August 2010
Location: Downtown Elizabeth City on Main Street between Water and Poindexter Streets
This quality juried show will celebrate the 3rd year with more hands-on demonstrations and unique one of a kind artists, photographers and craftsmen. The outdoor show is free and food is available on site.
Artists, craftsmen and photographers from all over the country will celebrate excellence in Fine Arts and Crafts. Lisa Winslow., Executive Director of AOA commented that this was a project that she wanted to do for many years. Originally AOA (at that time Pasquotank Arts Council) tried their hand at a downtown art show in conjunction with the Museum of the Albemarle’s Day on the River. The arts show did a good job but dwindled after a few years. Winslow and Gallery Manager Mary Temple have been members of the Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair for 20 years and can appreciate a quality show. “That was something we were adamant about.” said Winslow. “We keep the same strict quality guidelines that we use with the Albemarle Craftsman’s Guild.” We make a promise to our participants that we only accept the best. The participants are Artists, Craftsmen and Photographers who do their “art” as their jobs. Many of these people travel all over the world selling their work and are award winning artists.
The other thing that is important to the festival organizers is to keep an educational aspect to the event. In last year’s event, you could see hands on demonstrations from decoy carvers, pottery artists, painters, gourd makers and more. This year the schedule will include even more art and craft demonstrations to make sure there is at least one demonstration going continuously throughout each day. There could be several tents with demonstrations placed throughout the festival area. The schedule includes demonstrations in painting, gourd work, pottery on the wheel, decoy carving, glasswork, mosaics, basketry and twig furniture. The Tidewater Blacksmith Guild will also be demonstrating both days. Demonstration schedule subject to change.
Changes to the festival this year include a Children’s Activity Tent sponsored by Embarq. Children will find free arts and craft projects that they can make and take with them. Teaching the children is invaluable to inspire the next generation to be creative and appreciative of the arts. There are types of handcrafts have been lost as generations have not been taught how to make them and thus vanished into history.
Arts of the Albemarle |
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