Little Big Box. Ray Jones, artist
The 78th Fall Edition of the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will take place at Harrah’s Cherokee Center–Asheville from Thursday, October 16, through Sunday, October 19. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the fair will feature more than 100 juried artists from across the Southern Appalachian region. Visitors can expect to find a wide variety of handmade work, including pottery, jewelry, furniture, woodwork, glass, fiber, leather and metalwork. Alongside the booths, the event will include live demonstrations, a raffle, hands-on activities for children, and the opportunity to learn more about heritage craft and new makers in the field.
For exhibiting artist Alex Gray, who runs the art and furniture business Studio Colibri, the event is an opportunity to share work in new ways. “I build unique custom furniture inspired by natural forms,” says Gray. “Every piece is unique and built with great care and attention to detail. I like to make pieces that are as perfect as I can build to show people that intentionality and care are still alive in the world of craft.”
Doris Wins First Prize (Biggest Turnip Ever).
Lesley Keeble, artist
Gray will showcase his work alongside ceramicist Maya Stansbury. “I’m excited about this fall’s fair because I’m interested in diving into cultivating experiences as well as crafting individual pieces,” Gray says. “We’re hoping to create a booth that immerses attendees in the natural world through our art. Ultimately, people purchase art for the experience it provides them. Art makes people want to be alive and present in the world and helps them see what’s important. Outside of individual purchases, I’d like to use my art to create immersive experiences, to create wonder and to inspire.”
The Guild is also highlighting its member artists through the big/LITTLE exhibition at the Folk Art Center, on view through January 21. The show focuses on proportion, showcasing works that exaggerate or shrink forms in unexpected ways. “The past year has been difficult for the Guild and its artists, and I thought for this year’s member exhibit we could perhaps use an opportunity to play—specifically with proportion,” says Valerie Berlage, curator of collections and exhibitions at the Guild. “Proportion is an extremely important element of design, and we all work hard to find that perfect balance when we create. But, this was a chance to turn that notion on its head. Whether exaggerating a portion of the object, shrinking/enlarging the whole thing or perhaps even interpreting the prompt in their own different way, this was a good opportunity to have some fun. I asked the artists if they could still find that perfect balance when they skewed things, find that perfect disproportion, if you will, and they delivered in a big way.”
The big/LITTLE exhibition is free to the public at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, while the Craft Fair requires ticketed admission ($12 for adults, free for children under 12). Tickets are available at the door during all four days of the event.
The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville is located at 87 Haywood Street, Asheville. Learn more at CraftGuild.org/craftfair.
