11th annual Saluda Arts Festival May 17

Published 10:00 pm Sunday, May 11, 2014

2012-SAF-026

The small mountain village of Saluda, crests at the top of the Saluda Grade where passengers and artists traveled to Saluda on the first passenger trains up the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad in the USA to find cooler havens in which to create.
Appreciation is shown to the first artists who settled and started the “art movement” in Saluda by celebrating the eleventh annual Saluda Arts Festival.
With more than 100 artists showing a variety of art mediums, this will be the largest number of artists to exhibit.
The festival is May 17, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  This year’s artists and craftspeople will represent a diversity of media; paintings, woodworking, sculpting, pottery, fiber, jewelry, metal, and much more.
A new feature this year will be the addition of the “Saluda’s Writing Guild” representing local published and non-published authors.
Stoney Lamar, the festival’s music coordinator, has lined up the festival’s performing artists.
The Deluge will play from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Blending roots, rock and soul, the Deluge’s unique sound captures the essence of many musical styles. Their song “Strange World,” won best R&B song of 2010 from the international John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
The festival will then welcome back The Danberrys, who are scheduled to perform from 1 – 3 p.m. Their folk/bluegrass/Americana musicianship had attendees at the 2012 arts festival spellbound and wanting more.
Sweet Claudette’s, who will play from 3 – 5 p.m. have a captivating sound that is powered by 4- and 6-part harmonies, Motown-inspired backup vocals and an unusual combo of acoustic instruments: cello, banjo, melodica and guitar.
Music for the Saluda Arts Festival is funded by the Polk County Community Foundation’s Saluda Fund Grant. This grant is a major reason why the Saluda Arts Festival can bring talented musicians to the festival each year.
The Grassroots Project of the NC Art Council supports the festival through a grant each year.
The Dancer’s Extension Spring Concert is planned for 11 a.m. at Saluda Elementary School’s auditorium. Fifty students will perform with eleven numbers in the genres of ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. Admission is free. Three students will be entered into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts immediately following the performance.
Annie Ewing’s group “Ol’ Time Jammers” will be playing in the areas of the artists’ booths throughout the day.
Children will experiment and unlock his or her creativity at the “Children’s Art Tent.” There will be supervised instruction of craft projects, face painting and surprises. Look for the kids under the Shelter in McCreery Park.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of food choices from Saluda Grade Café, Jose Rivera’s Woodfired Pizza or hotdogs sold by the Saluda Women’s Club. All Saluda restaurants will be open and staffed for the increase in visitors.
Parking is available along Main Street, at the Saluda School back parking lot, the Saluda Presbyterian Church on Carolina St., First Baptist Church, Saluda Methodist Church on Greenville St, the West Main Public Parking Lot and the Saluda Fire Department on Greenville St. Shuttle transportation will be available.
Parking for The Dancer’s Extension Spring Concert is behind the school on Seminary Street.
Parking in front of the school on Main Street or along the roadsides on Main Street will be prohibited and cars may be towed from that area.
The festival is sponsored and organized by the Saluda Business Association as a community event to promote the arts in Saluda.
This is a rain or shine and smoke-free event.

–  article submitted
by Cathy Jackson

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