Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
UPDATE: Win two tickets to attend the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands this weekend (it actually starts today) by leaving a comment on this post. I’ll pick a winner this afternoon.
ORIGINAL POST Oct. 6: It’s that time of year again. Press release here:
At a Glance
What: The 67th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Where: US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville, NC
When: July 17 – 20 and October 16 – 19, 2014
10am-6pm Thursday – Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sunday
Admission: Adults $8, children under 12 free. Group discounts available.
Additional information: http://www.craftguild.org/ or 828-298-7928
Join us for the 67th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, NC, July 17 – 20 and October 16 – 19, 2014. 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 Craft Fairs have a proud tradition and history of excellence by representing the Southern Highland Craft Guild, a non-profit organization formed in 1930. The Fairs began in 1948 as a way to provide a regional market for the mountain craftspeople. Since that time, the Craft Fairs have set the standard for fine craft shows across the country. Each year in July and October craft collectors and gallery owners from across the country come to Asheville to see the show. They are joined by western North Carolina residents and tourists who appreciate the quality and history of the show, knowing it is an ideal destination for shopping and inspiration. 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, NC.
Several new Guild members will be exhibiting at the Craft Fair for the first time in July including Matt Kelleher (clay), Ursula Goebels-Ellis (clay), Kim Thompson (jewelry), Erin Janow (clay), Robin Ford (fiber), Linda Azar (jewelry), Catherine Murphy (metal), and Zan Barnes (clay). For a complete list of exhibitors visit www.craftguild.org.
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. The July show features blacksmithing, natural dyeing, basket making and woodcarving. 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.
Cool groovy swell, free tickets to go…shopping! Sign me up!
Awesome! My parents are visiting me in Asheville for the first time! Would be great to go.
I am high on Southern crafts!
I would really love to go!
it should be called the northern lowland machinecraft guild.a bunch of trust funders stealing our culture.i have made a living all these years in the craft business without them.talk about cultural appropriation! your friend truckwilkins
Would love to go! Crafts and music! Love it!
Oooh ooooh ooooh! Pick me! 🙂
I’ve never been.
My girlfriend and I love Ashvegas and would absolutely love to go to the Craft Fair!
an awesome event; we are lucky to have the chance to interact with and buy from such talented artists
Hope to go to this! You rock ASHVEGAS. Thanks for keeping us informed
My girlfriend, who lives in another WNC town, is in AVL with me this weekend. We’ve never been to the Craft Fair, but would absolutely love to go!
Love ya Ashvegas!
It’s my birthday this weekend and would love to go!
woohoo!
We go every year. I love it!
It’s time to start my Christmas shopping! Pick me please!
Looking forward to another great fair!
I’ll never forget our first “is this the right town for us?” trip to Asheville when we were dining at Early Girl and the kind people at the next table gave us their VIP tickets to the Craft Fair. Yes, GAVE us their VIP tickets. We live here now.
yay, crafts!
Pick me!