The
show takes place on the green in front of the Historic Banner Elk School, with
proceeds from booth rentals going directly to renovation efforts for the
1930s-era school.
“We
consider ourselves a master craft event. We’re geared toward artists who are
involved in any medium in the Appalachian tradition of hand crafters,” says show
director Kimberly Tufts. “We actually have a gentleman from Boone who builds
sculptures out of stone. We have metal artists, glass artists, potters, and
high-quality jewelry from all types of makers. We have wood workers of all
varieties from furniture to home decor wood items, as well as painters in a
variety of mediums – watercolor, acrylic and oil.”
The
Labor Day weekend event is the last of three Art on the Greene events that take
place yearly during the three summer holiday weekends – Memorial Day, July
Fourth and Labor Day.
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| photo by Todd Bush |
The
shows have been held for more than a decade. This is the second year the Town of
Banner Elk has operated Art on the Greene to benefit the historic school built
in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great
Depression.
Proceeds from the three shows last year were used to
repaint the interior of the former school and install a new heating
system.
“This is our jewel property in downtown Banner Elk and
what we’re trying to do is revitalize the property and the building itself,”
Tufts says. “The purpose is for community use and life-long
learning.”
There is no admission charge for the show, which runs
from 10 AM. to 5 PM. both days. Food will be available from The Real Food
Truck of Asheville.
“We’re focused on embracing our Appalachian heritage
with local and regional artists – really highlighting things in the hand-crafted
Appalachian tradition,” says Tufts.
September 2 - 3, 2016 Annual
Smoky Mountain Folk Festival
This is the 46th Annual Festival.
Lake Junaluska Conference
& Retreat Center offers two nights of the finest traditional music and
dance of the Southern Appalachian Region. 
