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TRAC to the ‘20s: Toe River Arts Council Art Auction August 10

Weekend Also Includes Swing Band Performance, Artists’ Reception

The Toe River Arts Council (TRAC) has adopted a festive Roaring Twenties theme for its annual benefit arts auction that takes place on Sunday, August 10, in Spruce Pine.

More than 150 items in glass, clay, fiber, metal, paintings, photography, basketry and more will be available from the top and emerging artists and craftspeople who reside in the region. The artists and their works are known—some are world renowned—for their creative, top-quality and expert craftsmanship.

The proceeds from the auction benefit TRAC, a small arts council that serves the community with a variety of programs: school residencies and performances, twice-yearly studio tours, exhibitions year round in its two galleries, monthly music series, its own community orchestra and a lot more. The theme for the auction this year ties the current art scene to a pivotal and historical period in the arts.

The 1920s were significant for western North Carolina, a period marked by the founding of various important crafts revival and preservation movements. Traditional arts and crafts skills—from making quilt patterns to chairs, from creating pottery to ironwork—were eagerly collected and documented, cherished and taught to coming generations in crafts centers amid rustic mountain surroundings.

Just a few of the important handicrafts schools that blossomed in the Roaring Twenties are Penland School (1923), John C. Campbell Folk School (1925) and Crossnore Weavers (1921).

The 1920s are also remembered as having been a whole lot of fun, a giddy nationwide spree. The era even originated its own distinctive design style in the Art Deco movement. TRAC celebrates those heady times in this year’s art auction.

The art to be auctioned will be on exhibit from Saturday, August 2, through Sunday, August 10, at the TRAC Center Gallery in Spruce Pine. TRAC is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Several other weekend events are being planned in conjunction with Sunday’s auction. Friday, August 8, kicks off the auction festivities with a performance by the local Acoustic Swing Band, who will treat their audience to a show of ‘20s music in Spruce Pine’s historic Carolina Theatre. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.

Visitors will have a chance to mingle with the artists at a Meet the Artists reception on Saturday, August 9, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the TRAC Center Gallery, 269 Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine. Artists donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the sale of their works, and the party honors their generosity because the event is the major fundraiser of the year in support of TRAC and its mission. Party organizers are encouraging all who attend to dress up in glad rags of the ‘20s. Admission to the reception is free.

The Sunday, August 10, art auction will be held at the Spruce Pine TRAC Center Gallery. The silent auction runs from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. and is followed by the live auction from 1:45 to 3:30 p.m. The work of noted Toe River Valley artists such as basketmaker Billie Ruth Sudduth, glassblowers Kate Vogel and John Littleton, and clay artist Cynthia Bringle have been offered in auctions in years past.

Visitors and bidders will enjoy wonderful refreshments throughout the afternoon as they are transported back in time to the lively 1920s in Mitchell County. Tickets are $20 per person.

For more information about the art auction, click to www.toeriverarts.org, contact the Toe River Arts Council at trac@toeriverarts.org or call 828-765-0520.

Want To Go?

What: Acoustic Swing Band Performance
Date: Friday, August 8
Time: 8;00 p.m.
Location: Carolina Theatre, Spruce Pine
Cost: $10

Want To Go?

What: Meet the Artists Reception
Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: TRAC Center Gallery, Spruce Pine
Cost: Free

Want To Go?

What: Art Auction
Date: Sunday, August 10
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Silent Auction/1:45 to 3:30 p.m. Live Auction
Location: TRAC Center Gallery, Spruce Pine
Cost: $20