Glass cloche and wine glass. Miguel Alaniz, artist
In 2022, Burnsville resident Melanie St. Jean launched First Friday Burnsville to provide a space for the many artisans in the region to sell their wares and promote their work. The monthly market welcomes artisans of all levels, from novice to professional, with the only requirement being that they manipulate a raw material into a functional or decorative object. “I have had the opportunity to be part of a number of artist communities from New York to North Carolina,” says Kate Smyre Meth of heARTwork Studio, a participant in First Friday Burnsville. “I have never been in an area that has such a concentration of extraordinary artists who go out of their way to share, collaborate and celebrate each other. It is a wonderful community to be part of and I’m grateful every day that I was lucky enough to find it.”
Rain or shine, the market runs from 5–8 p.m. at the Burnsville Town Square on the first Friday
of each month, May through December, with the exception of August, when the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair takes place. The next market is on Friday, September 1. Sharon Bass of Watergirl Designs is a jeweler that participates in the monthly event. “Each piece represents more than just jewelry that I create,” she says. “It’s work that I use to contribute to community in a positive way, through giving back or sharing what I know and have learned.” Bass adds that the artisan community at the market creates a fun, engaging atmosphere for everyone in attendance. “The support and inspiration of our art community helps us thrive,” she says. “Art is a tough trade, with success a continuous ebb and flow. I’ve come to know some of Burnsville’s artists and I’m grateful to know such a high-quality group of people.”
To learn more, visit Facebook.com/FirstFridayBurnsville or email FirstFridayBurnsville@gmail.com.
