Saturday, June 1 has been set aside as a Speaker’s Event Day at Tryon Arts and Crafts School. Two familiar local artists have been asked to speak about their craft and how they came to produce it in our area.

Don Blackwell, an artist and teacher at Isothermal Community College, will speak at 11 a.m. His topic will be “Traditional Mountain Carving.” Blackwell is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who lived in Alaska before coming to live in western North Carolina. Blackwell carves in wood, crafting mountain wood spirits on hiking sticks, canes and larger pieces as well. He is an active part of the art community and a member of the Woodcarver’s Group at Tryon Arts and Crafts School.

Cindy Walker, a local activist and fiber artist, will be speaking at 11:45 a.m. on cotton manufacturing and dyeing and spinning in our area.

Walker has her own business producing natural cotton yarns that she has spun, dyes and knits. Her company is StonyHill Fiberarts and she sells products through North Woods Farm Fiber and Yarn Shop in Inman, S.C. and through her website.

The public is invited to attend this free presentation at Tryon Arts and Crafts School, located at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon. While attending the lecture, visitors can also browse the gift shop open until 1 p.m. Some items from the Shoebox Fundraiser will also be on sale.

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit crafts organization located at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon, NC and exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone.

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit organization that exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone through education, instruction and expression of heritage and contemporary arts and crafts in a friendly, stimulating and enriching environment.

For more information about Tryon Arts and Crafts School, contact 828-859-8323 or visit www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org.

– article submitted by Christine Mariotti