5th Annual National Craft Celebration brings Western NC together

Held annually the first Friday of October, and lasting 10 days, American Craft Week is the national event that brings together everyone who loves, supports, creates, and sells hand-made fine craft in our country. This year, the celebration takes place October 3 – 12 and includes over 40 events in Western North Carolina. With craft festivals, open studios, gallery exhibitions, art markets, and demonstrations there will be is something for everyone to enjoy during this years’ American Craft Week celebration.

The public is invited to kick-off the WNC American Craft Week celebration in Asheville on Friday, October 3 at The Center for Craft Creativity & Design (CCCD), 5:30pm, with Mayor Esther Manheimer.  Mayor Manheimer will speak on what she believes sets our area apart as a leader in the National Craft Industry, as well as her views on Craft’s role in making Asheville a Destination. The CCCD is located at 67 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville, NC.

On Saturday, October 11 at 5:00pm, everyone is invited to join the Art and Business Community to hear American Craft Week in WNC Keynote Speaker, Karen Fowler, Executive Director of ArtFields, in Lake City, SC.  Lake City is the hometown of financier Darla Moore, who has donated millions to the Universitiy in South Carolina and is one of only two women members of the Augusta National Golf Club. She has been one of the key organizers of ArtFields, which is an effort to revitalize Lake City. ArtFields is considered an art event of epic proportions, designed to have economic and life-changing possibilities for its community as well as the Southeast.

With the American Craft Week 5^th anniversary emphasis on Cultural Tourism, Karen Fowler’s experience with ArtFields is a perfect fit and we look forward to hearing her story and insights.  This event will take place at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Ave. at 5pm (enter from Hillard Ave, between Church and Lexington).

Western NC’s American Craft Week collaboration is an example that others in the nation have followed and this year is shaping up to be a huge event! See americancraftweek.com for national events and americancraftweek.com/wnc for all the Western NC details.