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July Issue 2007
60th Anniversary of the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville, NC - July 19-22, 2007
The 60th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will take place at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC. The Summer Edition takes place from July 19-22, 2007.
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands has been a much anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. Over the course of six decades this event has become an established destination and a revered tradition. Produced by the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Craft Fair is much more than a marketplace for fine craft. It is a cornerstone to the mission of the Guild, bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands.
More than two hundred craftspeople fill two floors of the Civic Center with fine handcrafted items. Local musicians play live on the arena stage; craft educators share their knowledge with adults and children alike through demonstrations and hands-on projects. Eleven thousand visitors from all over the country participate in festivities during the four days of the show. Over the course of the event, nearly a million dollars are invested in the purchase of craft and in the future of Appalachian regional culture.
In 1948, the first Craftsman's Fair was held in Gatlinburg, TN, as a joint effort by Southern Highlanders and Southern Mountain Handicraft Guild. The show moved to Asheville in 1951. Today, the show continues to be held in Asheville and is known as the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands.
"Every handcrafted piece tells a story, evokes a memory of a very real person, adds a special warmth and character to daily life," said Garry Barker, author of The Handcraft Revival in Southern Appalachia.
The Craft Fair takes place in beautiful downtown Asheville, nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long known as an arts and crafts destination, Asheville offers architectural charm, eclectic restaurants, shops and colorful locals. It is upon this backdrop that members of the Guild and connoisseurs alike converge twice annually.
Admission is $6 for adults and children under 12 are free. Group discounts are available.
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings, call the Guild at 828/298-4263 ext. 311 or visit
(www.craftguild.org).
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