Area businesses and a world-famous fiddle champion are jumping on the bandwagon with Art Trek 2014.
Local restaurants are offering exclusive discounts and menu selections to those with an Art Trek map and fiddle legend Jamie Laval will offer a special musical performance during the weekend of June 28-29.
The fun begins with a free preview party at the gallery, Friday June 27, 5-7:30 p.m. and continues with an Open Road Coffee-sponsored kick-off breakfast at the Upstairs Artspace at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 before the studio tours begin at 10 a.m.
Trekkers can stop by the gallery at 49 S.Trade Street in Tryon for Open Road fresh-roasted coffee and organic berry scones, pick up free maps and directions to 24 local artists studios and participating businesses, and view the exhibit of work by the Art Trek artists.
There will also be a concurrent silent auction exhibit with bidding beginning on the 27th and ending at the closing party on July 25.
Following their maps, trekkers will find not only fine art and craft, including painting, sculpture, pottery, woodcarving, fiber art and metalsmithing, but weekend specials at Tryon’s Lavender Bistro, Open Road Coffee, O’Duggan’s Coffee Pub and Ice Cream Emporium and Green River BBQ in Saluda.
Mary & Morris owner Mary Prioleau is extending her Art Trek sale, promising a discount on any purchase, excluding barware, to anyone with an Art Trek map during the week June 28-July 5 so that participating artists can also take advantage of the sale.
Mary & Morris will also be celebrating a new location on Pacolet Street, across from the Tryon Post Office, the former location of O’Duggan’s Coffee Pub and Ice Cream Emporium, now located at Mary & Morris’s old location at 163 N. Trade Street.
So, after lunch at Green River BBQ and a tour of Saluda artists’ studios, come down the mountain for ice cream and shopping.
Once the sun begins to set, trekkers can enjoy discussion of the afternoon’s sights and bargains over a special Prix Fixe dinner at Lavender Bistro followed by “Celtic Music and Stories” at 7:30 p.m. with Laval, the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion.
The latter will be held at the historic stone cottage, 15 Chestnut Street and is Saturday night only.
Reservations are recommended for both dinner and the concert. Lavender Bistro: 828-440-114
0.  Tickets for Jamie Laval can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Art Trek 2014 is presented by the Upstairs Artspace, a non-profit art gallery whose mission is to develop an understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and craft forms through exhibits, programs and educational activities that enrich the cultural life of the region.
For more information about Art Trek 2014 and the participating artists: 828-859-2828 or www.upstairsartspace.org.

– article submitted
by Clare O’Sheel