Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands returns to downtown Asheville
Elizabeth Walton was just eight years old when she sold her first beaded earrings at a craft show. An Asheville native, she grew up hammering wire on a miniature anvil and never shook the thrill of seeing metal bend under her hand. She went on to earn a BFA in metalsmithing and jewelry design from Appalachian State University, building a studio practice rooted in the quiet power of the handmade. “In a society highly disconnected from the production of goods and objects, I find the practice of making radically shifts how I consider the world around me,” Walton says. “Hand-making every piece invites me to honor the time it takes to produce an object of meaning and value, and prioritize quality over quantity.” This fall, Walton joins more than 100 juried artists at the 78th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, returning once again to Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. During the four-day event — a twice-yearly showcase for members of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild — visitors can shop original works, watch live demonstrations, and connect directly with makers carrying on centuries-old craft traditions. Admission is $12; children under 12 are free.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands: October 16-19, 10am-5pm
Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville / 67 Haywood St., Asheville / southernhighlandguild.org