Empty vendor booths sorrowful.
For over 50 years, the annual Village Art & Craft Fair has been a beloved tradition in Asheville, North Carolina. However, this year, the event will not take place due to a major development project in the historic Biltmore Village area.
The Village Art & Craft Fair, organized by New Morning Gallery, will be on hiatus for 2024 due to an upcoming construction project for the Kessler Hotel at 10 Kitchin Place. Leah Chang, the fair’s coordinator, expressed concerns about potential conflicts with the construction activities.
The two-day event is typically held in September on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls, situated opposite the location of the upcoming hotel. The Kessler Hotel project, recently approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, will feature a 99-room hotel, restaurant, and retail space.
The Village Art & Craft Fair provides a platform for artists and crafters to showcase and sell their high-quality creations. With an average of 100-120 juried artists participating from Western North Carolina and beyond, the fair offers a diverse range of items including ceramics, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and more. The event typically attracts several thousand visitors each year.
Chang acknowledged the disappointment that both patrons and artists may feel about the fair’s hiatus. She also highlighted the fair’s role as a fundraiser for the Cathedral of All Souls and its significance in drawing foot traffic to the historic district of Biltmore Village.
According to Chang, the Village Art & Craft Fair is expected to return in 2025. While previous cancellations occurred in 2020 due to the pandemic, organizers are hopeful for a successful comeback next year.
In a news release, the organizers expressed gratitude to the artists, patrons, local businesses, and partners who have supported the fair over the years. The community’s unwavering support has been instrumental in the fair’s success, and organizers are optimistic about the future.
As the Asheville community prepares to forego the annual Village Art & Craft Fair in 2024, organizers are looking ahead to the return of this cherished event in the coming years. While the hiatus may bring disappointment, the anticipation of a future fair promises to reignite the spirit of creativity and celebration in Biltmore Village.
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