Harmon Field plays the backdrop to dozens of artisans this weekend as they converge for the Tryon Arts & Crafts fourth-annual fall festival.
TAC will present the festival Oct. 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
TAC Senior Director Julie McIntyre said the festival displays the best of what is taught and produced through Tryon Arts and Crafts.
“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our school – many of the people who are exhibiting are instructors and many others are people who take classes,” McIntyre said. “It’s really to promote the school and to show people what we have to offer.”
The festival will in fact feature more than 40 regional artisans.
Grace Metcalf of Mill Spring will be one of several first-time exhibitors.
The 88-year-old has sewn most of her adult life but began creating crazy quilt wall hangings eight years ago. Another featured artist will be Petey Wingo of the Tryon Doll Makers.
Visitors at the event will see artists making pottery, lapidary, jewelry, glass beads, woodturning and weaving, as well as metalworking in the forge throughout both days.
Some demonstrators plan to invite guests the chance to try their hand at the craft.
McIntyre said TAC staff and volunteers hope people attending the festival will become inspired to delve into the arts themselves.
During each demonstration there will be a sign-up sheet for prospective students.
TAC asks that anyone interested in learning a particular art form or craft leave their name, contact and information about when they would be available to participate in such a course.
“We’re trying to develop new programs to reach more of an audience,” McIntyre said. “We are working to develop programs for homeschool kids and an after-school program, as well as our programs on weekends and at nights to reach people who work.”
The information gathered during the demonstrations will allow TAC to connect with those interested once new programs become available.
This free two-day public event will be held rain or shine.
All donations collected over the weekend will go to support the mission of Tryon Arts and Crafts School.
The festival is made possible by support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources.