Earlier this month the quiet of February was pleasantly disrupted by over one hundred first graders from a local elementary school.  Working with the education committee, Deb Schillo organized a craft demonstration field trip to the Folk Art Center. 

Over the course of three days groups of students rotated through craft stations that included weaving with paper and yarn, broom making, hand building with clay, and yarn weaving a traditional "God's Eye" ornament.  I overheard teachers and students saying this was the best field trip they had ever been on!  It was inspiring the see the children's enthusiasm and attentiveness with their craft projects.  We are grateful to all the cooperative students, school teachers, Guild staff, volunteers, and craft educators who made it successful.  If you are interested in learning more about craft education at the Folk Art Center contact Deb Schillo:  828-298-7928.  

 Diana Gates of Friendswood Brooms gives students some hands-on learning about broom making

 Resident artists from Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts helped the kids with a coil-built pot.

 Carla and Greg Filippelli of Cranberry Creek showed the kids a yarn weaving technique.

 

 After learning a little about weaving on a loom the students had the opportunity to weave on their own loom.  Barbara Miller and Teena Tuenge worked with the kids at this station.

Mary Nichols showed the kids how she spins on a spinning wheel.

   

Come to the Folk Art Center to see the debut of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s expanded retail space, Allanstand Interiors, on the second floor beside the Main Gallery.  Studio furniture alongside art and sculpture for the home will be featured in a variety of media including wood, metal, fiber, glass and mixed media. 

Combining an innovative mix of traditional and contemporary, Guild curator Nikki Josheff has selected work by SHCG members for the new space.  Allanstand Interiors will specialize in larger scale, one-of-a-kind pieces, which customers usually can only see in artist studios or at the Craft Fair.  The Guild is excited about this additional opportunity to connect collectors with fine craft and home furnishings.  SHCG artists selected to open the space include:  Hayley Davison, Brian Fireman, Michael Maxwell, Desmond Suarez, John Wesley Williams, Derek Hennigar, Brian Wurst, Chery Cratty, Greg Magruder, John Gunther, and Kathie Roig.  The work featured will rotate throughout the year.

 (work shown: John Gunther, K4 Glassart, John Wesley Williams)

 (work shown:  Edward Bordett, Michael Maxwell)

 (work shown: Derek Hennigar, Edward Bordett)

(work shown: Desmond Suarez, Chery Cratty)

 

 (work shown: Hayley Davison, John Gunther, Kathie Roig, K4 Glassart)

(work shown: Brian Wurst, Edward Bordett)