It often seems as though the pace of life is quickening at the expense of quality time — and quality goods. If there’s a contrary push, though, it’s embodied in the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, a biannual event that has steadily promoted commerce for mountain artisans through its founding entity, the Southern Highland Craft Guild, established in 1930.
The Fair itself turns 70 this year, and the Guild now numbers 900 makers across nine states — a prestigious regional presence showcasing works in clay, wood, steel, glass, fiber, and paper, among other mediums. From the outset, interactive education has been an integral component of the Guild’s mission. But the fair’s landmark year “is all about providing more context for craft, whether it’s for the home, office, or other aspects of people’s lives,” says Hannah Berry, the Guild’s communications director. “We want people to learn more about how traditional and contemporary pieces are wonderful additions to their life because of the connection they have with meeting the maker … and learning about their story and process.”
Brandy Clements, co-owner of the Silver River Center for Chair Caning in Asheville that was profiled in Carolina Home + Garden’s spring issue, confesses that she is “shamelessly compelled to perpetuate [my] craft” by demonstrating caning to the masses, as she’ll do at this fall’s fair. “But seeing the emotional reactions and hearing the stories that pop into visitors’ minds when they see me weaving make me appreciate what I do even more,” she adds.
Clements says she’ll be demonstrating Danish cord weaving and handwoven chair caning. Touching is not only allowed, but encouraged: “Visitors can step up and pull a few strands and get a feel for the process.” She’ll have small footstools for kids so they can try their hand at the craft, too.
Also providing demonstrations at the October show will be Cindi Becker-Lemkau, who uses recycled fabric and found objects to make unique treasure boxes; Cassie Dixon, who will be revealing her techniques for making flax; quilter Connie Brown; spinner and weaver Mary Nichols; and wood carver Ronnie McMahan.
New Guild member Jason Lydic is participating in his first Craft Fair. Lydic’s metal sculpture of mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, insects, and invertebrates is influenced by his college studies of biology and wildlife technology and by working as a zookeeper. Despite this intrepid background, he admits to being “very nervous” to be doing the Craft Fair, though he says he’s excited about his acceptance into the Guild.
Woodworker Brian Brace, another relatively new Guild member, credits the Craft Fair (his first was a year ago) with an upsurge in his business: it was there that he sold five of his signature Arbor Bow Arm Morris chairs. He also crafts furniture in the Greene & Greene architectural style, noting, for the sake of context, “I just made dining-room chairs for the last Henry Greene house ever built.”
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at the US Cellular Center (87 Haywood St., Asheville) runs Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22. Hours are 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday. General admission is $8, a weekend pass is $12, and children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, see southernhighlandguild.org.