<< Back 7/10/02 Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands showcases regional artisans SMN As Asheville rises in frequency on the American public’s radar screen as a travel destination, and visitors hail from points far from traditional markets, tourism professionals are looking closer at what makes the area unique. Western North Carolina has been favored for its blend of long-held traditions and new ideas, for its natural beauty and spiritual inspiration. The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, which has made its home in Asheville for more than 50 years, exemplifies both this bond with tradition and the search for new motifs. Presented at the Asheville Civic Center July 18-21, the summer edition of the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands offers some of the most superb hand craftsmanship in Southern Appalachia, from historically hand-tooled to cutting-edge contemporary. Art aficionados and craft collectors return each year to find one-of-a-kind works by nationally known craftspeople, as well as elegant, functional crafts made for generations of use. Over 160 juried members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild celebrate craft excellence twice yearly at the first and finest craft fair in the South. In addition to its regular offerings, this summer’s fair bears a Scottish theme, underscoring the guild’s summer-long focus on crafts from Scotland. To parallel the exhibition at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center, “Celebrating Scotland’s Crafts from the National Museums of Scotland,” the guild has added special fair programming to illustrate the cultural connections between Scottish and Southern Highlands craft traditions. Highland bagpipe craftsman Hamish Moore, of Perthshire, Scotland, is the special guest demonstrator throughout the four-day fair. Moore specializes in making the bellows-blown small pipes with great attention to historic accuracy. In addition, Scotland born weaver Marjorie Warren (Lake Junaluska) will also demonstrate the weaving of clan tartans, widely popular among Americans of all backgrounds. On Saturday and Sunday, Scottish Heritage specialist John Dall (Waynesville) will share with the public the use of traditional Scottish weaponry and the tinsmithing techniques behind them. Several other demonstrations by guild members are also scheduled. Contemporary quilter Caroline Manheimer (Asheville) shares her methods of developing quilt patterns with the graduated colors of her own hand-dyed fabrics. Fiber artist Peggy DeBell (Waynesville) demonstrates the fascinating new fashion craze of photo image transferring onto fabric. Helen Gibson (Brasstown) a well-known woodcarver of the Brasstown carvers, will demonstrate techniques for her carvings with nature and spiritual themes. Many of the more than 160 guild members participating will also be demonstrating techniques of their trade, and with a commitment to education, all exhibitors are happy to discuss their work with the public. A children’s craft area returns to the craft fair, inviting children to complete simple craft projects with instructor Nora Mosrie. Children’s craft sessions are held each day of the Fair. For a schedule, call the guild at 828.298.7928. As always, performances of local and regional talent will be held three times daily during the Fair. This July, the entertainment schedule includes some authentic Scottish music by noteworthy musicians. At 1 p.m. Saturday, the talents of Scottish heritage diva Flora MacDonald Gammon will be heard on the arena stage. Native Scot Celtic harpist William Jackson will perform at a special 4:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, July 20. Fairgoers can also enjoy the return of such favorites as Split Rail on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the Dowden Sisters on Friday at 1 p.m. and the Delta Billies at 1 p.m on Sunday. Free entertainment happens on the arena stage at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3 p.m. each day of the fair. The Craft Fairs of the Southern Highlands are held at the Asheville Civic Center on Haywood Street in historic downtown Asheville. Tickets are $6 and children under 12 are free with an adult. Group tickets are available with advance notice. For more information or brochures, call the Southern Highland Craft Guild at 828.298.7928; email shcc @buncombe.main.nc.us; or visit the website at www.southemhighlandquild.org