A mostly free arts festival is an amazing thing. It's like a goodwill ambassador for creativity, introducing the community to a whole new world.
I've been coming to the North Charleston Arts Festival for a few years now, and every year it offers a lot of the same things: dance, painting, photography, textiles, jewelry, music, and elephant ears. Every year is different, though, as individual as the artists and performers who come together to make it a creative mecca.
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| Music! |
It's so exciting to me to be able to submerse myself in this melange of creativity for a day. My short attention span thrives in such an atmosphere. Outside while munching on super greasy fair food, we caught a few numbers by local favorites the
Shrimp City Slim Band.
Then we went inside and Presto! an Art Gallery, with both professional and amateur artists represented. Then we turned a corner and there was more music, and drums waiting to be played.
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| Gallery: works by Elena Barna on the wall. |
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Ready for the next act.
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And then we found textiles...
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| "Handed Down" by Susan Lenz |
The gloves all have names embroidered on them...so pretty, so touching. Love it.
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| "I've often wondered if I was the one who left the door open when Binky flew away." |
There were several things by this artist, Ellen Byrd. I love the combination of whimsy, wistfulness, and fiber. She totally gets it.
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| Hand knitted by elderly Brits, so help me. |
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| Bell Gauge :) |
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| Teddy bear trousers, in a sea of lovely linens. |
I bought a vintage bell gauge, useful for sizing your knitting "pins." This one was made in England and a quick internet search dates it circa 1935. That's pre-war, people!
There was so much more, including a jaw-dropping selection of vintage clothing for sale, none of which I photographed. The dealer has an online shop, though, at
Ruby Lane.
I'll leave you with a charming collection of buttons and lace, none of which I purchased...this time.
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| Vintage lace and buttons |
