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Avery County Hosts 23rd Annual Fine Arts and Master Craft Festival Held July 18-20 in Banner Elk

by Madison V. Fisler

July 15, 2014. The 2014 Fine Arts and Master Craft Festival will be held July 18, 19 and 20 in Banner Elk, hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. 

This year will mark the 23rd anniversary of the annual festival, and 2014 is expected to be the best one yet. 

This event, which has been an Avery County installment for 23 years, brings together 85 of the top artists and master craftsmen (and women!) to the High Country for a weekend of art, entertainment and fun. 

The festival is strictly fine art and master crafts and the vendors first participate in an invitation only juried process to pick the best of the best to be represented in the three-day event. Media that will be represented this year includes the following:

  • Mixed media
  • Jewelry
  • Sculpture
  • Blown and stained glass
  • Pottery
  • Paintings
  • Photography
  • Textiles
  • Furniture
  • Woodwork
  • and much more. 

The festival will take place Friday, July 18 from 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m.-4 imgresp.m. at the Historic Downtown Banner Elk Elementary School. 

“Typically we get around 3,000 folks to come out over the weekend,” said Susan Freeman, executive director of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. “We get a lot of locals and even folks from hours away that come just for the festival. We hope a million people come out!”

The festival will offer things for every budget, from $15 art pieces to commissioned pieces worth thousands of dollars. At this event, there really is something for everyone. Even the kids can enjoy some of the action with face painting by Fake-a-Face. 

Barbecue and ice cream will also be available for purchase at the event if customers get a bit peckish. 

The next Fine Arts and Master Craft Festival will be held later in the summer, Aug. 15-17, and will feature all that the July event does with the addition of live music, courtesy of the Whip Daddies. 

For more information about this event, click here or call 828-898-5605.