Ashe County Arts Council303 School AvenueWest Jefferson, NC 28694No. 187 June – July – August 2017

Publication of the Ashe County Arts Council

ARTS/DATES

STAFF: Jane Lonon, Executive Director; Linda Dreyer, Director of Operations; Rebecca Williams, Program Director; Zaneeta, Resident Mouse-Catcher

Website: www.ashecountyarts.org E-mail: jane@ashecountyarts.org303 School Avenue, West Jefferson, NC 28694

336.846-2787

JUNE2, 16, 23... Back Street Summer Concert, 5:30 pm, BackStreet Park 3... Coffee House Live, 7:30 pm, Hensley Hall, West Jefferson UMC 6, 13, 20, 27... Pickin’ on the Porch, 2-3pm, Mt. Jefferson Presby. Church7-30... “Out of the Blue” exhibit, Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center 8... Ashe County Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild meets, 2pm, ASA8... Shapenotes Singers meet, 7pm, Ashe Arts Center9... Gallery Crawl, 5-8pm, Downtown West Jefferson9... Artists’ reception for “Out of the Blue” exhibit, 5-8pm, Arts Center10... Feast for the Arts Dessert Gala & Silent Auction, 8pm, Arts Center12... Auditions for ACLT’s Church Basement Ladies, 6:30 pm, Arts Center13... Ashe County Arts Council meets, 6:30 pm, Ashe Arts Center17.. Wordkeepers Salon, 4pm, Ashe Arts Center17... Wayne Henderson Festival, Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia21... Friends of the Library meet, 11am, Ashe County Library22-26... Ashe County Little Theatre: Willie Wonka, Ashe Civic Center24... Blue Ridge Art Clan meets, 9:30 am, Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church30... Christmas in July Festival, Downtown West JeffersonJULY1... Christmas in July Festival, Downtown West Jefferson4,11,18,25... Pickin’ on the Porch, 2-3pm, Mt. Jefferson Presby. Church7... Summer Exhibition Celebration, 6-10pm, Turchin Center, Boone7, 21, 28... Back Street Summer Concert, 5:30 pm, BackStreet Park9... Neal Hellman in concert, 4pm, Ashe Arts Center10... Little Theatre quarterly meeting, 5:30 pm, Ashe Arts Center11... Ashe County Arts Council meets, 6:30 pm, Ashe Arts Center12-30... “Music” exhibit, Ashe Arts Center14... Gallery Crawl, 5-8pm, Downtown West Jefferson14... Artists’ reception for “Music” exhibit, 5-8pm, Ashe Arts Center13... Ashe County Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild meets, 2pm, ASA13... Shapenotes Singers meet, 7pm, Ashe Arts Center22... Blue Ridge Art Clan meets, 9:30 am, Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church 22... Rosen Sculpture Walk, 10am, Schaefer Center, Boone22... Hickory Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 pm, Ashe Civic Center 26... Friends of the Library meet, 11am, Ashe County Library27... Ken Kolodner Trio in concert, 7:30 pm, Ashe Arts Center28-29... 48th Annual Bluegrass & Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Ashe Park

AUGUST 1,8,15,22,29.. Pickin’ on the Porch, 2-3pm, Mt. Jefferson Presby. Church 4-6... “Studio Tours” exhibit, Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center4, 18, 25... Back Street Summer Concert, 5:30 pm, BackStreet Park5-6... Ashe County Studio Tour, Ashe County Artists’ studios 8... Ashe County Arts Council meets, 6:30 pm, Ashe Arts Center 9-31... “Through the Camera’s Eye” exhibit, Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center 10... Ashe County Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild meets, 2pm, ASA10... Shapenotes Singers meet, 7pm, Ashe Arts Center11... Gallery Crawl, 5-8pm, Downtown West Jefferson11... Artists’ reception for “Through the Camera’s Eye” exhibit, 5-8pm, The Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center 12... 28th Annual Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride, Ashe Civic Center19... Wordkeepers Salon, 4pm, Ashe Arts Center19... Coffee House Live, 7:30 pm, Hensley Hall, West Jefferson UMC23... Friends of the Library meet, 11am, Ashe County Library24-27... ACLT’s Church Basement Ladies, Ashe Civic Center26... Blue Ridge Art Clan meets, 9:30 am, Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church

There are so many opportunities to experience the arts in the High Country this summer - too many to list! Check out these websites for shows, exhibits, concerts and more!

An Appalachian Summer Festival, Boone: www.appsummer.orgAshe County Farmer’s Market: www.ashefarmersmarket.com

Ashe County Public Library: www.ashelibrary.comBackStreet Park Concert Series: www.visitwestjefferson.org

Barter Theatre, Abingdon: www.bartertheatre.comBlue Ridge Dinner Theater: www.BlueRidgeDinnerTheater.com

Cher Shaffer’s Art workshops: email mountainmojo@skybest.comFlorence Art School: www.FlorenceArtSchool.org

LMC Summer Theatre, Banner Elk: www.lmc.edu/web/SummerTheatre/Mountain Home Music, Boone: www.mountainhomemusic.com

The Paramount Center, Bristol: www.paramountbristol.orgPhipps Store Friday Night Jams: www.blueridgemusic.orgThe River House, Grassy Creek: www.RiverHouseNC.com

Todd Summer Music Series: www.ToddNC.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT # 3609CHARLOTTE NC

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!You asked for earlier opportunities to purchase your tickets and we listened! Tickets for all events includ-

ed in ARTS/DATES, go on sale the first month of each issue. For example, this issue covers concerts June through August, and you can call NOW to get

those favorite seats! 336.846-2787

The Arts Council’s favorite fun-raiser culminates Saturday, June 10th with the FEAST for the Arts annual Dessert Gala and Silent Auction. The festivities take place at the Ashe Arts Center begin-ning at 8pm.

A sumptuous selection of desserts and beverages has been donated by some of the High Country’s leading restau-rants and cater-ers. A silent auc-tion holds an array of handcrafted items including quilts, a painting from Susan Dahlin, a pet portrait by Jayne Braxton, accommo-dations for a week in Provence, France, chef’s dinners, and lots, lots more. A Feast for the Arts Dessert Gala is a festive time of raising funds to support arts programming for the community and schools.

Tickets for the Gala are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Please call the Arts Council at 336.846-ARTS for tickets or more information.

A Feast for the Arts

Coca-Cola by Susan Dahlin

Pet Portrait by Jayne BraxtonNORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL CELEBRATES

50 YEARS!For 50 years, the North Carolina

Arts Council has worked to achieve the conviction upon which it was founded: arts for all citizens. Since its beginning in 1967, the impact

on local communities and especially the Ashe County Arts

Council has been significant.We salute you! We thank you!

We celebrate with you! Happy Anniversary to the

North Carolina Arts Council!

JUNE

Reserved Seat Tickets Available at the Ashe Arts Center – Call (336) 846-2787

ASHE CIVIC CENTERJune 22–26, 2017

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday 7:30 pm • Sunday 2:00 pm

Adults: $18 Students: $5

Ashe County Little Theatrepresents

OUT OF THE BLUEFive talented visual artists from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Beth Andrews, Marion Cloaninger, Marsha Holmes, Susan Marlowe, and Norma Suddreth come together for an exhibition of work at the Ashe Arts Center from June 7 through July 8.

Out of the Blue features new work as they share their love, appreciation, and joy of living in the Blue Ridge region. This is expressed in their art. The artists are diverse in their creative approaches; from the literal to the whimsical, their art includes images of the disappearing mountain lifestyle, beautiful visions of the land and cul-ture, vivid contemporary mixed media pieces, and playful

and joyous celebrations of life. The work offers a shared experience of what it means to be a woman artist in the 21st century.

An opening reception at the Ashe Arts Center will be held from 5 – 8 pm Friday evening, June 9 in con-junction with the first Gallery Crawl of the season. Out of the Blue runs through July 8.

FUND DRIVEThe Ashe County Arts Council exists to enrich the cultural life of Ashe County by nurturing and supporting the arts.

Your contribution is an investment in the future of your community. Our 2016-2017 Fund Drive continues with lots of community support. The Ashe County Arts Council is grateful to the business and individual contributors who make our

programs possible. These donations were made between November 14, 2016 and May 13, 2017.THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

ANGEL $2500-4999Anonymous

SPECIAL $1000-2499AnonymousJulia BishopTimothy M. Rector, DDS, PAJanet Warner

SPONSOR $600-999Chip & Judy AndersonEdmund & Betsy GantBarbara & Mike Gardner

BENEFACTOR $400-599Pearl AshleyMimi & Pete BrandtDoyle & Mary Jane BrownJohn & Mary CannonTom & Sue DavisJoy Dove, In Memory of Walter “Red” DoveMannon EldrethHoliday Inn ExpressHudler Tree FarmsRoy & Irby HutchinsDonnie & Dana JohnsonChris & Anne JonesKent & Becky MarstenCalvin & Katrina MillerWiley & Carolyn MockJim & Judy MullicanKeith & Sara ReevesGaylord & Ann Snyder

PATRON $300-399AnonymousPat Considine & Alice AtwoodMike & Rhonda HermanMast General StorePerry’s Gold MineTerry & Guyla Vardell

FRIEND $50-299AnonymousJack Apple & Michelle HandlerJane BanksBill & Laura BarrierPete & Judy BendaJim & Jane BlackburnBlue Ridge Art ClanAndy Brawn & Nancy Tusa, In Memory of Wallace HannumDouglas ButlerJoan ByrdJoy CampbellMarion Cloaninger

FRIEND $50-299 ContinuedArt & Ruth CollinsJudy CookLon & Carol CoulterDonald & Carol DayEdd & Betsy DickensBob & Janet EdsellCharles & Pat EldridgeRobbie Franklin & Cheryl RobertsTed & Billie GoodmanJames & Laura GreenKaren GrossMark Guenther, In Memory of Tony Testerman for JAM Andy & Pam GuionMark & Lu HagelEvalynn HalseyCharles HammEd & Annabel HarrillVernon & Pat HartmanJoan HornerThe Hotel Tavern Pattie & Earl HuffmanClyde & Eva IngleJoyce JonesJim & Jennifer JudsonNancy KautzCraig & Carol KennedyPegge LaineJim & Julia MathewsDick & Betty McPhatterBelva MillerDick & Barbara MillerNoel MillerMiller’s CampingMike & Vickie MinceyKenneth MoorePat MorrisonVaughn & Beth MorrisonMountain Aire Golf ClubPatricia NashMichele ObenchainOmni FarmsBarney & Marion O’QuinnAndy & Bunny O’SullivanPam PellegrinoPendle AlpacasAlda Perkins EstateJames & Donia Rash, In Memory of Tony Testerman for JAMRDR KennelsPhil & Karen ReaJohn & Nancy ReevesDonald & Bonita ScottBill & Judy ScurryBetsey SeslerKeith & Beverly Shaver

FRIEND $50-299 ContinuedDavid SheetsWalt & Carol SkrochLinda D. SmithJim & Pat TaylorJoe & Tammy ThoreTom Truxal & Susan JespersenDan & Sue WallPenny Harless WardJohn & Audrey WasnerLisa WillinghamJayne WingMichael WiseGary & Carolyn Wolfe

DONOR $10-49AnonymousMichael AdamsMillie BarbeeDavid & Annette BrinsonDouglas & Sharon Campbell, In Memory of Tony Testerman for JAM Terry & Donna Edsel, In Memory of Tony Testerman for JAM Virginia FoxxJennifer GlassJohn & Claudia GreeneJennie HallseyDavid & Sherry HoffmanLibby HoffmanBetty HoljesMike & Susan KopackaCathy McKenzieJake & Lori Mercer, In Memory of Tony Testerman for JAMMarianne PairDebra PattersonLarry & Linda RousseauCarol SchmidtLinda ShumateJody SloanKaty TaylorCharles & Ellen VitaleDon Willey & Charlotte BlakeDoug & Linda Worsham

The Gallery & Gallery Shop303 School Avenue

Downtown West JeffersonMonday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

COFFEE HOUSE LIVE!Saturday, June 3, 2017

7:30 pmHensley Hall at West Jefferson United Methodist Church

Enjoy an evening of great Arts Council desserts, coffee and beverages, along with the best in High Country entertainment!

Aubreana Lovell and FriendsLocal young singer, songwriter and guitarist performing a blend of classic country and bluegrass gospel alongside musicians who have

played together for 40 years

Henry Doss and the Turning PointHenry Doss, singer-songwriter, teams up with Richard Edmondson, Randy Revis and Ken Brashear, performing “unplugged” versions

of several acoustic-rock songs

Wolfe Bros String BandJerry Correll, Dale Morris, Casey Hash and Donna Correll from

Grayson County, VA playing and singing traditional old-time music

Arvill Scott, your emcee for the evening

Admission at the door: $12 adults, $5 students.For more information, call 336.846-ARTS.

Please take this opportunity to contribute to the Ashe County Arts Council.Name Phone Address Amount Pledged Payment Enclosed Send your tax-deductible contribution to 303 School Avenue, West Jefferson, NC 28694. ONLINE DONATIONS may be made at www.ashecountyarts.org

o Donor $10-49o Friend $50-249o Patron $250-349o Benefactor $350-599o Sponsor $600-999o Special $1000-2499o Angel $2500-4999o Archangel $5000-up!

MUSICMusic makes the world go ‘round, it’s the universal language. Can music inspire art or does art in-spire music? Artists from the High Country region were invited to use their favorite medium to create new works that reflect the theme of Music.

The exhibit opens with a reception from 5-8pm on Friday eve-ning, July 14th with the Gallery Crawl. Participating artists in-clude Joan Bell, Doug Butler, Dale Carlson, Tatyana Dyakonova, Evalynn Halsey, Adam Kahn, Aviva Kahn, Christina Keaton, John and Jane Maddocks, Judy Mitchell, Pat Morrison, John Peterson, Scot Pope, Betty Rembert, Patrick Richardson, Milt Sigel, Linda Dease Smith, Bud Snotherly, LaMae Strange, Susan Van Wyk, Carolyn Weckstrom, Cheryl Young, and others. Music includes paintings, photography, fibers, works in clay, and handmade instruments; it will be on display in the Gallery from July 12 – August 6.

Musicians by Susan Van Wyk

ON THE SAME PAGE LITERARY FESTIVAL Mark your calendars now for the 10th annual Literary Festival celebrating

reading and writing September 12-16, 2017!

Author readings… workshops …discussion groups … theatre …

Ten favorite authors from past festivals have agreed to return to West Jefferson for this special anniversary event. Joseph Bathanti! Elliot Engel! Georgann Eubanks! Tim Gautreaux! Philip Gerard! John Hart! Bob Inman!

Jill McCorkle! DG Martin! Edward Kelsey Moore!

Stay tuned! Watch the website, www.onthesamepagefestival.org, follow On the Same Page on Facebook, and see further announcements in your local newspaper. Sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and the

Ashe Public Library. Call 336.846-2787 for schedule and information.

FESTIVAL READ SELECTION ANNOUNCED! On the Same Page Literary Festival celebrates reading, and each year a book selection is chosen to spark discussion and dialogue in the community. The Festival Read kick-off gets things underway in early August with this year’s book, The Underground Railroad.

Underground Railroad is a masterpiece. Winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, the book is a literal ride on a mythical railroad system. At times brutal, but also beautiful in its scope, Underground Railroad challenges each of us to imagine an era in our shared history in new ways. It is a story told in a completely original and authentic way.

Copies of this year’s selection by author Colson Whitehead will be available to check out at the Library and for purchase at the Ashe Arts Center. The 2017 On the Same Page Festival Read is a gem, an important book, and a must read!

NEAL HELLMAN: Mountain Dulcimer Concert

Neal Hellman, nationally ac-claimed performer and teacher of the mountain dulcimer, has been active in performing, writing, teaching, and recording acous-tic music for more than 25 years throughout the United States, Eu-rope and New Zealand. Neal Hellman will be in concert at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson Sunday afternoon, July 9 at 4pm. Tickets are $14 for adults and $5 for students.

Neal’s original compositions, his selections of traditional tunes, and his ability to connect with his audience members all come together to make for an intimate, thoroughly enjoyable evening of music. Call 336.846-2787 for reservations and tickets.

The seventeenth season of GALLERY CRAWLS takes place on the second Friday of the month from June through October. Mark June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, and December 1 on your calendars for continued oppor-tunities to see new, creative, innovative works by Ashe County’s leading artists.Extended gallery hours are from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at galleries, studios and craft shops in downtown West Jefferson.

The ARTS DISTRICT is the place to find paintings, photography, pottery, stained glass, quilts and fiber arts, weavings, furniture, toys, jewelry, wood-turned products, and lots of other handcrafted items. Restaurants and other downtown shops will be open during the CRAWL. The Crawl is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council in cooperation with the West Jefferson Business Association, the West Jefferson TDA, and is fund-ed, in part, through a Grassroots Arts Program Grant of the North Carolina Arts Council. For more information, call the participating galleries or the Arts Center at 336.846-2787.

Music… Refreshments… Maps… Free!5 – 8pm • Downtown West Jefferson

Promoting West Jefferson’s Arts District

Participating galleriesAcorn Gallery

Ashe Arts CenterAshe Custom Framing & Gallery

Backstreet Beads and Handcrafted JewelryBohemia Gallery

Catch Light GalleryCher Shaffer Studio GalleryFlorence Thomas Art School

Foxfire Holler Fiber Art Gallery Frenchy’s Art Gallery

Great Southern Gothic Love for the Mountains Store and

The Vintage LocketOriginals Only Gallery

Quilt Square Girls RT Morgan Gallery and Glass by Camille

Shoemaker Studio West Jefferson Coffee Shop

ON THE SAME PAGE LITERARY FESTIVAL WRITER’S COMPETITION

Ashe County’s Literary Festival, ON THE SAME PAGE, takes place September 12-16. The sixth Writer’s Competition will rec-ognize one writer this year with a Page Crafters Prize of $500.

The prize will be awarded in any genre: fiction, nonfiction or poetry. Works must be previously unpublished and there is a $10 non-refundable entry fee per submission. All entries must be centered on the 2017 theme, Red Letter Day. Deadline for receipt of entries is July 21, 2017, on-line submissions are accepted.

The winner will be notified no later than August 31, 2017. The winner will also be offered the opportunity to read their winning work at the Festival’s TELLING STORIES LIVE event on Friday, September 15, at the Ashe Arts Center. And, they will be invited to attend the 10th Anniversary Page Turners Kick-Off Reception on Tuesday evening, September 12.

On the Same Page Literary Festival encourages and acknowledges emerging writers. Complete guidelines may be found at www.onthesamepagefestival.org or contact the Ashe County Arts Council at 336.846-ARTS.

JULY

CHRISTMAS IN JULY FESTIVALThe 31st annu-al Christmas in July Festival returns to the “Backstreet” of down-town West Jefferson Saturday, July 1. Featuring handcrafted, original arts and crafts, the best in local music and dance, Non-Profit Row, Christmas Trees, and great food, the Festival runs from 9am until 7pm.

The festivities kick off at 3:00 pm Friday afternoon, June 30 with music and a street dance. Performers through-out the weekend include the Buck Haggard Band, Amantha Mill, Jeff Little and Friends, Crooked Road Ramblers, and Claybank. Food vendors will be serving up your festival food favorites from 5 – 10pm.

Enjoy the celebration of our mountain heritage with Christmas in July! Check out the full schedule of events at www.christmasinjuly.info.

HICKORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The big band sound is coming to the Ashe Civic Center on Saturday, July 22 with the Hickory Jazz Orchestra. Concert time is 7:30 and seat-ing is reserved. This 16-piece group based in Catawba County includes a full complement of instruments including trumpets, trombones, saxophones, piano, bass, drums, and a vocalist. Relive the great sounds of the 40’s and the era of jazz music. Tickets are $22 for adults and $5 for students. Reserve your seat over the phone with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Call 336.846-2787 for tickets or additional information.

REGIONAL ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR ARTISTS

The Regional Artist Project of Northwest North Carolina (RAPNNC) announces the availability of funds to offer grants to artists living in Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga and Wilkes counties. The project supports a broad range of talented artists including visual, performing, literary and interdisciplinary art. Eligible candidates may be either emerging or established artists, and funds may be used to pursue projects that will further their artistic development.

The RAPNNC is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency. Seven awards were granted in 2016-2017. Deadline for the 2017-2018 award cycle is September 8, 2017. Application and guide-lines may be obtained by calling 336.846-2787 or at www.ashecountyarts.org.

Thanks to all of our hard working committee members, our movers and shakers and folks who do things for us on a daily basis. Thank you from the Arts Council!

Chris Arvidson and Henry Doss, Tab and Eileen Bell, Berkeley Brown, Jody Cheek, Kathy Chefas, David Chiswell, Kelly Clampitt, Joshua Czuczuka, Jane and Walt Davis, Amber Dillingham, Nancy and Keri Lu Drew, Linda and Jeff Dreyer, Lynne and Dave Eastburn, Melissa and Richard Edmondson, Tom Fowler, Jan Gambill, Jill Gambill, Aila Givins, Jennifer Glass, Elaine Graham, Natalia Gregory, Katherine Greene, Shane Greene, Connie Hardison, Kathy Howell, Kim Isler, Carolyn Johnson, Diane and Wayne Johnson, Dana and Donnie Johnson, Sharon Kasel, Lynn Keister, Elizabeth Lauer, Callie Lewis, Grady Lonon, John MacConnell, John and Jane Maddocks, Becky Marsten, Susan Meredith, Vicki Mincey, Barbara Miller, Judy and Sandy Mitchell, Barb Naser, Gerry Patterson, Owen Peeler, Allyson Perlman, Ellie and Ed Perzel, Susan Powers, Barbara Sears, Jorena Sparks, Lucy and John Smyre, Pam Tapp, Susan Turman, Della Vodenicker, June Weaver, Jim Williams, Jo Wohlfeld, Drew and Matthew Yount.

Spring Fest Student Volunteers: Michael Anthony, Adriane Barr, Ashley Barr, Mekenzie Brown, Salem Brown, Lily Calhoun, Phillip Cochrane, Anna Corley, Angel Day, Marley Eller, Tyler Eller, Gianna Federico, Kaylie Fernandez, Mollie Fordham, Rose Fuller, Haley Gambill, Gracie Greene, Nigel Greer, Caroline Hamm, Erin Hardin, Amber Hicks, Chris Holman, Maddy Houck, Kaitlyn Jordan, Brooke Jones, Elisha Little, Ellie McCorkle, Kelsi McKiddy, Samantha McNeil, Kelsey McVey, Ben Osborne, Brooke Rutherford, Amy Patrick, Melissa Ramos, Celeste Ramseur, Taley Dunnagon, Chelsea Roop, David Roten, Jacob Schell, Allison Sharp, Molly Shelton, Chloe Sullivan, Emma Shepherd, Sam Tsolis, Angel Turnmire, Bethany Wilson, Bailey Witherspoon

COFFEE HOUSE LIVE!It’s Coffee House Live time on August 19! Everyone’s favorite evening of local enter-tainment, food and fun will be held in the West Jefferson Methodist Church Hensley

Hall beginning at 7:30 pm.

Featured entertainers include Laurelyn Dossett, singer, songwriter, guitarist extraordinaire

In Harmony, a folk-rock duo blending guitar and vocal harmonies by Scot Pope and Nan Zoppi

The Dave Braun Band, intimate and lively guitar, piano and vocals bringing a taste of the 50’s, and sam-

pling of Staci Braun’s new album Blanket of Melancholy

Helen White and Kay Justice, old-time duet singing

Coffee, tea, soft drinks and the Arts Council’s famous desserts will complement the evening. Join the Arts

Council for a night of entertainment and fun you won’t forget!

For more information, call 336.846-2787.

WORDKEEPERS Wordkeepers, an afternoon salon featuring writ-ers reading their latest prose and poetry will be held at the Ashe Arts Center on Saturday, June 17 and August 19 beginning at 4pm. Five-minute open microphone time slots are available; spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing Chris Arvidson at chris@chrisarvidson.com. Wordkeepers was begun in 2010 by local writers Arvidson, Scot Pope and Julie Townsend to encourage the creation of new work and to provide an appreciative audience for the writ-er. Wordkeepers is free and open to the public. Refreshments are provided.

THROUGH THE CAMERA’S EYEThe August exhibit in The Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center will be devoted solely to the art of photogra-phy. Photographic enthusiasts from Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties will show their true imaginative expression of fine art photography in the bright lights and warm atmosphere of the Ashe Arts Center. Artists include Mike Acquesta, Catherine Altice, Joe Blevins, Doug Butler, Dale Carlson, Kelly Clampitt, Pat Considine, Kim Hadley, Stephan Hill, George Kosinski, Jim Magruder, Christine McCarty, Rex Miller, Scot Pope, Betty Rembert, Gary Rolband, Martin Seelig, Carolyn Weckstrom, Joshua White, Jay Wild, and members of the Ashe Camera Club.

Subject matter will range from local scenes to those from all corners of the earth focusing on diversity of subject and place, with creativity and quality execution being the unifying theme.

Through the Camera’s Eye opens August 9 and continues through September 2. The artist reception will be held from 5 – 8pm on Friday, August 11 in conjunction with the second Friday Gallery Crawl.

THE KEN AND BRAD KOLODNER TRIO An evening of traditional music is on tap in the Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27. Ken and Brad Kolodner will be joined by bass player Alex Lacquement.

The dynamic father-son duo, Ken & Brad Kolodner, weave together a captivat-ing soundscape on hammered dulcimer, banjo, gourd banjo, banjola, hammered mbira, fiddles, and vocals pushing the boundaries of the Old-Time tradition into uncharted territory. Alex Lacquement performs with Charm City Junction and with The Bumper Jacksons Bands. The Swift House, a new CD just released for this tour, melds Ken and Brad’s passions for Old-Time music and traditionally-inspired original music. They infuse their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful and unique interpretations of fiddle tunes and songs. Admission is $14 for adults, $5 for students. Call for reservations, 336.846-2787, and don’t miss this evening of outstanding music!

JULY

Rough Ridge by Kim Hadley

FIDDLERS CONVENTION There’s lots of excitement building for the 48th annual Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention! The Fiddlers Convention will take place July 28-29 at Ashe County Park. Camping opens at 4pm on Thursday the 27th. The event is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. Traditional music lovers and performers will gather at the Park for two days of music and dancing with individual and band competitions in youth and adult cat-egories; prize money totals $4350. Dale Morris is the Emcee for the event. The

2017 Judges are Butch Barker, Herb Key, and Randy Sheets. Friday night will feature an old fashioned Appalachian Barn Dance with the White Top Mountain Band and John Turner as the dance caller. Jam sessions will take place throughout the Park on Friday and Saturday. Visit craft vendors and the new luthier’s tent area; check out the displays from the Museum of Ashe County History and the Farm Life Museum. WKSK’s Old Time and Bluegrass Radio Show with Gary Poe will broadcast live from a stage at Ashe Park “a little after 11” on Saturday to kick off the competitions. Strictly Strings Band will be the featured performer and the youth competitions begin at 11am. Meal concessions on Saturday will be provided by the Todd Ruritan Club. Admission to the Fiddlers Convention is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday. Proceeds from the Fiddlers Convention support the Ashe County Junior Ap-palachian Musicians (JAM) Program providing instruction in guitar, banjo and fiddle for students in grades 4-6.

THANKS TO OUR 2017 STAGE SPONSORS!

August 24, 25, 26 - 7:30 pmAugust 27 - 2:00 pm

Smash musical comedy hit

Ashe County Little Theatre

presents

Adults: $16 Students: $5

For ticketsCall (336) 846-2787

AUDITIONSJune 12, 6:30 pmAshe Arts Center

KEEPING UP WITH THE ARTS COUNCILAre you receiving the weekly Arts Council e-mails? Do you want an easy way to keep up with what’s going on in the arts? While our quarterly newsletter is a great overview of programs being presented, weekly e-blasts alert you to any changes, updates, and new information about upcoming programs. Give us a call or email us to have your information added to our growing list of contacts.Follow the Ashe County Art Council on Facebook for quick updates. Please “like” us!

STUDIO TOUR ARTIST EXHIBIT The popular Studio Tour Artist Exhibit returns to the Ashe Arts Center. An exhibit of work by the twenty-seven participating artists will give viewers a sneak peek at what they will find in the studios during the Tour. Paintings, photography, pottery, quilt-ing, rug hooking, barn quilts, fiber arts, sculpture, botanical collage, and more will await you.

The exhibit runs from August 3 - 6. The kick-off Studio Tour reception will be held from 5 – 7pm on Friday evening, August 4. Enjoy refreshments, see incredible artwork, and meet all the artists!

STUDIO TOUR Ashe County’s Studio Tour returns for two days of open artist studios! Twenty-seven visual artists throughout Ashe County will be opening their studios to visitors on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6 for a close up look at the creative process. Studio Tour hours are from 10am – 6pm on Saturday and from noon – 5pm on Sunday.

Maps and driving directions will be available after June 15th on the website, www.ashe-countyarts.org or at the Ashe Arts Center, headquarters for the Tour. Studio Tour is free!