Our Home
Appalachia
Creating Conditions Favorable for Community Life
What is Grassroots Appalachia?
Grassroots Appalachia is people. It is people that share a spirit and grit that guides them through tough times; it is also the source of creative energy and passion for beauty and bounty of the mountains in which we live. Indeed, Lenoir and the entire Western North Carolina region has an abundance of artistic and creative people. We are thrilled that we are fortunate enough to collaborate with many of them. For the people, we are an Art Gallery, Fair Trade Arts & Crafts Store and Listening and Gathering Space.
Calendar of Events
Tuesday, Oct. 6 @ 6:30 p.m.: Caldwell County musicians Bob Kogut and Terry Edwards will be hosting an acoustic Song Circle. Edwards says, “This will be a casual, laid back, unplugged sharing and jamming on old material and new favorites. Bring your instruments or just your ears. This event is free to everyone who wants to enjoy an intimate setting for songwriters and pickers to share their talents.”
Tuesday, Oct. 13 @ 7 p.m. thru Nov. 14: Art Exhibit – “The Spirit of Appalachia” is rooted in these ancient mountains. “The Spirit of Appalachia” has a focus on the life-giving properties of water. We have a fly-tying display and ties with more to come. We even have hats with flies in them. Many of the paintings are of rivers. The Yadkin River, with its headwaters just a few miles up the mountain from Lenoir is an inspiration for a Lynn Downham painting, and is grouped with a painting from 1925 that led one visitor to comment, as he pointed at a shade tree along the river, “That’s where I’d stand and cast.”
Exhibit Artisans
Painters
- Vannah Aldridge (2 works)
- Lynn Downham (4 works, counting that of Shirley Story)
- Kathy Rosenberger (3 works)
- Tonja Smith (8 works)
- Matthew Strawn (4 works)
Writers
- Alen D. Baker (3 titles)
- Michael Barrick (1 title)
- Thomas Blanton (5 titles)
- Karin Seuren Davidson (1 title)
- Tony Deal (3 titles)
- Gretchen Griffith and collaborators (8 titles)
- Lou Perez (1 title)
- Tonja Smith (2 titles – for children)
- Carol Starr (1 title)
- Lucy Wilkes (2 titles)
- Foothills Writers (2 titles)
Craftspeople
- David Anders (Fly-tying)
- Karin Davidson (Shawls, shawl pins, fingerless gloves, Goat Milk soap, pin cushions)
- Amber Shoemake (Jewelry)
- Barbara Volk (Tinctures and Ointment)
Sculptor
Joseph Bigley (4 pieces)
Woodworker
Allyn Barrick (4 tables and more)
November 18 – December 22: Fair Trade Arts & Crafts Sale. Details to follow.
Hand-Crafted Appalachian Gifts
When you shop at our Appalachian Fair Trade Store, you are not only purchasing outstanding art and crafts made by the hands and heart, you are helping a neighbor. Virtually every item you will find here is made in Appalachia. Following is a sampling of what is in stock. Check back regularly, as we are adding hand-crafted items on a regular basis.
Have creations you want to share? Contact Us
If you are a creative or performing artist, author or craftsperson and wish to have your creations at Grassroots Appalachia, call 828-383-4606 or email michaelbarrick56@gmail.com.
Art
We recently welcomed a new artist, Tonja Smith, who did the illustrations for Tony Deal’s book, “But that’s not true!” Her work is now on display.
Books
Gretchen Griffith books: Called to the Mountain, Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County, Fly Fishers of the Caldwell County Area, Southern Fly Tyers, Separated by Oceans but Connected by Love, The Physician and the Forester, and With God and My Mother’s Prayers.
FOOTHILLS WRITERS: Carol Starr, Ripples (poetry); Karin Seuren Davidson, I Walk Through Silent Woods (poetry); Lucy Wilkes, Trev Tracker and Cackle, Packle and Friends; Thomas Blanton, On the Other Hand, Sermons Preached in a Country Church, The Unintentional Gospel, Ridge Runner and Who Killed Me?; and, the Foothills Writers: Our Foothills Vol. IV and Things That Haunt Us.
Tony Deal’s modern fable, But that’s not true is available, as are his two other books, Prostate Humor and Bouquet’s Hadn’t Been Invented Yet; so is Michael Barrick’s Fractured Sanctuary.
Fiber Arts & Sculpture
Karin Davidson can generally be found here on Thursday for a few hours demonstrating her weaving skills. You can take a turn as well! She also has shawls, shawl pins, pin cushions, fingerless gloves and goat milk soap for sale. At the far end of the table is a sculpture by Joseph Bigley.
Fishing Flies
We are pleased to now be carrying fishing flies made by David Anders.
Jewelry
Amber Shoemake offers a wide arrange of colorful and unique bracelets, earrings and necklaces. It is displayed on a Purpleheart wood table by Allyn Barrick.
Tinctures & Wood Products
Herbalist Barbara Volk of West Virginia provides us with tinctures and ointment. You can learn about Barbara here, here, and here. Her products sit on a Katalox wood table with hairpin legs, hand crafted by Allyn Barrick. For sale.
We are also pleased to offer Our State magazine for sale.
More About Us
Calendar of Events
Music
October 6: 6:30 p.m.: Unplugged Song Circle with local musicians.
“The Spirit of Appalachia”
October 13 – November 14: Art Exhibit and workshops.
November 18 – December 22: Fair Trade Arts & Crafts Sale
Fair Trade Arts & Crafts
We offer a mix of retail products, partnering with local and regional artisans, authors and craftspeople so that Appalachians can exhibit their talents and earn money.
Our partners wish to pass on vital Appalachian traditions and folkways to subsequent generations. The intention is to create opportunities for cottage industries to emerge to the benefit of Appalachian communities.
Listening and Gathering Space
Teachers, musicians, artists, poets, actors, potters, fiber artists, woodworkers, sculptors and others involved in the creative and performing arts are essential for a vibrant, energetic community.
We are committed to helping established and emerging creative and performing artists have the listening and gathering space suited to demonstrate their talents.
Ticket Policy for Performance Arts
Consistent with our philosophy to operate as a Fair Trade venue, we do not charge for events, except in rare cases. Admission is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. We accept donations. In this way, those able and generous can help others that otherwise would not be able to enjoy our performers.
Alcohol Policy
NOTE: Grassroots Appalachia does not sell or allow alcohol on our premises.
