Seattle and its iconic Space Needle.
This trip will not be at my usual pace – it’s a very special mother/daughter trip with my Mom who is an active, enthusiastic, 80+.
We begin our trip, after spending a difficult night in Charlotte, with an early flight to the west coast. Between a few issues in our room, a late dinner with my daughter before she headed back to NYC and a very early wake-up, I don’t think either of us slept more than an hour. But lack of sleep did not get in our way of seeing the sights in Seattle.
The early flight allowed us to arrive early enough to have almost a full day to explore. Since Mom hadn’t been before, we stayed downtown in a hotel selected for its view of the Puget Sound; I had pre-arranged an early check-in. From our room we could actually watch the people milling around on the top of the Space Needle. Once settled, we started with a short, downhill walk to Pike Place and a great Dungeness crab roll and cup of clam chowder at Pike Place Chowder (in Post Alley). We had a bit of a wait to get in – but it was worth it. The good reviews did not mislead us.
On the way, we had purchased tickets for one of the local hop-on trolley buses and when we left the seaside market, that’s just what we did. We toured the entire route taking in the sights including Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, museums and the waterfront.
For dinner we headed back to Post Alley, in the Pike Market area and had dinner at The Pink Door. If you weren’t looking for it, you would have no idea that behind this innocuous, pinkish door is an eclectic spot with retro décor, whimsical flair, a charming outdoor dining patio with views of the Sound, and a different style of entertainment.
And the bonus – near perfect weather.
From the Xchange brochure, showing a good overview of the site.
For an art experience even a non-art lover can enjoy, visit the Energy Xchange located between Spruce Pine and Burnsville.
A North Carolina renewable energy center, the Xchange captures methane gas produced from a landfill and uses it to heat greenhouses, and fire pottery kilns and glass blowing furnaces.
Established as a craft business incubator program, a juried panel selects six young artists for three-year residency programs to help them develop craft and business skills. The artists receive mentor support from the jury members as well as free energy to create their masterpieces. You can see them at work, chat about their experience, visit their gallery (purchases are welcome!), and learn more about methane as energy in the on-site educational center. More official tours are available for a small fee and must be arranged in advance.
Open Monday – Friday 10-4; Saturday 9-noon. www.energyxchnage,org 828.675.5541
Kenny Pieper puts the finishing touches on a large bowl from his amber and red Autumn Primavera series. Next up, he will work on pieces from his Cane collection of low-profile bowls featuring the Encalmo (double bubble) technique producing a dramatic, intricate pattern you need to see to appreciate the exquisite detail.
The amazing thing about western North Carolina is finding all the incredible artisans tucked away among the hills and mountains. One of the best known is glass blower Kenny Pieper of Pieper Glass. Located near Burnsville (a short trip from Asheville), in Celo, you will generally find Kenny working in his expansive, airy studio equipped with huge ovens and massive equipment. He makes all his own colors and glass tubes prior to creating a finished piece.
An alumnus of the nearby Penland School of Crafts, he has studied art throughout the U.S. and has a degree from the California College of Arts in Oakland. His pieces are very collectible and most are sold in galleries throughout the country; when visiting his studio be sure to head upstairs for the added bonus of seeing his showroom.
While in the area be sure to stop by other artists, several glass blowers are just minutes away. Google “Glass Studios of the South Toe Valley” for more info; most are open daily 10-5.
Fanciful creations by Jenny Lou Sherburne.
The mountains of North Carolina hide many surprises, and one of the best is the multitude of important artists who are tucked away off grass and gravel lanes. Surrounded by beautiful views, wooded yards and eclectic home sites, you can find some of the best artisans in the U.S. It makes for a very special kind of treasure hunt.
There are hundreds of artists in the western region of the state, with more than 100 in Mitchell and Yancey Counties. Many were drawn here initially by the Penland School of Crafts, a national center for craft education. Operating since the 1920s, the school has attracted Master Teachers and students in the fields of pottery, metal, glass, wood, printmaking, textiles, photography, drawing and more. Once at Penland, many decided to stay, and the area is now home to a wonderful colony of artists. Penland is located between Spruce Pine and Bakersville in Mitchell County.
A good way to learn about the local art community is to participate in a studio tour. The Toe River Studio Tour is scheduled twice a year in June and December, with the final day for the June tour set for tomorrow, June 9. The Toe River Arts Council (TRAC) has a lovely gallery and lots of information about studios and galleries in the area. TRAC hosts the Potters of the Roan exhibition August through September, and the second weekend in October (12th and 13th in 2013) is the popular annual Spruce Pine Potters Market.
Studio tours and visits by appointment make for an incredibly personal experience. The artists are very accessible and engaging, making it really enjoyable to chat about their techniques and the evolution of their art. When tours or exhibitions are not scheduled, you can often call and set a time to stop by and visit.
In addition to studios, the area is also home to many fine galleries, so be sure to stop and check them out. When you need a break, the knife & fork in Spruce Pine features delicious lunch and dinner options with a local farm-to-table menu inspired by mountain traditions. 828-765-1511
For information check out: http://www.toeriverarts.org; for class schedules, tours and gallery hours visit: http://www.penland.org
