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In the heart of Historic Waynesville
98 N. Main Street, Waynesville NC 28786
(828) 456-1940
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:30
Sunday 1:00-4:00 (Seasonal)
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Dancing with Nature
November 2020 Issue 11 Vol 10
News, Life, and the Art Culture in the Smoky Mountains
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And BAM!! It’s Thanksgiving! A holiday steeped in tradition. The holiday lights are going up on Main Street and we are scurrying to produce creative windows that will add to the excitement of the season. Part of me is saying "WAIT! Let’s do Thanksgiving," a holiday that I remember in grade school announcing to my class was my favorite.
Growing up Thanksgiving took on a variety of faces from the traditional noontime pre-Christmas parades and the immediate family of 10 gathering around the table to a pause from the normal feast for sweet potato fluffed up with marshmallows on top served in half an orange ….. AND apple salad, which my non-culinary mother created and I imagine is a mainstay at my siblings’ Thanksgiving meal. That traditional meal traversed in a variety of ways including a “gaucho asado” (beef parts cooked in a pit). Later, as married couples, we hosted the traditional gathering in our homes and always with a crowd.
I have been blessed with a large family with the ability to gather. Times have changed as situations changed. This year is really going to be so different for so very many. At this time of writing I am not even sure of what John and I will do for Thanksgiving. It could easily be the two of us but it would not be the first time. A Thanksgiving Day tradition that I have enjoyed since moving here is to run a local 5K Turkey Trot -- a super fun way to start the day. There will be no trots this year but I am thinking I will don my traditional turkey scarf and twaddle about the neighborhood. Gobble Waddle Wobble :=).
Another family tradition that has come down through the generations is the Annual Turkey Shoot. There is no wild game sacrificed as the turkey is only a target that could be utilized with a shotgun, bb gun, darts, or bow and arrow with the prize of a bottle of Wild Turkey or a bag of gummy bears for the kids. I doubt John and I will set up a shoot on Wall Street. What Thanksgiving Day tradition will you be transforming this year? I look forward to when we can gather once again.
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I am incredibly grateful for the tremendous support the gallery has received in the past months. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am offering a plea though. As you consider your gifting needs for the 2020 holiday season, artists have been crushed with shows and festivals, their mainstay, being canceled. When considering your gifting rather than dialing up Amazon, perhaps consider a one-of-a-kind something and support an artist not necessarily with us but maybe one in your area. They need you. |
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Please check out the upcoming happenings to keep you in the spirit. Small Business Saturday follows Thanksgiving; get out and support your local, small businesses. Corn Husk Shoppe will be in the gallery on Saturday, December 5th demonstrating the art of corn-husk doll making, weather pending. Everyone’s favorite, Night Before Christmas, December 12th is scheduled to happen complete with music, nativity scene, and luminaries.
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It’s going to be “different” this year and we will be fine. I wish you and your family the blessings of this Thanksgiving and may we all make special memories be they unique or traditional. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Twigs and Leaves Gallery! |
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May You Walk in Beauty ~ Carrie
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SPOTLIGHT ARTIST:
Fran
"The Spoon Man"
Chicoine
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My favorite spoon woods are mountain laurel and dogwood. Being bushes or small trees, they are not as commercially available. Wood from the roots is especially hard and has natural grains. I also use black cherry, pecan, silver birch, apple, and any other worthy wood.
I use a draw knife, chisel, spoon gouge, and a window glass to shape my spoons and then sand them to smoothness. I then apply several coats of walnut oil and two coats of beeswax. I start the process of spoon making with a tree limb 2 to 6 inches in diameter and 15 inches long. I split it in half, producing two pieces of wood that are nearly mirror images of each other. Some are transformed into matching but different spoons, spatulas or flippers complimenting each other. I refer to them as “matching twins” sets. Other pieces of wood become “single” spoons.
Most of my spoons are meant for daily use and kitchen display. However, some are meant only as decorative. An occasional light sanding and oiling is all that is needed to enjoy your spoons for a lifetime. Keep them out of the dishwasher and allow to dry after a gentle wash.
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December Artist Demo:
Judy Horn, Corn Husk Shoppe
Saturday, Dec 5th 11-4pm
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I was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina at the foot of Mount Pisgah. It has always been important to me to keep the mountain way alive and remembered. It is a way to honor my grandmother, Anna Israel, who helped care for me as a child. She always kept a box of “play pretties” to entertain the children. It consisted of buttons, ribbon, colored paper, and anything of which she thought we could make something. I have carried that handmade tradition into my adult life.
Early corn husk dolls were made by the settlers in our mountains. They learned from the Cherokee how to braid the husks and make hats, mats, chair bottoms and dolls for their little girls. Early dolls were made while out in the fields to entertain the children. Now dolls are more collector’s items and are sometimes quite embellished. I like to do mine in a simple style similar to the old mountain ones.
My seed flowers and jewelry are based on the Christmas ornaments done in by gone days. Mountain ladies would string seeds for garlands and put string though seed flowers they made to decorate early Christmas trees.
I hope my works keeps those past days and people in our memory.
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Art After Dark
Friday, December 4th, 6-9 pm
You're invited downtown to December's Art After Dark. It may look and feel different, but it's still your favorite Main Street. Make sure you plan a stop at one of our many great restaurants!
Please check out your favorite social media pages and store websites for updates.
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Tree Lighting
Fri, December 4th, 6pm
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Gather for Caroling, Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Oak Park Inn, 196 S. Main Street. Afterwards head to Downtown for Art After Dark from 6 – 9PM
For more information call 828-456-3517
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Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Mon, December 7th beginning at 6pm
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Watch for Santa as he travels through town! Search the Map for route and time. Pick your spot and wait. Visit DowntownWaynesville.com for the map. Sponsored by the Town of Waynesville.
For more information, contact the Downtown Waynesville Association
828-456-3517
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A Night Before Christmas
Saturday, December 12th
6 -9 pm
An annual holiday tradition held downtown amidst the backdrop of hundreds of luminaries lining the brick sidewalks and twinkling balls in the trees and windows, lamp posts wrapped in red velvet ribbon and garland with huge bows, enjoy carolers, live music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and horse drawn old fashioned wagon rides.
Visit the Living Nativity sponsored by First Baptist Church under the stars. Come for a delicious evening meal in any of our fine restaurants and eateries. Stroll through the shops and galleries open late. Musicians and entertainers perform on the street and within some businesses. Downtown Waynesville is OPEN with special tidings of joy and wishes of cheer, as Christmas is the happiest time of year.
Guests are asked to wear masks and respect the social distancing guidelines for Covid.
For more information please contact the Downtown Waynesville Association: 828-456-3517.
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Find Haywood County COVID19 updates here
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98 N. Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
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