Valle Crucis Folk Art Center to Open In May

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 29, 2004 -- The Valle Crucis Folk Art Center in the North Carolina Mountains will give visitors an opportunity to explore the High Country's rich history of folk arts.

Featured artists at the center can teach, sell, or teach and sell

their crafts, allowing visitors to bring home authentic goods and a

bit of knowledge.



Basically, if we can find a folk artist to teach it, we will offer

it.

The house which houses the Folk Art Center is

considered to be the oldest in Valle Crucis, located across the way

from Mast General Store.



It was also the first house to feature closets and indoor plumbing

in

the community.

The Goldsmith shop will have as on of its featured items will be a handcrafted gold

cross with "Valle Crucis" engraved.



There'll be a variety of all kinds of stuff that'd be in a traditional farmhouse kitchen including items such as sauerkraut and jellies.

A "folk music historian" will be on the premises at all times and a room full of traditional instruments.



Many of the venues will feature workshops or classes, such as a mountain dulcimer workshop with award-winning dulcimer

maker and performer Joe Collins who will also perform a concert at the folk

center's outdoor stage.



"We'll get some picnic tables out there, and We encourage people to

just come out and listen to music,"

A local orchard is considering opening shop in the house's side

building for a "Goodness Grows in North Carolina" apple and cider

outlet. In regards to fresh goods, the center will feature a

Saturday

morning "tailgate market" for local farm products, arts, crafts,

antiques and collectibles.



The grounds are filled with lush greenery, and are suitable for the

center's Heirloom Garden Club, which will grow and develop display

herb gardens, along with transplanting native plants and flowers to

the landscape.

The greenery surrounds a gazebo, ideal for weddings, and adjacent to a pond filled with bass and sunfish. Come October,

visitors can tread through a pumpkin patch.

In December, wreath-makers and Christmas tree growers will plant

their roots at the center, providing seasonal offerings for

visitors.



The primary difference between the Folk Art Center

and other mountain emporiums is that the center will solely sell

homemade, local products�with the exception of a few sundry items in

the gift shop, such as drinks, film, batteries and postcards.

The center is currently seeking folk artists and

crafters "in all mediums" to participate in the galleries or venues,

or to teach classes.



For more information, call 828-262-0006 or 828-729-3606.