Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
May 15, 2008 issue
Story by Sam Calhoun
More than 50 artisans and master craftspeople from all over the country will converge into Banner Elk on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, for the Memorial Day Weekend Fine Art and Craft Show at The Great Train Robbery and Emporium, located at 2120 Tynecastle Highway.
Presented by long-time promoter Pat Fay and her company Mountain Top Promotions, the show will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days. Admission and parking are free.
“Shows of this caliber draw out the best in the field,” said Fay. “These are people who do this for a living and some travel far just to show off what they do.”
As always, Fay has scheduled a diverse showing of artisans for the Memorial Day show. From paintings to furniture, from pottery to water fountains, from wine to hand-blown glass, from works of metal to jewelry; the Memorial Day Weekend Fine Art and Craft Show has it all.
“We’ve got a unique blend of craftspeople,” said Fay. “I’ve got a lot of one-of-a-kinds.”
Chateau Laurinda Winery from Sparta will attend with over 25 wines from their vineyards that guests will be able to taste and try, and Mountain Top Jewelry will be bringing their 14-karat and 18-karat jewelry made with natural stones as well as their 24 karat gold coins that they have designed into unique pieces. Lisa Black from Salisbury will be on hand with her crystals, pearls and beads, and Boone photographer Frank Young will be there with some framed landscape portraits taken in the High Country.
Jewelers Rosalyn Rego, Lou Humphreys and Grace Wilkins will all be there, as well as potters Maggie Weldon, Keith Martindale and Vicki Miller. Watercolor artists Randy McGovern, Audrey Young and Barbara Carter all have booths reserved, as well as gourd artist Sandra Price.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The show also features wood furniture, planters of all shapes and sizes, handmade candles, walking sticks, two-piece jacket sets, hand-blown glass art, birdhouses, plants, t-shirts and chainsaw bears.
In addition to the show, The Great Train Robbery and Emporium will be open on both days, offering multitudes of original gift ideas and rare finds.
Fay is hosting five shows this year, including the Memorial Day show. Other shows are scheduled for June 28 and 29, July 4 and 5, August 30-31 and December 12 and 14.
For more information and/or directions, call 828-898-8645.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days
Location: The Great Train Robbery, Banner Elk
Cost: Free