Beth Llewellyn of Carolina Mountain Woodturners demonstrating at the Craft Fair in July
The 79th Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands returns to downtown Asheville from Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 18, bringing more than 100 juried makers together at Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The fall edition of the fair will feature pottery, sculpture, furniture, textiles, apparel, jewelry, mixed media and other handcrafted work. Ten members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Emerging Artist Program will join the juried Guild members exhibiting at the event.
“Events like this are what keep a maker culture alive in a place,” says Theresa Clower, mixed-media sculptor. “It’s one of the few times all year when people can walk up, hold a piece in their hands and talk directly to the person who made it—no gallery wall or online listing in between.”
Clower will bring mixed-media sculptural pieces made with skeletonized flax leaves that she bends, wires and gilds, combining them with materials including steel, rusted metal, reclaimed wood and dried native magnolia. The one-of-a-kind works range in scale and draw on her interest in transformation and impermanence.
“I take materials that most people would consider fragile or already finished with—a leaf past its prime, rusted metal, dried wood—and give them a second life as something structural and lasting,” Clower says. “Nothing in my studio is disguised to look like something else; you can still see the flax leaf, the rust, the grain of the wood.”
Fiber artist Ashley Bangert will bring handbags and purses made from cork fabric with upcycled vinyl and leather accents to the October fair.
“The craft fair is important because it brings artwork of the highest standards to the people and supports the artist,” Bangert says. “It’s different from other vending experiences because the patrons that show up know the quality of work is high and they appreciate that.”
Beyond shopping, visitors can watch master artisans demonstrate their processes and learn about the Guild’s history and role in the regional craft economy at educational and heritage booths. Bluegrass and traditional musicians will perform throughout the weekend, and a raffle will offer visitors a chance to win work by exhibiting artists, with proceeds supporting the Guild’s educational mission.
James Young, a studio potter in Black Mountain, will bring work ranging from everyday mugs and cups to larger lamps, vases, teapots and pouring vessels.
“In our current era of low-effort, mass-produced slop, the Southern Highland Craft Guild stands in opposition,” Young says. “There is value in the time, skill and care that goes into making something by hand. When you buy handmade, you’re helping keep that craftsmanship alive.”
Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville is located at 87 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Admission is $12 for adults and free for children younger than 12. Learn more CraftGuild.org/craftfair.
