A summer tradition in Highlands for 17 years, the Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft Show is the premier show in the area. This weekend’s show will also be the organization’s largest. Be prepared to be wowed by the astonishing skill and talent represented at the event, which showcases some of the area’s most gifted artists, weavers, woodworkers, potters, jewelers, etc.
Many new vendors will create an exciting mix with the show’s regulars. New vendors include Ed Moses, of Franklin, who operates Moses Grove Apiary and will be selling honey; Avery McGaha, also of Franklin, makes essential oils and uses dried flowers to create resin jewelry; from the Glenville area we have Anita Gifford and Terrie Johnson bringing a variety of lovely pottery items.
Tina Goolsby, of Maggie Valley, cuts out designs in old china and transforms them into beautiful necklaces and earrings. She urges people to bring their vintage porcelain or silverware to have her make keepsake gifts for family members.
Something else unusual will be photographs printed on stone and salvaged wood by Bistra Hristova of Asheville. Brenda Banach of Mills River, NC is a fiber artist who creates hand-stitched artwork, cards and hand towels.
Returning vendors include the Gilletts of Scaly Mountain, who will demonstrate their lathe-turning technique for making pens whose sales benefit a non-profit that provides food to hungry people around the world. Artist Vicki Ferguson will return, as will Melissa Brown of Hollywoof Styles (dog collars), Appalachian Farm organic CBD products (from Franklin), Carol Williams with hand-made childrens’ clothes, and Christine and Benson Picklesimer with jewelry.
As usual, there will be a lot of wood products such as trays, lamps, turned bowls, carved wood, mantles and furniture. If you get hungry, Fressers Courtyard Cafe and the Secret Garden in the Village Square will be open both days.
Admission to the Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft Show is free, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support Rotary’s fuel and scholarship programs plus other efforts in the local and interna-tional community.
The show is Sat./Sun. August 27 – 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Located downtown in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine St. (two blocks from Main St.). For more information, text or call coordinator Cynthia Strain at 828-318-9430 or visit the show’s Facebook page.