On Saturday, September 26th, Appalachian State University faculty and students performed, demonstrated, and volunteered during the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center’s 34th Annual Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts festival.
Despite rainy weather, festival visitors traveled from near and far to hear ASU’s Steely Pan Steel Band perform during the festival. Steely Pan is a favorite among Celebration of the Arts festival attendees. This year marked the first Celebration performance for the band’s new director, Byron Hedgepeth.
ASU students, Millie Gentry and Joe Sink led a hands-on pottery wheel demonstration in the Celebration Folk Life Pavilion. Gentry and Sink provided instruction and assistance as children and adults experienced throwing pots for the first time. Each participant was able to keep the piece they created on the pottery wheel.
Jody Servon, ASU faculty and Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts, volunteered during Celebration as a tour guide in the Center’s Lucas Mansion. The ASU Sharpe Chair was endowed by Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center founder, the late Eileen Lackey Sharpe.
In addition to the annual Celebration of the Arts festival, the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center offers a history museum, monthly art gallery exhibits, collections of gems & minerals, performing arts programming, classes and educational opportunities, and a multitude of unique opportunities to experience the arts. Located in the Hiddenite community of Alexander County, the Center is located at 316 Hiddenite Church Road and is open to the public Mon – Fri from 10am – 4:30pm and on Sat from 10am – 3pm.
To learn more about the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center call (828) 632-6966, email info@hiddenitearts.org or visit www.hiddenitearts.org
Like the Center on facebook at www.facebook.com/hiddeniteartsandheritagecenter
Photo Caption 1: ASU’s Steely Pan Steel Band, led by Byron Hedgepeth, performed to large crowds during the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center’s Celebration of the Arts festival.
Photo Caption 2: ASU students, Joe Sink ( shown) and Millie Gentry (not pictured), helped festival visitors learn to throw pots on the wheel.
Photo Caption 3: ASU Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts, Jody Servon, volunteered as a tour guide in the Center’s Lucas Mansion and then enjoyed Steely Pan’s performance with her family.
