ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
An unmistakably massive craft fair is brewing once again in the bowels of Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville. After all, it’s in the name.
The Big Crafty, running noon to 6 p.m. July 6 and 7 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville, has united local crafters with their community since 2008.
The semiannual event fills the convention center with booth upon booth of artists with works ranging from ceramics to quilts, fine art prints to found material sculptures. The weird blends seamlessly with the traditional in The Big Crafty space, a microcosm of Asheville itself.
Julie Odell is an artist and employee of Horse + Hero, an art boutique whose owners, Justin Rabuck and Brandy Bourne, run The Big Crafty.
“They’re just very interwoven into the community and give small artists and big artists so many opportunities,” Odell said. “They make The Big Crafty happen and help so many people get exposed to living an artist’s life.”
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Odell moved to Asheville from New Orleans. Some of her early pieces were tapestries woven from discarded Mardi Gras costumes, an example of the eclectic spirit of The Big Crafty. Odell will have her own booth at the event.
“I can’t believe how many artists are here that are doing art in this kind of vein,” Odell said. “There’s a lot of different styles, but it all feels pretty cohesive.”
Odell and her work can be found on the concourse of Harrah’s Cherokee Center, where many of the 189 artist booths will be located during the event. The others will be spread out on the showroom floor.
“There’s every kind of art you can possibly imagine, and it’s all really beautiful and strange,” Odell said. “Downstairs in the arena area, it’s just a giant pit of gorgeous art everywhere. That’s the only way I can describe it.”
The best part of The Big Crafty for Odell is seeing that artwork pass from the hands of a creator to an owner.
“People buy art,” Odell wondered. “I love this. It gives me hope.”
More information about The Big Crafty can be found on its website.