 At a Glance
What: The 62nd Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands: Over 200 craftspeople fill two floors with fine handcrafted items, while local musicians play live on the arena stage, and craft educators share their knowledge.
Where: Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville, NC
When: July 15-18 & October 21-24, 2010, 10am-6pm Thursday – Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sunday
Admission: Adults $7, children under 12 free. Group discounts available
For four days each July and October, the Civic Center in Asheville comes alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts. The Fairs, a local tradition since 1948, showcase the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and feature craft demonstrations, regional music and entertainment.
Over 200 craftspeople fill the two levels of the Civic Center selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. As members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the exhibiting artists have passed a rigorous jury process to become a part of the organization. Membership is open to artists who live in the mountain counties of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and the Virginias.
 While locals and visitors can find crafts at numerous galleries, the Fairs are unique in that they offer people the opportunity to connect with the artists by purchasing directly from them. The community this fosters is important to craftspeople and patrons alike. In an age of mass production and imports, the connection to fine American craft and the individual maker is more relevant than ever. The Fairs help the Southern Highland Craft Guild fulfill its mission to bring together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation.
The Craft Fairs take place in beautiful downtown Asheville, NC nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long known as an arts and crafts destination, Asheville offers architectural charm, eclectic restaurants and a wide variety of lodging. People come to Asheville seeking relaxation and inspiration. The Craft Fairs of the Southern Highlands certainly enhance this experience each October.
Additional information about this event is available at 828-298-7928.
Craft demonstrations are a highlight at the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. Watching and interacting with highly skilled craftspeople as they create is entertaining and educational. Throughout the show, visitors will have the opportunity to observe works by over 200 members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and to learn about their inspiration and methods. There are also scheduled demonstrations to enhance the experience. Most demonstrators are Guild members while others are community artists who have been invited to the Fair.
Also see the home of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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