Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock Friday

Story by Anna Oakes

Trena McNabb’s “Seasons with Seedling,” a part of her “Mother Earth” series, is featured at the Morning Star Gallery on Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock.

On the eve of Blowing Rock’s popular Art in the Park, the public is invited to a Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive on Friday, July 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and continuing until at least 8:00 p.m. Participants include art galleries, retail stores and restaurants.

Art & Artifacts, a new gallery located beside Mellow Mushroom, will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening at 5:45 p.m. N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton and Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence will be in attendance at the ceremony. The gallery, owned by Judi Russell and managed by Lynn Hill, shares space with Hill’s real estate company, Blowing Rock Gallery of Homes and Land.

The gallery will serve wine and hors d’oeuvres and remain open until 8:30 p.m. As part of the gallery stroll, Art & Artifacts will hold a meet-and-greet with some of its artists. The gallery features the paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass, woodwork and fiber arts of artists Roger Nelson, Kevin Beck, Bill Stronach, Roberta Nosti, José Fumero, Herb Cohen, Stephen Brooks, Alex Hallmark, Irmaly Brackin, Lynne Marshall, Elaine Arnold, David Combs, Sterling Edwards, Frances Bost, Sam McDowell, Glen Randle, Suzi Cook, Virginia True and Judi Russell.

Morning Star Gallery will present “Landscapes, Here and There” an art show of eight regional artists’ recent paintings, including oils, watercolors and acrylics. Artists include Linda Leeger Stokes, Wes Waugh and Trena McNabb. Keeping with the gallery’s theme of “handmade in America,” the gallery will serve American wines.

Christopher’s Wine and Cheese currently features the paintings of Gisele Wiseman and Ann Langshaw, pottery by Mike McGuire and custom artisan woodwork by David Fisher in its gallery. Refreshments will be served. Trillium’s Exquisite Baubles invites you to see handcrafted sterling jewelry fashioned by regional silversmith Barbara Cook.

The bar at The Best Cellar will be available for lunch, dinner, and cocktails in the garden, weather permitting. Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant invites strollers to enjoy complimentary pizza. Al fresco seating is available at The Best Cellar, Blowing Rock Grille, Crippen’s and Mellow Mushroom Pizza.

Retail store Jake’s on the Rock will have lemonade, and Angelina Lewis at DeWoolfson Down, makers of fine linen, invites you join her to learn about their down-filled products made right here in the High Country. Blowing Rock Estate Jewelry and Antiques and Gregory Alan will also offer hors d’oeuvres.

For more information, contact Maggie Wilson at the Morning Star Gallery at 828-295-6991.