Black Mountain Center for the Arts announces 'Second Saturday' lineup

Pottery market, wheel demonstration, gallery show and more

The Valley Echo
August 3, 2020

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts will be among many local businesses participating in Second Saturday, presented by the Chamber of Commerce, Aug. 8. Courtesy of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts will be participating in the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce smaller, safer Sourwood Festival branded “Second Saturday” on Aug. 8. The town-wide event encourages visitors to safely shop and celebrate the small business and organizations that make our community thrive.

The BMCA Pottery Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the back of the Arts Center on both levels of covered deck. More than 10 potters will have their work for sale and there will be ongoing pottery wheel-throwing demonstrations from the clay studio throughout the day.

“This crisis has given people a renewed appreciation for handmade objects,” says Charles Freeland, the BMCA Clay Studio manager and instructor. “It has made us think about what’s important. Even with restrictions brought on by the pandemic like opening at half capacity, limited hours and mandatory masks, our studio members were eager to get back to making. We have a talented cross section of ceramic artisans and studio members who are  excited to share their work in this new, safer format.”

Inside the Arts Center, in addition to an open gift shop, Saturday will be the last day of Feldmania, the Upper Gallery show featuring a retrospective of 60 years of creativity by local artist Fred Feldman, a participant in the Clay Studio who has been a welcome and consistent presence at BMCA over the years. This diverse show includes pottery, wall hangings, mixed media, pen and ink and various other artful adaptations of found objects and everyday things.

Also available behind the Arts Center will be cold drinks, live plants and cut flowers.

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located at 225 West State Street. The back of the building can be accessed from many points including from the parking lot off South Dougherty Street and up the hill from Sutton Avenue. For more information visit blackmountainarts.org or call 828-669-0930.