Southern Crafts, 48 Hour Films, & Bele Chere

Living in Polk County we have access to a variety of cultural centers in the region. Summer festivals and events are filling the streets. If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of town and explore, this week Asheville has plenty to offer.

This weekend marks the 60th season of the Bi-Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at the Asheville Civic Center. Since 1930 the Southern Highland Craft Guild has brought together artists who reside in the mountain counties of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and the Virginias to share and sell their work. Exhibitors like fiber artist Billie Ruth Sudduth must go through a rigorous jury process in order to participate in the Craft Fair. This weekend over 200 craftspeople will be exhibiting their work in the specific media categories of clay, fiber, glass, leather, manmade materials, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry while live musicians play on the arena stage. Take this opportunity to connect to the traditional arts and invest in regional culture. Go ahead and bring the family because kids under 12 are free and will have the chance to try hands-on projects with the craft educators at the event.

This weekend also kicks off the 3rd Annual International 48 Hour Film Project stop in Asheville. Local filmmakers will draw a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue on Friday night at 7pm and then must write, shoot, edit and create music for an original four to seven minute film by 7pm Sunday. Polk County will be represented by Chris Riddle with MiracleMax Productions in the competition. Friends, fans, and film buffs will then be able to view the films at the Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. July 24-26th to vote on their favorites. The winning film from Asheville will go on to be screened at the end of the year 48HFP Awards Weekend with other city winners and have a chance at this year’s International Grand Prize of $7,500.

July 27-29th marks the 29th Annual Bele Chere Festival in downtown Asheville. Dubbed the “largest free, outdoor street festival in the Southeast,” Asheville will close Patton Ave from Ashland Ave to Charlotte St and showcase 80 entertainment acts on 6 stages, 150 visual artists, and 50 restaurateurs. Headline music acts include Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marty Stuart, Gin Blossoms, Shemekia Copeland, and Lovin’ Spoonful. There will also be appearances by the Purina Ultimate Air Dogs and the Budweiser Clydesdales.More information is available online at www.belecherefestival.com.

See you out and about.

~w