Bakersville, NC Creek Walk Arts Festival
2017


This was the official site for the Bakersville, NC Creek Walk Arts Festival, The content is from the site's 2014 archived pages. The demise of this site is due to the merger in 2017 of the Bakersville, NC Creek Walk Arts Festival with the NC Rhododendron Festival.

Bakersville's 2017 Creek Walk Arts Festival Celebrates 11th Year

For the 11th year running, the town of Bakersville, NC hosts the Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival - a juried fine art show drawing artisans from around the region. The Festival has merged with the NC Rhododendron Festival and now will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 10AM- 5PM.
 
BCWAF showcases some of the finest art and craft to be found in the Southeast, including glass, jewelry, ceramics, metalwork, and woodcraft. Artists have been carefully selected to ensure attendees have access to the highest quality items. A silent auction will also be held to benefit Bakersville elementary & middle school art programs.
 
The merger with the NC Rhododendron Festival (June 19-20) means that visitors will also be able to enjoy the Rhododendron Pageant, craft fair, car show, square dance, and can even take part in a 10K run!

I have relatives who have lived in the small town of Bakersville or the surrounding area for generations. The town itself goes back to the 1850s. It was probably best known for its mica deposits in the late 1800's and now for the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival that is centered around the Catawba Rhododendron gardens. I love hiking the Roan Mountain recreational area which is part of one of the highest ranges in the Southern Appalachians. The treeless mountaintops offer spectacular views. Last June after a really hectic five months at the company I work for. They were growing by leaps and bounds adding new clients to their roster for part time janitor jobs. I scrambled training and overseeing new cleaning crews in floor cleaning and refinishing, carpet steam extraction cleaning, ceiling and wall vent, ceiling light, and exterior glass cleaning. It seemed that we had more emergency cleaning and pre/post special event cleaning than ever before. It was great for the company, but when my vacation time rolled around I was so grateful to head south to North Carolina and the NC Rhododendron Festival with its pageant, craft fair, street dance, car show, 10K run, and my kids all time favorite, the Ducky Derby all rolled into one great weekend. Hope to see you there next year.

 

Circa 2014

Saturday, September 20, 2014 : 10am - 5pm

Announcements

New! Any donations to the Creek Walk Arts Festival are tax deductible. Please consider giving any amount to help keep this small town fine arts festival going strong. Visit our Donations page to send your gift via PayPal!

Applying for the 2014 Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival:
 
For artists, click on the "Artist Info" tab above.

For a Non-Profit Exhibitor Application or a Food Vendor Application (non-profits only now!), click on the " Music/Food/Non-Profs" tab above.
 

Info For Visitors

Please visit our "Directions" and "About BCWAF" pages for more information about us and how to get here.
 
 
PLEASE NOTE: No animals will be permitted in the Festival area. We love our furry friends, but health & safety regulations do not allow for their presence at the Festival. Thanks for understanding!
 
 

 

 

Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge our generous 2014 sponsors:

Blumenthal Foundation

Duke Energy
Bakersville Improvement Group
Town of Bakersville
United Community Bank
Bakersville Community Medical Clinic
Mountain Professionals
Unimin
Young's Fuel Service

Jack & Carolyn Riley

(and, as always... "Anonymous"!)
 
In Kind Sponsors:
AMY Regional Library
Bakersville Farmer's Market
John Ferlazzo
Hedgerow Arts
Morgan Oil
Mountain Escapes
The Laurel of Asheville
Toe River Arts Council


About the Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival 

Our yearly show offers nearly 50 exhibitors of glass, jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, fiber, woodcraft and sculpture. The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival has become known for showcasing some of the finest arts and crafts to be found in the Southeast. 

The Festival, which is open to the public and free of charge, takes place along the banks of Cane Creek, which winds through the center of this beautiful and historic small town. It has become a local favorite with artists and visitors alike; many returning year after year. 

Proceeds from the Silent Auction at past festivals have addressed local needs such as stocking food banks, providing heating oil subsidies for the needy, and town beautification projects.

 
Bakersville is just over an hour away from either Asheville, Boone or Johnson City [TN]. Penland School of Crafts, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Spruce Pine and Burnsville are all within 20 minutes of Bakersville and provide plenty of activities to see or do during the weekend.

Come experience our local music, food, atmosphere and more! If you haven't been to Bakersville lately, you have missed the best kept secret in western North Carolina. 

Come discover our mountain paradise!

 

Artist Testimonials

 
"Very well managed, and I enjoyed being here."
 
"Nice crowd!  I liked my location!"
 
"Great having volunteers to help during the show!"
 
"The Festival setting is very nice and volunteers are very helpful."
 
"Well organized. Wonderful volunteers."
 
"FABULOUS SHOW! Loved the music and the flow and all of the great energy."
 
"Thank you-- this was awesome!"
 
 
"This was a fabulous surprise! What a fun, well organized show. Fantastic volunteers always around to help out... very easy to load out (with) lots of help."
 
"Sales were very good, (a) nice, steady buying crowd all day long!"
 
"Each year is better & better. Your volunteers ROCK!"
 
"Great organization & care of your vendors."
 
"Fantastic volunteers. You make artists feel appreciated!"
 

Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival Awards

 

 
2014
 
 
 

Best of Show: Michael Hamlin-Smith, Clay

Best 3-D: Shane Mickey, Clay  

Best 2-D: Danny Jarrett, Photography  

Honorable Mention: Ginnie Warner, Jewelry   

Honorable Mention: Jessica Hall, Jewelry  

Honorable Mention: Teresa Pietsch, Clay

Middleton Emerging Artist: Becca Irvin Clay

Judges: Cynthia Bringle, Terry Gess, & Andy Palmer 

 

2012 Winners

 
 

Best of Show: Olivia de Soria, Jewelry  

Second Place: Teresa Pietsch, Clay  

Third Place: Ben Elliott, Glass  

Honorable Mention: Robbie Bell, Clay   

Honorable Mention: Rachel Wilder, Jewelry  

Honorable Mention: Bruce Rosen, Wood

Middleton Emerging Artist: Anita Blackwell, Clay

Judges: Lisa Clague, Billie Ruth Sudduth, & Dr. Laura Crary 

 


2010 Winners
 
 
 

Best of Show: John Geci, Glass  

Second Place: Courtney Martin, Clay  

Third Place: Shane Urquhart, Metals  

Honorable Mention: Les Powell, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Lisa Joerling, Clay & Jewelry  

Honorable Mention: Ed Young, Photography  

Middleton Emerging Artist: Jason Lydic, Metal

Judges: Mike Doors, Leah Leitson

 

2008 Winners

 
 

Best of Show: Lisa Clague, Clay  

First Place: Erik Dahlager, Photography 

Second Place: Shane Mickey, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Lindsay Rogers, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Ross Edwards, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Brad Kelly, Photography 

Middleton Emerging Artist: Lindsay Rogers, Clay  

People's Choice: Cameron Reed, Glass  

Best Booth: Joy Tanner, Clay  

Judges: Dr. Laura Crary, Rob Pulleyn

 

2006 Winners

 
 

Best of Show: Lee Anne Ashe, Clay  

First Place: Janet Warner, Printmaking  

Second Place: Emily Reason, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Kuei Dorman, Painting  

Honorable Mention: Linda Sacra, Jewelery  

Honorable Mention: Joy Tanner, Clay  

Middleton Emerging Artist: Joy Tanner, Clay  

People's Choice: Ernie Shaver, Wood  

Best Booth: Richard Moore, Wood

Judges: Kathryn Gremley, Liz Brown
 

 

 
2013 Winners
 

Best of Show: Bridget Fox, Clay  

Second Place (Sponsored by the Blumenthal Foundation): 
Dave MacDonald, Metal  

Third Place: Ginny Warner, Jewelry  

Honorable Mention: Maria Musngi, Fiber  

Honorable Mention: Rachel Wilder, Jewelry 

Honorable Mention: John Lara & David Trophia, Jewelry  

People's Choice: Katie Blossom, Jewelry

Best Booth: Jason Lydic, Metal

Middleton Emerging Artist: Caitley Symons, Fabric Design

Judges: Kitty Love, Frank Thomson, Adam Whitney

 


2011 Winners
 

 
 

Best of Show: Julie Covington, Clay  

Second Place: Katie Hill, Clay   

Third Place: Blue Fire MacMahon, Clay   

Honorable Mention: Valerie Schnaufer, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Teresa Pietsch, Clay   

Honorable Mention: Rachel Wilder, Jewelry  

Middleton Emerging Artist: Teresa Pietsch, Clay

Judges: Dr. Laura Crary & Deb Karash

 


2009 Winners

 
 

Best of Show: Ross Edwards, Clay

First Place: Ian Kessler-Gowell, Glass

Second Place: Lindsay Rogers, Clay

Third Place: Lisa Gluckin, Clay

Honorable Mention: Julie Covington, Clay

Honorable Mention: Petty Shepard, Baskets

Honorable Mention: Richard & Carole Moore, Baskets

Middleton Emerging Artist: Lisa Gluckin, Clay

Best Booth: Lindsay Rogers, Clay

Judge: Sarah Martin

 

2007 Winners

 
 

Best of Show: Kim Oberhammer, Painting & Clay  

First Place: William Baker, Clay  

Second Place: Shane Mickey, Clay  

Honorable Mention: Linda Sacra, Jewelery  

Honorable Mention: Eunice Hatley, Basketry  

Honorable Mention: Chris Winterstein, Metal  

Middleton Emerging Artist: Alan White, Clay  

People's Choice: Cameron Reed, Glass  

Best Booth: Joy Tanner, Clay  

Judges: Deb Karash and Edwina Bringle

 

 
 
2005 Winners
 
 
 

Best of Show: Michael Kline, Clay 

First Place: Susan Hayden, Metal 

Second Place: Mary Vogel, Photography 

Honorable Mention: Leanne Ash, Clay

Honorable Mention: John Dogariu, Metal & Wood

Honorable Mention: Richard Moore, Wood

Middleton Emerging Artist: Dave Dellinger, Metal  

 

Directions to Bakersville 

 
 
If you haven't been to Bakersville, NC lately, you have missed out on one of the best kept secrets in Western North Carolina!
 
Bakersville is the County Seat for Mitchell County, and it boasts a burgeoning arts community.
 
Bakersville is just a little over an hour northeast of  Asheville, at the base of Roan Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Eastern United States. We're also just minutes from the >Penland School of Crafts and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
 
Enjoy a truly unique Art and Craft Festival in Bakersville, a beautiful little place in the mountains.
 
 


 

More Background On CreekWalkFestival.com

The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival: A Celebration of Art and Culture

The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival is an annual event held in the scenic town of Bakersville, North Carolina. This gathering has grown into a cornerstone celebration for artists and art enthusiasts alike, showcasing a wide range of artistic mediums, including glass, jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, fiber, woodcraft, and sculpture.

Historical Overview

Founded in 2005, the Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival was envisioned as a way to utilize the town's newly built half-mile paved walkway along Cane Creek. The primary goal was to promote Appalachian arts and crafts, offering local and regional artists a platform to display their works. Over the years, the festival has gained prominence and attracted visitors from across the Southeastern United States.

Festival Highlights

The festival is celebrated for its high-caliber art exhibitions and the diverse array of works presented. Visitors can explore artisan booths featuring everything from handcrafted jewelry to intricately designed pottery and vibrant paintings. Beyond visual art, the event incorporates live music, food vendors, and a silent auction, ensuring a vibrant and engaging cultural experience for all attendees.

Community Impact and Cultural Significance

The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival extends its influence beyond the arts community, significantly benefiting the town of Bakersville. Proceeds from the event have been used to support local initiatives, including stocking food banks, providing heating subsidies for elderly residents, and funding town beautification projects. These efforts highlight the festival's dedication to uplifting the community and fostering a strong sense of togetherness.

Artistic Recognition and Awards

One of the key features of the festival is its focus on artistic excellence. Artists have the opportunity to compete for various awards, such as Best of Show, First Place, Honorable Mentions, and the Middleton Emerging Artist Award. These accolades not only recognize outstanding talent but also motivate artists to innovate and contribute to the region's vibrant art scene.

Visitor Experience

Set against the serene backdrop of Cane Creek, the festival provides an immersive cultural experience for attendees. It is open to the public and free of charge, making it accessible to everyone. Located just over an hour from Asheville, Boone, and Johnson City, the festival is an ideal destination for a weekend outing. Visitors can enjoy art, live music, and delicious food while taking in the natural beauty of the area.

 

The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival stands as a testament to the vibrant artistic culture of North Carolina's mountain communities. By showcasing fine arts and crafts, supporting local initiatives, and fostering a sense of unity, the festival has cemented its place as a cherished annual tradition. For anyone looking to experience the intersection of art, community, and natural beauty, this event offers an enriching and unforgettable experience.

 
 

CreekWalkFestival.com