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The to Celebrate Southern Appalachian Art and Craft at Ninth Annual Carolina Craft Day on September 26, 2015

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (September 15, 2015) – The North Carolina Arboretum will celebrate traditional and contemporary Southern Appalachian art and craft at its Carolina Craft Day on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arboretum’s Education Center. In its ninth year, the 2015 Carolina Craft Day will feature artists working in fiber, paper, clay, metal, and wood as well as traditional music and informational craft demonstrations. All participating artists have been juried in and represent some of the excellent work from the region. Artists’ work will be available for purchase during the fair.

“Western North Carolina is known worldwide for its botanical beauty and diversity as well as for its vital artistic industry with strong roots in traditional Southern Appalachian craft,” said Beth Ross Johnson, adult education coordinator at The North Carolina Arboretum. “The North Carolina Arboretum’s Carolina Craft Day showcases the region’s craft heritage, and demonstrates the close relationship between craft and the plants used as materials and as inspiration in the works themselves.”

Carolina Craft Day will feature more than a dozen vendors exhibiting ceramics, books, jewelry, wood, and architectural and wall pieces. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the Arboretum’s Heritage Garden, a demonstration garden that showcases many of the plants used in the multi-million-dollar craft industry of western North Carolina, including some of those used for handmade paper and brooms, baskets and dyes.

For more information on Carolina Craft Day and a list of participating artists, please visit www.ncarboretum.org.

About The North Carolina Arboretum

Each year more than 500,000 visitors experience the Arboretum’s gardens, trails, exhibits, shows and expos, educational programs, demonstrations and lectures. The Arboretum’s ability to meet its mission and enrich the visitor experience is made possible by a community of supporters—from members, volunteers and staff to state and local funds, tribute gifts, grants, and community partners.

The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system and located within the , is to cultivate connections between people and plants. Shows and events are free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($12 per personal motor vehicle). Special events and after-hours activities may require additional fees. For more information, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.

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The NC Arboretum is located next to the entrance at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Visit www.ncarboretum.org/plan-a-visit for parking fees, property hours and building hours. For general information call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.