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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
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Dancing with Nature
July 2022 Issue 5 Vol 12
News, Life, and the Art Culture in the Smoky Mountains
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JULY already. That means we are into the 2nd half of the year. There is always a conversation about how quickly time passes while at the same time when we are guilty of thoughts of wishing time away. Thinking if we can only get to ….. I don’t know ….. the next Art After Dark then things will quiet down. Personally, I should practice a quote that I came across, “don’t get so busy making a living you forget to make a life”. I am all about “every moment matters” and “embracing the now” but I can get on the fast track and all that goes out the window as I try to make the moment perfect and miss out on being truly present. I need to sit back and soak it all in, as “the now will go fast”. I sometimes hear in the gallery, after asking if we can help find something, the response of, “No, I’m just killing time”. I am stricken with the emptiness of that statement as time is so very precious. As you look back at memories of the first half of 2022 and look forward to the second half, I hope that you will be present in the moments big and small as you grab life with all the gusto that you have.
Most everyone in their childhood possibly had a street-side lemonade stand with hopes of some weak-hearted soul making a purchase on a hot July day. As children, my siblings and I attempted to sell handmade flip-flops constructed of cardboard and fabric. They were just as terrible as you are imagining, and I do not remember selling one pair. Then there were the jars of rollie pollies that we were certain would be a crowd pleaser. I guess we found joy in the tickling legs on our hands and then letting them roll around on our palms and assumed the rest of the world would actually pay good money for bugs that gardeners detest.
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Certainly, we tried our hand at selling a beverage; it would have been Kool-Aid, either cherry or grape, and probably no ice. Thus began my retail career.
The present, young generation has taken this financial opportunity to new heights. Some years ago, several of you very generously purchased rocks/gems from my, at that time young, grandson Nash when he set up his display capitalizing on the gallery traffic. From there he moved on to clay figures and a couple of oil paintings with a fox theme. This past weekend my granddaughters set up artwork for sale in that same gallery spot that they were producing on the spot. The staff enjoyed listening to them interact with their customers. I appreciate everyone that obliged them as I chalked it up as a good, interactive experience for them. The FL granddaughter had just come off from selling zinnia arrangements that she and I put together when we were at our farm. It is a joy to see them developing their artistic talents at such a young age while making summer memories to tell their grandchildren one day.
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Downtown Waynesville is in high gear with summer activities. Folkmoot flags are lining the street for the now condensed event. Round dance caller Joe Sam Queen still layers the road with cornmeal in preparation for the street dances. Dan Binkley has bears and owls carved ready for painting at our pop-up event on the 30th. Becky Smith is keeping her jewelers’ saw busy preparing for her August show. A new restaurant, Singletree Heritage Kitchen, located in the Historic Walker Service Station, has opened with rave reviews. And the cast of Music Man continues to wow audiences at Hart Theatre. There is always something going on in our little, mountain town.
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May You Walk in Beauty ~ Carrie
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SPOTLIGHT ARTIST:
Brad Smith
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Brad Smith was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was introduced to blowing glass in 1998 at Bucks Rock performing and visual arts camp in New Milford, CT. Brad studied glassblowing at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NM, and later at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN. Brad has also studied at Pilchuck Glass School, Urban Glass, Haystack Mountain School of crafts, and the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass. Brad earned his BFA in glass at the Appalachian Center for Craft, part of Tennessee Technological University in 2012.
After earning his degree, Brad and his wife fiber artist Kendall White relocated to Santa Fe, NM where he lived and worked for 5 years, primarily focusing on retail craft shows. In 2017 Brad relocated to Asheville, NC to buy a home, and continue his career working at the North Carolina Glass Center as a participating artist, and studio technician. In 2019 Brad completed the construction of his own hot glass studio and welcomed his first child, Elliott into the world.
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Stroll the galleries from 6-9 pm
every first Friday, May - December 2022
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Becky Smith
August Featured Artist
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Becky Smith is a native of Canton, North Carolina. Her studio is set up at her parents’ home nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She grew up on a working farm and from that learned how to work with her hands.
She is a strong believer in making it yourself and attributes that to her parents who always said this when she was a child. She was surrounded by 3 older brothers growing up and takes from that an understanding of machinery and a general idea of how things work.
As a child, she was always encouraged to be creative, and in high school, she started to make jewelry. After falling in love with the craft, she attended the professional crafts program at Haywood Community College, where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Jewelry.
Becky's work is inspired by the natural elements she encounters every day in nature. She loves making jewelry and creating fun new pieces that others can wear. Becky is blessed every day with the talents and skills God gave her.
Friday evening, as you stroll through the gallery’s 120+ primarily regional artists enjoy live piano music by Trisha Wolfe and delight in small bites and beverages.
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Dan Binkley DIY Paint Workshop |
Join us in the gallery with Dan Binkley!
Saturday, July 30th, 11-3 pm
$20/owl, $25/bear
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**PLEASE NOTE THAT DATES AND EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO CHANGES IN COVID GUIDANCE. PLEASE CHECK WITH US BEFORE TRAVELING. WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED** |
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Mark your calendars for July 29th - 31st 2022!
July 30th Downtown Waynesville International Day Street Festival 10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
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One Last
Summer Mountain Street Dance
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Sarge's 17th Annual
Downtown Dog Walk
Saturday, August 6th, 9 am
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Final Week of "The Music Man"
at HART
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Everyone who's seen it has absolutely loved "The Music Man!" Catch a performance while you still can and watch for HART's next production of "The Book of Will."
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Gallery Pop-Up Demo with June Rollins |
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Oil Painter Sarah Sneeden |
Sarah Sneeden will be demonstrating Friday, September 2nd, 6-9 pm!
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information!
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Keep tabs on more upcoming regional events here
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98 N. Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
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