Toe River Arts will host their Annual Blacksmith Exhibition March 30 – April 27 at Toe River Arts in Spruce Pine, at the Kokol Gallery. The exhibition is in conjunction with the Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival which takes place on Saturday, April 27th in downtown Spruce Pine between 10am – 4pm. The festival is coordinated by Spruce Pine Main Street, Penland School of Craft, Toe River Arts, Arthur Morgan School and local smiths.
The exhibition runs the month prior to the festival and gives the public an opportunity to view the work of blacksmiths from the southeast and beyond. It promotes the festival and is one of the premier blacksmith exhibitions in our region. The exhibition offers craftspeople the opportunity to show their work in a gallery setting in a region known for its blacksmithing history. This exhibition brings big names from around the country to Spruce Pine to share their talent and skills. This year’s Featured Blacksmith is Pete Braspenninx from Casnovia, Michigan. His work will be featured in the exhibition along with the other festival demonstrators. This year’s demonstrators are Claire Ashby from Raleigh, NC, Cole Aurichio from Bakersville, NC, Seth Gould from Bakersville, NC, Anna Koplik from Brooklyn, NC and Will Manning from Jonesborough, TN.
There will be a public reception to kick off the festival on Friday, April 26th from 5-7 pm. This is an opportunity for folks to meet the blacksmiths and to celebrate this year’s exhibition and festival. There will be a talk by Pete Braspennix in the upstairs Owen Gallery after the reception. There will be $1000 in awards which will be announced at 6:30pm during the reception. This year, visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite piece for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced on Locust Street at 3:30pm next to the forge off area.
Toe River Arts is located at 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC. Gallery hours are 10:30am – 5 pm, Tues -Sat.
For more information, email info@toeriverarts.org or call 828-765-0520.
A Thing to Stop a Tank by Pete Braspenninx
Calculating Infinity 27 by Pete Braspenninx
Mosquito by Elizabeth Belz
