Art by the Tracks brings handmade crafts and more to Sutton Avenue

Art by the Tracks, hosted by the Old Depot Association, returns for its 22nd year, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26. 

More than 50 artists and master crafters have been juried in, and will sell their work in downtown Black Mountain, along Sutton Avenue. There will also be coffee, ice-cream and snacks available from Samara Price’s local food truck the Nibble and Sip, as well as art show tee-shirts and posters for sale.

At 11:30 a.m., dancers from the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Youth Dance program will perform under the porch of the Old Depot. The Black Mountain Community Band will play, beginning at 1 p.m. 

The art show features all handmade art, sold by the artisans themselves. Items available will include paintings, silkscreened shirts and fiber art, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, folk art, quilts, handmade soap and more.

Art by the Tracks is a unique event. It is a competitive juried show, which means the artwork has to be of a high caliber and sold by the artists themselves. This allows the shopper to meet the artist and vice versa.

The event also serves as the Old Depot’s fundraiser for art in local public schools. Artist booth fees go to support the mission of the Old Depot Association, which raises over $8,000 a year in grant money to donate toward art projects to public schools within the Swannanoa Valley.

Each year the Old Depot hires a student who has been a recipient of their art grants to draw a train-themed piece of art for the art show poster. This year’s poster artwork done by local eighth-grader Willow Garrison. Her poster art includes a train with wings, and rocking chairs lining the mountains above the tracks.

Art by the Tracks has an extensive lineup of artists this year, including local watercolor artist Tracy Luther with Blue Water Color. Luther’s paintings range from ethereal evergreen trees, to colorful elephants. Her work is sure to complete any room.

Local quilter Barbara Wall will return with her quilts, placemats, potholders and walking sticks. 

Attendance is free and parking is abundant.

For more information please go online to the Old Depot’s website at www.olddepot.org, or contact show coordinator Sarah Vekasi at craftshow@olddepot.org.