Fall Arts Festival Sept. 23 in Swan Quarter

MATTIE Arts Center will celebrate fall at the annual fundraising Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23^, in Swan Quarter.

Central to this day of fun, food, live music and outdoor activities will be an invitational art show with such artists of distinction as copper basket sculptor Judith Saunders of Norfolk and Ocracoke (front cover, National Basketry Organization Magazine, Dec. 2016); impressionist oil painter Mark Hierholzer of Richmond (“Best Arts Teacher for Adults,” Richmond Magazine, 2017); Mike Lane of Virginia Beach with his Asia ink and watercolors; and Chip Shakelford of Bath with blown glass.

Local artists attending are Elizabeth Gurganus of Swan Quarter with her original designs from textiles; Carolyn Sleeper and Maureen Davis from Washington, specialists in ceramics and raku pottery respectively; Ron McCall from Hertford with his wood turnings; card-maker Anita Price of Bath; Cathy Windley of Belhaven with her silver jewelry; and from Wake Forest, Nathan Forrest, Richard Cardell, and David Faircloth with paintings and wildlife carvings;

More artwork will be featured inside the MATTIE’s Gallery.

This year also marks Phase I of our downtown arts project, “Paint that Wall,” where the public is invited to paint a mural designed by Cathy Clayton of Ponzer on the solid fencing surrounding Pat’s Exxon. All tools and supplies are furnished. 

A variety of adult and kids activities are on tap in the shaded public park around the gazebo, including kids’ arts, casting contests (rods, reels and targets furnished) and fish-tossing contests.

Live music will be provided throughout the day by Chris Gibbs, the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association, Randy Clayton and the Hyde County Ramblers between the county services center and MATTIE along with cake walks, bake sales, and raffles.

For more information, visit Mattieartscenter on Facebook, mattieartscenter.org, or call 252-926-2787  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.