July 14, 2010 - Local Artists & Craftsmen selected for Butternut Creek Festival in Blairsville, Georgia

Twenty local Union County artists and craftsmen have been selected to participate in the 12th Annual Butternut Creek Festival in Blairsville, Georgia on July 24-25, 2010. These talented artists have made it through a highly selective, juried competition that results in only the best of the best being chosen. Congratulations to these twenty local artists and craftspeople!

Larry Akins was selected for his fine knives and his photography, while John Allrid's toys and woodcrafts were judged among the best. The unique musical instrument creations of Paul and Susan Bergstrom should delight all visitors at the Festival. Barbara Cone and Carol Demme are two of the excellent fine painters selected and their styles and subject matter are very different. Ellen Gerber's works in scrimshaw, as well as her fine paintings, exhibit an unbelievable attention to details.

Gene Harrison continues to explore the world of stained glass with his unique leaded glass pieces. Linda Karmgard and her sister, Madeline Scoda, join forces in creating a wide variety of beautiful, as well as utilitarian, purses and totes. Some of Linda's jewelry will also be on display. Karen and Francis Moates will be exhibiting both their unusual fused glass creations and wonderful wood turnings. Phyllis and Sam Reina will have some of the most unusual works of pinecone art and other wood creations.

The decorative art creations of Emmett and Joan Roach are sure to add interest and variety to the show. Richard Saberton will again be displaying his wide variety of fine crafted handmade wire-wrapped jewelry. Master scroll-saw artist Robert Snow will delight everyone with the intricate details of his pieces. Magnificent digital photographs will be the highlights of Marcia Stewart booth. Mark Wingertsahn's whimsical clay birdhouses, as well as his functional pottery, are creations of beauty and add a unique touch to the festival.

Four community service booths will be at the 2010 Butternut Creek Festival. Remember to show support by purchasing a homemade goodie or raffle ticket! Community service booths include an annual bake sale by the Union Hospital Auxiliary, quilting demo by the Misty Mountain Quilt Guild, quilt raffle by the Friends of the Union County Library, and the Union County Senior Center Art Class.

12th annual Butternut Creek Festival

Butternut Creek Festival 2010 best yet

The 12th annual Butternut Creek Festival was the best yet. A great location, friendly vendors, hardworking volunteers, and beautiful artwork make Butternut one of the best festivals in the southeast.

Union County 's Butternut Creek Festival is well known throughout the region as a great destination. Quality craftsmanship is always the focus of Butternut Creek Festival but the shady park is an added bonus. Top artists and craftsmen display their wares in Meeks Park along side Butternut Creek.

Not only has the Butternut Creek Festival been named a "Top 20 Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society for two years in a row, it is also well known as great place to do a show. Vendors say the people are friendly, security is excellent, the food is delicious, the music sets a perfect mood, and Blairsville is a great little town to visit. This is from seasoned vendors (and these folks do a lot of traveling).

The organizers of the event, High Country Artisans, Inc., do a great job of choosing a varied selection of art and craft vendors (only 65 are selected each year). Show Chairman Mike Smith says, "As popularity of the festival grows, so does the number of applicants. We could let hundreds into the show, but we don't." Mike went on to explain that too many vendors make it harder for the artists and craftsmen to make a profit. Limiting the number of accepted applicants insures that each exhibitor has a good chance of doing well during the two day event.

The Butternut Creek Festival is a true team effort. The High Country Artisans work hard throughout the year to make sure the two day event is a success. Everything from public relations to booth logistics and booking entertainment is accomplished entirely by the dedicated volunteers.

The High Country Artisans, Inc. would like to extend a special thanks to Commissioner Lamar Paris and the Union County Recreation Department. Without them the Butternut Creek Festival would not be possible.

Thanks also to the artists, craftsmen, sponsors, entertainers, food vendors, and visitors for helping make the entire event a fun, safe, and entertaining weekend. High Country Artisans, Inc is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Butternut Creek Festival 2009

The 11th annual Butternut Creek Festival was a success for vendors and the community. Not just in numbers of visitors and amount of sales, but also in the variety of quality artwork available. Perfect weather (with below normal temperatures for July) also added an extra special atmosphere to the event this year. People were energetically carrying out armloads of purchases including everything from flying metal pigs to fine art landscapes.

Union County 's Butternut Creek Festival is becoming well known throughout the southeast as a great destination. Automobile tags in the main Meeks Park parking lot revealed cars from as far away as New York and Illinois . A visitor from Atlanta said, "We have been coming for five years now and it gets better every year. I always buy a piece of pottery - that's what I collect."

Quality craftsmanship is always the norm at Butternut Creek Festival, but this year standards went up a notch. Top artists and craftsmen are now vying for a spot along Butternut Creek. Not only has the Butternut Creek Festival been named a "Top 20 Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society, it is also becoming known as great place to do a show. Vendors say the people are friendly, security is top notch, the food is delicious, the music is just right, and Blairsville is one of their favorite towns to visit. This is from seasoned vendors (and these folks do a lot of traveling).

The organizers of the event, High Country Artisans, Inc. do a great job of choosing a rounded selection of art and craft vendors (only a limited number are selected each year). Show Chairman Mike Smith says, "As popularity of the festival grows, so does the number of applicants. It gets harder and harder to juror each year."

The Butternut Creek Festival is a true team effort. With only twenty members, the High Country Artisans work hard throughout the year to make sure the two day event is a success. Everything from public relations to booth logistics to booking entertainment is accomplished entirely by these 20 dedicated volunteers.

Thanks also to the High County Artisans, the artists, craftsmen, sponsors, entertainers, food vendors, and visitors for helping make the entire event a fun, safe, and entertaining weekend. High Country Artisans, Inc is a not-for-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Annual Butternut Creek Festival Showcases Fine Arts and Crafts

The recent Annual Butternut Creek Festival in Meeks Park was a huge success. The festival showcased many fine artists and craftsmen. Sponsored by the High Country Artisans, the two-day event was well attended and most visitors purchased at least one handcrafted item.

Paintings, pottery, jewelry, baskets, furniture, photography, quilts and sculptures were for sale. There were exhibits and demonstrations throughout the event.

English basket maker, Terry Porter demonstrated his craft by making beautiful large baskets. He keeps the reeds soaking in water to keep them pliable and soft. Gene Harrison demonstrated the art of making leaded glass. His work is detailed and colorful. Jim Watts pleased everyone with his handcrafted oak rockers. Many visitors rested a while then bought a chair to take home. Local artist, Carol Moore Demme displayed her large animal portraits. The life-like paintings are full of intense expression. Chinese artist, Godwin Kou, demonstrated his calligraphy skills. Long lines of people waited for their names to be written in Chinese. His booth was very popular. Local photographer Marcia Stewart had an impressive display of her digital photos including shots of local fauna and flora. She says, "Photography is my passion." Her photographs are works of art.

Approximately sixty artists had their work in booths located along the shady banks of Butternut Creek. Visitors enjoyed good food and music. Many people relaxed and listened to the live bands. The Marshall Platt band, from the Franklin/Ashville area, was exceptional. They had the audience tapping their toes.

The festival featured some of the finest arts and crafts in the southeast. Artists and craftsmen from Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee gathered for the weekend. Visitors, artists, and vendors are already looking forward to next year's Butternut Creek Festival.