On Saturday, September 11th and Sunday the 12th, leave the main roads and wander the byways of Pocahontas County to discover Droop Mountain Artisans from 10a-5p, during the 3rd Annual Droop Mountain Studio Tour. You will find fresh, unique, and limited pieces, while embarking on the drive-around open studio tour. Catch artisans at work with their tools of the trade while throwing clay, pounding iron, and carving clay ink pots. Watch other artists working in a variety of media from jewelry to fiber arts as they demonstrate their trade. You’ll also be invited to join in on conversations to learn the history of Appalachian arts. Over 30 Guest Artisans will be located across 4 studio sites on Droop Mountain near Hillsboro. They will share their personal stories of inspiration, reflection, and creativity. The special event sites are accessible from Rte. 219 about 45 minutes north of Lewisburg. Blue signs will be posted along the routes between studios.

You will find fresh, unique, and limited pieces, while embarking on the drive-around open studio tour.

There will be ongoing demonstrations and make-and-take activities throughout this event!

There will be ongoing demonstrations and make-and-take activities throughout this event! Feeling creative? Create your own magic wand, make enormous bubbles, craft paper landscapes, and design stamped pendants. Take home your own gelli print! Gelli Plate Printing is a process that uses a gelatin plate to press to fabric or paper.

Studio #1 Yew Mountain Center located west of Rte. 219 on Lobelia Rd is an educational non-profit that provides programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture, and the arts.

Studio #1 Yew Mountain Center located west of Rte. 219 on Lobelia Rd is an educational non-profit that provides programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture, and the arts. On hand will be quilter Joanna Cordell providing an eclectic approach to quilts. Card-maker Margaret Baker will guide all through easy make and take methods for creating paper landscapes. Cheryl Beverage brings varied crafts that have been handed down for generations. Don’t miss Robin Tywoniw’s personalized cookies and macrame’, and Sandy Simmons demonstration for harvesting honey. New on the scene Melissa Totten will be painting and Jane Huppert counting her cross-stitch. While you’re here, take a hike or a canoe ride in the pond. Concessions will include Rice and Veggie Bowls, pumpkin-spiced donut holes, coffee, and herbal tea. Airbnb rooms and camping is available.

Studio #2 HandMade WV/Saffron Flats located on Rte. 219 is a new shop offering handcrafts.

Studio #2 HandMade WV/Saffron Flats located on Rte. 219 is a new shop offering handcrafts. A make-and-take project of hand-stamping pendants and charms using aluminum, an easily stamped metal, will be offered by Suzanne Williams. Host Anne Walker will be demonstrating the wild color schemes possible with confetti quilting and thread painting, and Robin Cort uses fabric as the canvas for her painting.

Cris Bartlett, who embraces of love of bird habitats, will be offering a make-and-take project painting gourds for bird habitats for your own home. Come watch Tamarack juried artisan Jan Skellion create delightful animals and people using needle felting. Visit with Cindy Sandeno while she demonstrates her skills at ring and bracelet-making, and Sandi Simmons whose love of flower and foliage has translated into making wreaths of all kinds. A farmers’ market will be on site with all kinds of goodies, fresh out of gardens and ovens.

Studio #3 Wannabe Farm Artist located east of Rte. 219 on Denmar Road is an exceptional place to visit.

Studio #3 Wannabe Farm Artist located east of Rte. 219 on Denmar Road is an exceptional place to visit. Co-host and Potter Eric Stahl will be throwing pottery on a wheel, while Cynthia Gurreri demonstrates her carving technique on clay ink pots. Sarah Moss and Diane Monroe of BareFoot Woods will take you on a magical journey of conjuring up a wizard’s wand and blowing enormous shimmery bubbles. Discover the gorgeous folk art of painted barn quilt squares with Regina Benedict.

Co-host and Watercolorist Cyla Allison will help all who are curious to create gelli prints, wildly colorful prints that can be used in many fun ways. One must appreciate the bold and compelling artwork of Karen Melton who paints with oils and acrylics. Beach-lover Tiki Hall shows a very different style and approaches with watercolor. If you want to see messy, fascinating art emerge be present at 11:00 and 2:00 for Barbara Ervin who will pour paint … with surprising results. Demonstrating with materials that anybody can use from home, Helena Gondry applies her exquisite find hand to intricate designs. No one should miss Sally Cobb’s concession of authentic New Orleans Gumbo. It is said to taste better than Pizza!

Studio #4 BrenWood Forge and Broom located east of Rte. 219 on Denmar Road is home to an Appalachian hand-tied broom shop and working blacksmith shop.

Studio #4 BrenWood Forge and Broom located east of Rte. 219 on Denmar Road is home to an Appalachian hand-tied broom shop and working blacksmith shop. Host and Tamarack artist Brenda Harman makes everyday chores a pleasure to perform with her handcrafted brooms. The forge at BrenWood will be in full swing with blacksmiths Bennett Life and Robert Rush stoking the fires in the forge and hammering on the anvil. Both are accomplished in tool making, functional and decorative ironworks, and creating smoke. Bennett is a juried Tamarack artist and participates in the art colony at the Greenbrier Resort. Alongside the smiths of iron is bladesmith Simone Lollis showcasing his Damascus steel knives and cutlery.

The exacting attention of Malinda Carr in her use of thin copper wire to capture gemstones (natural and created) in strong copper wire frameworks make her rings, bracelets and more sought-for at Tamarack. Kathryn Lehotsky is a nationally known Tamarack Artist who uses watercolor and photorealism to bring wildlife of all species to life. Nature lovers will appreciate the delicate hummingbirds and pressed flower note cards of Janet Hunt. Ron Ferguson, is a self-taught craftsman and has turned his life-long love of working with wood into artisanry. He specializes in making cutting boards using native WV hardwoods. Husband and wife team, Bob and Elaine Alkire, bring a vast arsenal of tools and machinery to their approach to using WV native woods in their furniture and home decor.

Raw clay is the medium of choice for Sean O’Connell who makes objects of beauty and function that speaks to one’s spirit. His art has been influenced by African and Pre-Columbian cultures. Owner of Brightside Acres, Dawn Baldwin Barrett, works closely with the ecology of her farm in its wildness and her all natural garden, vineyard and orchard, along with her family of goats. From these sources she makes her wildly popular West Virginia Wildgrown® herbal tea and Miss Clyde’s goat milk soaps. Come hungry for a concession of some good old fashion Calico Beans, pork sandwiches, quick breads and more.

DIRECTORY

Studio #1 Yew Mountain Center is located at 9494 Lobelia Rd. Hillsboro, WV (304) 653-4079

Studio #2 HandMade WV is located at 2445 Seneca Trail, Droop, WV (304) 653-8879

Studio #3 Wannabe Farm Artists is located at 5687 Denmar Rd. Hillsboro, WV (304) 653-4164

Studio #4 BrenWood Forge & Broom is located at 8798 Denmar Rd. Hillsboro, WV (304) 653-8550

Follow this event on facebook. Search “3rd Annual Droop Mountain Studios Tour” This event is hosted by BrenWood Forge & Broom, Droop Mountain Artisans, and The Yew Mountain Center.

– HashtagWV #135. September 2021.