150 juried craft exhibitors line wide lanes that meander back and forth across the grounds. Local mountain musicians perform throughout the day on the main stage while square dancers and cloggers entertain on the youth stage. The church members serve up Brunswick stew, barbecue, baked goods, homemade jams and jellies, fresh-pressed apple cider, and hot-out-of-the kettle apple butter - with 100 percent of the proceeds going to charity. Come enjoy the best of harvest season food and entertainment while shopping for the finest variety of quality handmade crafts in the High Country.
Date: October 20
NC City: WAYNESVILLE
Event: Apple Harvest Festival Savor the sights, sounds and food sensations of the 24th Annual Celebration of the Apple Harvest in Haywood County. Downtown Waynesville's Main Street is lined with Arts, Crafts and Food booths, complete with authentic mountain music and dance to delight you on a crisp fall day.

Date: October 20 - 21
NC City: MAGGIE VALLEY
Event: Maggie Valley Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show An annual seasonal show always popular with the leaf peepers. Crafters from all over the southeast gather at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds to sell their unique wares. A wide selection of seasonal items, yard art, woodwork, paintings and much more. Chainsaw art demonstrations, raffle to benefit local charity and a variety of food.   

Moonlighting Librarian Stikes a Happy Note

By day, Jeff Delfield is the Librarian at Bryson City’s Marianna Black Library. And in his spare time, he’s a maker of unique hand-crafted musical instruments, filling requests from as far away as Australia. Currently, he’s putting the finishing touches on a tackhead banjo with a distinctive “patchwork quilt” design — a specific request of the buyer. To achieve the multicolored pattern, Jeff constructed the rim from eight different woods. And to fully display the beauty of the woodwork, he hid the head tensioning system on the inside of the rim, a technique he borrowed from the makers of Irish Bodhrán drums. The head is calfskin, the neck walnut and the fretboard is made of bloodwood. Jeff makes just one instrument at a time, a process that usually takes about six weeks. You can see more of his hand-crafted folk instruments, including videos, on his Deep Creek Strings website.
Photo and information courtsey of Postcards From The Smokies, Postcards@GreatSmokies.com