American Craft Week Celebrated in Downtown Clifton Forge   Clifton Forge, VA (Sept. 16, 2021) - The visual, performing, and historic Arts organizations in Clifton Forge are joining together in observing the national celebration of American Arts & Crafts Week! American Craft Week will run from October 1 through October 10 in Clifton Forge.
This is the second year Clifton Forge has participated and this year is bigger and better. Every day thousands of American artists share their vision and talents by producing amazing hand-made decorative and functional objects and offering beauty, entertainment and inspiration in the form of visual and performance arts. Thousands of retailers and theatres share their love of these experiences by displaying, entertaining, educating, and promoting, in addition to selling visual arts and crafts. The Arts enrich our homes, wardrobes, offices, public spaces, as well as contribute to our national economy, our balance of trade, and the fabric of our national history. Arts and crafts are original, beautiful, and enduring, and Clifton Forge is displaying the creativity that exists in the community. This year Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, The Historic Masonic Theatre, C&O Railway Heritage Center, Clifton Forge School of the Arts, Blue Spring Run Farm, CafĂ© Museo, Country Garden Florist, and Livy’s Closet are all celebrating the American Craft Week in Clifton Forge. In addition to many craft displays, demonstrations and exhibits, buskers (street entertainers) will also be participating to bring music and dance to the streets of Clifton Forge. Most of the demonstrations will occur between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm every day, and a schedule will be posted at each participation venue. A special emphasis of American Craft Week is to provide activities for children on the two weekends. Patsy’s School of Dance will perform on the Primis Bank parking lot from 1:00 to 1:30 on October 2. The Historic Masonic Theatre and C&O Railway Heritage Center will provide tours and exhibits every day during American Craft Week except Mondays for C&O. Other venues will be open during their usual hours. Check with the participating venue to be certain of the time, and if you have questions. A sampling of activities is listed below with more being planned. All demonstrations, exhibits and displays are free of charge. Tuesday, October 5 to Sunday, October 10: The C&O Railway Heritage Center & The Depot Gift Shop will be open to everyone from Tuesdays through Sunday 10:00 to 4:00 pm. On Saturday October 2 and October 9 a locomotive craft will be available for children to stop by anytime between 11:00 to 3:00 pm. Decorate your own locomotive and participate in a drawing contest to win a prize.   Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 10, The Historic Masonic Theatre will host an American Quilts and Needlecraft Display, WestRock Room and 2nd Floor Conference Room. A large selection of handmade quilts from Alleghany Highlands' Quiltmakers are exhibited, plus, a beautiful and varied selection of needlecraft including hand embroidery, smocking, and hand-crafted vintage clothing. A few antique crazy quilts are also displayed including a 1900 Cigar Quilt made with silk cigar bands. Continuous self-guided Tours, during 11:00 and 3:00, of all four floors of the 1905-Historic Masonic Theatre are available including a seven-minute video of the craft of renovation. Learn about the gathering of oral history of the area in the What's Your Story? exhibit--stories of the Alleghany Highlands featuring C&O Railroad, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Green Pastures and The Historic Masonic Theatre. Learn about the fifth book that is currently being written. Saturday, October 2, 10:00 to 11:30 am, Stained Glass Demo with George Ayers at CafĂ© Museo. Saturday, October 2, 2:00 pm, The Historic Masonic Theatre Lobby, "Tell Me a Story", Ages 4 to 10. Select a surprise from the story bucket and tell a story about your surprise. Story telling expert, Joan Vannorsdall will help you tell your story if you need help, plus story tellers get to keep their surprise! Saturday, October 2, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Bath Art with Paula Pickwick at the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Learn how to make bath bombs that are truly works of art. Dabble in color theory while playing in the tub as you learn what different color combinations will do. Saturday, October 2, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Jewelry-making with Mar Jimenez at CafĂ© Museo. Sunday, October 3, Noon to 2:00 pm, Musical Buskers, members of the Alleghany Highlands Blues Society will play on Main Street in front of The Historic Masonic Theatre. Sunday, October 3, 1:30 to 3:45 pm, Papered Bottles with Nancy Newhard at Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Ages 8 and up. Wear clothing which allows creativity. Depending on the age and skill level of participants, bottles can be made decorated and ready to take home in 30-45minutes. All materials (bottles, decorative papers, markers, glue, etc.) will be supplied- come empty handed and leave with something fun, functional, and hand-crafted- a good definition of craft! Sunday, October 3, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Light Board Demo, all ages. Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium. Ethan and Caleb will show how the spot lights work and participants will be able to choose a color and send to the Theatre stage. Free movie, “Beauty and The Beast” at 3:00 pm at The Historic Masonic Theatre. “Beauty and the Beast” animated movie in The Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium, 3:00 to 4:30. Monday, October 4, 10:00 to Noon, Painting on Glass with Nancy Smith, Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Monday, October 4, Noon to 2:00 pm, Guitarist, Bryan Neal in front of The Historic Masonic Theatre. Tuesday, October 5, 10:00 to Noon, Origami with Karen Brown, Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center Tuesday, October 5, Noon to 2:00 pm. Guitarist, Bryan Neal in front of The Historic Masonic Theatre. Tuesday, October 5, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Basketry with Karen Brown at the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Wednesday, October 6, 10:00 to Noon, Jeweled Tree with Libby Burger, Alleghany Highlands, Arts & Crafts Center. Wednesday, October 6, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Paint Pour with Libby Burger. Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Acrylic paint pouring is a fluid painting technique used to create art by pouring acrylic paint onto a canvas. Many methods can be used to apply the paint to the canvas, achieving a variety of results. Artists of all ages and skill levels can enjoy this technique. Thursday, October 7, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Artisan Soap Making with Debrena Gordon at Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. Making soap does not have to be difficult. Join us as we demonstrate how to make soap that allows you to express yourself and your style! Friday, October 8, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Exhibits at all open participating venues including tours at The Historic Masonic Theatre and C&O Railway Heritage Center. Saturday, October 9, 10:00 to Noon, Photo Restoration with Chuck Alamarez, Clifton Forge School of the Arts. Saturday, October 9, 11:00am to 1:00 pm, Sound and Light Board Hands-On Demo, all ages. The Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium, Ethan and Caleb will show how the spot lights work and participants will be able to choose a color and send to the Theatre stage. Sunday, October 10, noon to 2:00 pm, Members of the Alleghany Highlands Blues Society will entertain on Main Street in front of The Historic Masonic Theatre. Free movie, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” at 3:00 pm at The Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium. Sunday, October 10, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Sound and Light Board Hands-on Demo, all ages. The Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium, Ethan and Caleb will show how the spot lights work and participants will be able to choose a color and send to the Theatre stage. Sunday, October 10, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Wreath Making with Buddy Carter at the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center. A man of many talents, everyone loves Buddy's wreaths. Come watch him make one and be inspired. The American Craft Week Committee led by Connie Baker, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Craft Center welcomes and encourages residents and visitors to experience the creativity and satisfaction of participating in and supporting American Crafts Week. For more information, check on the participating venues Facebook pages and websites.

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