Hometown Holiday Treasures

Still shopping for those last minute gifts? Avoid the mall madness and traffic and find something truly unique at one of the local art galleries.

Up the hill in Saluda you’ll find high quality paintings, prints, photography and sculpture on display at the Saluda Fine Arts Gallery on Main Street. Tucked down underneath the Wildflower Bakery is Your Arts Desire. If you’re looking for the artful, yet practical type of gift, take a moment to explore their eclectic collection of jewelry, pottery, paintings, scarves, and other fine crafts.

In Tryon on Trade Street you’ll find beautiful wildlife and nature paintings and prints in the Green River Gallery as well as fine pencil drawings and paintings at the Gallery Coffeehouse. Don’t miss the final days of the “3 Women/3 Cameras” photography of the surrounding region and “Wondrous Things: Celebrating Local Crafts” at the Upstairs Artspace. The shows close Saturday and purchased art may be picked up during gallery hours 11am – 5pm. Slightly off the beaten path up Ola May Way you’ll find the Saluda Forge and Simply Irresistible Gallery where you’ll discover the beautiful hand painted tile tables of Kathleen Carson and Bill Crowell as well as jewelry, clothing, and some of the finest folk art in the Carolinas.

In the heart of Landrum on Rutherford Street catch the final week of Red Clover Gallery’s Winter Art Expo with a wide variety of fine paintings, photography, jewelry, and more.

Or, take a trip out to Little Mountain Pottery just six miles from Columbus on Peniel Road. On Saturday at 11am Claude Graves will be unveiling the last kiln opening of 2007 along with a special exhibit of the “stick” furniture of Don Rausch. Rausch creates tables and chairs from natural materials that are both beautiful and functional.

Once you’ve finished shopping and are ready to sit back and relax, take a moment to enjoy some live entertainment close to home. This weekend offers a variety of high quality entertainment for every taste.

Tonight the Purple Onion features the lovely “modern vintage” sounds of Miss Tess at 7:30pm. Raised by the sounds of her father’s big band, and backed by her parents on her first album, this guitar playing songstress will take you on a journey of jazz standards with her own special twist.

Friday you can make reservations to put on your finest for the Dickens Dinner at 5:30pm at the Orchard Inn. Enjoy a candlelit meal by the fire seasoned with dramatic readings of A Christmas Carol. If you prefer to keep it casual, try the sweet gospel bluegrass of the Green River Boys at 6pm at Shaffer’s Grill. Or, join in and jam at the Listening to Coffee Open Mic at the Gallery Coffeehouse at 8pm.

Saturday the Tryon Theatre will heat up the night with the Christmas Rockin’ Blues Fest benefiting Hospice of the Carolina Foothills. Starting at 7pm The Rockers, Soul Harvest, and Reddog, Winkie & Friends will bring on the blues in memory of Sue Blackwell. This is an all ages event organized by Blackwell’s three daughters as a thank you for the excellent care their mother received from Hospice. If you’d prefer a nice cozy corner with some sweet soulful original tunes, visit the Purple Onion at 8pm for Chris Rosser. This multi-instrumentalist composer has won songwriting contests at festivals such as Rocky Mountain Folks and Merle Watson as well as earning a main-stage appearance at the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday weekend filled with beautiful music and moments to treasure for years to come.