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Alleghany County Artists and Craftspeople Create N.C. Mountain Arts Adventure, Studio Tour June 15-17

May 24, 2012. Twelve galleries and studios will host a self-guided studio tour Friday through Sunday, June 15-17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the creativity of more than 50 artists and craftspeople working in Alleghany County. As participants venture along U.S. 21 through Roaring Gap, Sparta, Laurel Springs, Stratford and Turkey Knob, they will explore an area rich in natural beauty that is home to the N.C. Mountain Arts Adventure.

Visitors can watch demonstrations throughout the day at several venues. They will get to know the artists and craftspeople, watch them at work and shop in unique studio and gallery settings. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise listed.

Self-guided maps to galleries and studios are available at every participating studio and at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce on South Main Street. The studio adventure wonders to see are as follows:

“A bird in hand. . .” By Dan Abernathy, 292 Walnut Branch Church Road, off U.S. 221 South, 336-372-2285. Abernathy will host a trip up a winding drive to a peaceful studio with breathtaking scenery and a bastion of beautifully carved birds. Visit and savor the joy of mountain living and graceful arts and crafts.

Alleghany Arts & Crafts, 36 N. Main St., Sparta, 336-372-1776. A cooperative of 40 local artists and crafters. Enjoy Afternoon demonstrations.

Blue Ridge Gallery of Fine Art, 103 Gallery Lane, Sparta, 336-372-1711. Joe Edwards designs wire-wrapped jewelry featuring minerals and gemstones. The gallery features both local and worldwide selections of crafts, paintings, fine jewelry, glass, fiber arts and much more. The studio is located on an 85 acre Christmas tree farm with a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blue Ridge Wood Crafters, 593 Andrews Ridge Road, Sparta, 336-372-1710. John Brady fabricates originally designed cutting boards, lazy susan’s, utensils and furniture from local woods.

Cater Pots, 209 Antioch Church Road, Sparta, 336-372-4604. Robin and Daniel Cater create a variety of stoneware pottery….dinnerware, functional forms, decorative wall hangings, indoor and outdoor sculptures.

Chris Durgin Fine furniture Studio, 456 Ballpark Road, Sparta, 3363724776. Chris Durgin’s work is unified in theory, process, material, shape and form. His furniture not only transcends, but also bridges academic distinctions between functional art and fine art. The intrinsic and extrinsic character of Durgin’s handcrafted furniture, form the elemental to the whole, is nothing less than beautiful. The elements of his pieces converge upon a total vision that has developed from a collaborative process between client, woodworker and wood.

Hughes Glass, 2024 New Hope Church Road, Laurel Springs, 336-359-2600. Award winning glass artist uses traditional flame working techniques to create dramatic wildflower sculptures of borosilicate glass. Daily demonstrations during tour but not open to the public unless by apt otherwise during the year.

Joyce-Medley Stained Glass, 103 Gallery Lane, Sparta, 336-572-2905. From modern lines to landscapes. Stained glass panels and windows with “bling” Allan Joyce & Gary Medley

Mangum Pottery, 280 Turkey Hollow Lane, Sparta, 336-372-5291. Potter Robin Mangum designs stoneware, porcelain, terra cotta and figurative art at his studio on Turkey Knob.

Pottery Place, 4 South Main Street, Sparta 336-372-3443. Artist and quilter Tina Duffey and potter Sarah Harper exhibit pottery and photographs, quilts, watercolors, slumped glass, turned wood, intaglio prints, and antiques in their studio gallery.

Shaw Fine Woodworking, 3727 Hwy 18 South, Sparta, 336-372-8000. Ray Shaw creates fine hand crafted furniture and custom woodwork. Gallery features furniture, pottery, hand painted glassware, art gourds, framed prints and original art.

Studio Redwood, Inc., 4 South Main Street, Sparta, 336-372-7111. Chris Elliott-Davis paints fine art, and showcases framed prints, gift items, books, faux finishes, murals, ceiling art, painted furniture, painted clothing, painted decoration studio, art instruction.

For more information, visit the event website www.ncmountainartsadventure.com or call the chamber at 336-372-5473.