Stecoah Valley Artisans Guild to be held

Karen Mickler demonstrates how to mold a pot from clay on a throw wheel.

In the era of the internet, giant discount store and mass-produced inexpensive goods. Appalachian mountain culture and contemporary finecrafts and art still survive at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center and Gallery. Ron Thompson, Vice- President of the Stecoah Artisans Guild, said that the Guild and the Stecoah Gallery is a good opportunity for regional artisans to share their work with the public. Thompson, who specializes in woodturning, learning many of the skills from Bob Colpetzer, a master wood turner from Tennessee.

The Gallery is located at the historical Stecoah Union School which opened

in 1926 and

closed in 1994. The building itself is a testament to mountain culture, being built of native rock by many of the residents of the Stecoah Community. Overlooking the auditorium inside the center hangs a panoramic photograph of proud community members on the school's opening day in 1926. Many of the young boys in the picture stand barefoot.

This exquisite jewelry piece is made by David Davies.

After the school closed in 1994, local residents vied to keep the location the center of the Stecoah community by forming the non-profit corporation known as the Stecoah Valley Arts, Crafts and Educational Center, Inc. Lynn Shields, director of the center, has been instrumental in fundraising, planning and holding the center together.

The Stecoah Artisans Guild has evolved out of a need to assist local craftspersons and artists in their quest to market their finecrafts and art. The Guild's mission is to "Establish standards of excellence in artwork and to strengthen and sustain the regional artisan community through education and economic development."

" Although the Guild was formed just over a year ago," said Guild Secretary Donna Mize, " we have 60 members at this point." Mize specializes in soap-making and studied at the John C, Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is home to the Stecoah Gallery. The Gallery, which opened in June 2006, offers a unique opportunity to purchase original art work as well as the finecrafts that have made North Carolina famous. There is a wide variety of traditional and contemporary works: paintings, pottery, weaving, wood-turned items,glass works, photography, jewelry, soaps, quilts, books and much more. The Gallery showcases the work of the Stecoah Artisans Guild, a juried membership organization, as well as the Guild's Associate Artists.

David Davies. Guild President, said the Gallery has done exceptionally well in the first year and it has become a regular shop for persons visiting other area attractions.

Davies, a silversmith, teaches silversmith classes at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts in Young Harris, GA.

A number of Guild members are studio artisans and their work is displayed in the Gallery as well as at their respective studios. The Guild sponsors an Artisans Drive-About in June and November ( 23rd and 24th ) where patrons can visit the studios as well as the Gallery and meet the artisans. This provides the public with an opportunity to learn about the origin of the art.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will sponsor a Harvest Festival at the center on October 19-21. Artisans' work will be displayed in the Gallery and on the center grounds.

Musicians and clogging teams will provide entertainment and vendors will serve traditional and contemporary foods.

The Stecoah Artisans Guild is working in concert with Southwestern Community College to co-sponsor the Mountain Shapes and Colors Festival on November 10 & 11 at the old Almond School on US 19/74 west of Bryson City. This festival will showcase the juried artisans of the Stecoah Artisans Guild and other regional artists.

For more information on the Stecoah Gallery and the Stecoah Artisans Guild call Melinda Dehart, Gallery Director at 828-479-3364.