Dillsboro hosts the 8th Annual ColorFest on Saturday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 40 juried artists and a daylong musical lineup. This free, family-friendly event features food, dancing and artist demonstrations.
“The historic town of Dillsboro has evolved into the place to come for appreciation of the arts,” says Connie Hogan of the Dillsboro Merchants Association.
Artists have been selected based on originality, creativity and workmanship. Most come from Western North Carolina, with some displaying traditional crafts such as basket weaving, chair caning and authentic Cherokee art. Pottery, jewelry, textiles, oils and pastels will also be featured in the exhibit area along Front Street. Some artists will provide demonstrations and all will have art for sale.
A recycled glass artist, Nina Fette is a first-time presenter this year. She uses glass bottles, repurposed copper wiring and found objects to create glass mosaics, mobiles and earrings. “There are just so many things that can be made from these bottles that were headed to the landfill,” she says, “if you have a little imagination.” She is self-taught and happened upon her art while using old bottles for fill behind a retaining wall. “I really loved all the different, beautiful colors. That’s how it all began!”
A nearby stage will be the setting for music and dancing throughout the day. Among the local talent will be acoustic classic rock cover duo Twelfth Fret, Haywood County dance team the J. Creek Cloggers, Betty Brown’s “Singing Appalachian Stories” and Kim Shuler, a local singer who performs vintage music from the 1930s and up. Broom dances, clogging and square dances invite audiences to kick up their heels.
For more information, see visitdillsboro.org.
