BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — It's been nearly eight weeks since Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, and communities in western North Carolina are still feeling the impacts.
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is hosting three art and craft fairs over the next month to support artisans and artists recovering from Helene. BRAHM noted that many fall events artists relied on were canceled this fall due to storm damages, resulting in a loss of expected income.
The museum said it "is honored to offer the space and the marketing to these Craft Fairs free of charge to the artist and crafts persons as a part of the Museum’s effort to help rebuild arts infrastructure in the region."
The fairs will take place the weekends of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, and Dec. 13 to Dec. 15 at BRAHM, located on Ginny Stevens Lane in Blowing Rock. That final weekend is also the Blowing Rock Holiday Stroll. The fairs will go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Each of the three fairs will feature the work of artists with handmade crafts and fine art alike, as well as jewelry, pottery and more.
The museum noted that October is typically a busy time for the region, accounting for roughly 11% of the total annual tourism revenue. A good portion of that was lost due to Helene recovery efforts, though.
In response, BRAHM said it is focusing on three efforts: Rebuilding arts education infrastructure, helping artists recover their lost revenue, and redefining the community's image through its arts and culture as a vibrant community ready for visitors.
“We believe art has a unique power to heal and inspire, and these fairs are part of our commitment to the artists who are vital to this community,” BRAHM staff said in a statement. “By supporting local creators and showcasing their work, we’re helping to rebuild not only livelihoods but also the cultural spirit that makes this region so special.”
The fairs are free to attend, and all of the proceeds from purchases at the fairs will be going to artists.