Email
PrintMaking a Difference
New 10-day event highlights current craze for craft
Craft has always been tightly woven into the fabric of Western North Carolina. From the early settlers whose self-reliance came by necessity to today’s artisans who choose to make their living with their hands, the region’s craft tradition started strong and continues to thrive. Local crafters will join their colleagues around the country to celebrate all things handmade during the inaugural American Craft Week, October 1-10.
Initiated by the national group CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow), the event was introduced locally by Sherry Masters of Grovewood Gallery. A growing number of local people are plying artistic trades — witness the surge not only in shops but in such trendy events as The Big Crafty.
But because their businesses are small- scale, they don’t have strong marketing budgets. “Advertisements by big-box retailers are constantly in view, but independent crafters can’t afford that kind of presence,” explains Masters. “Joining together, we have a chance to make an impact.” While stories of jobs being sent overseas are rife in the media, independent crafters are creating their own jobs — and creating beautiful handmade objects with lasting value. “There are ways to build up local economies,” says Masters. “This is a chance to build awareness about the great things people are making.”
WNC can boast the strongest showing of all participating regions: 33 regional events are planned during the week. “It’s just amazing to see how much is going on,” says April Nance of the Folk Art Center. “It really brings it home to see the history and wealth of talent we have in this area.”
From Brasstown to Burnsville, from a kiln opening at Little Mountain Pottery in Tryon to the Blue Ridge Fiber Show at the N.C. Arboretum, the range is vast. Beyond building awareness, says Barbara Zaretsky of Asheville’s Cloth Fiber Workshop, American Craft Week is a chance to increase participation. Interactive projects will offer a low-commitment opportunity to give craft a try, though not necessarily all of them will be for beginners.
“This gives people a taste of what they can do, and lets them think about what they might want to do,” says Zaretsky. Dipping into DIY, one can’t help but appreciate the time and effort that goes into this new-again old-world endeavor.
Local Resources: Grovewood Gallery – crafts; Folk Art Center – crafts; Cloth Fiber Workshop – fiber arts; Little Mountain Pottery – pottery
