The Kingsport Senior Center is hosting a one-day Spring Artisan Fair later this month at the Kingsport Renaissance Center. The event will showcase the artistic creations of our local senior citizens.
The fair will take place in the atrium at the senior center (1200 E. Center Street) on March 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Come out to the senior center and enjoy browsing through the many baskets, greeting cards, jewelry, woodworking pieces, decorative items, hand sewn and crocheted creations, and much more for sale. All of these handcrafted items were made by our wonderful Kingsport Senior Artisans.
For more information about the event call (423) 765-9047. For information about other events, activities and programs at the Kingsport Senior Center, please visit seniors.kingsporttn.gov.

Make your own bracelet in this Beaded Link Bracelet workshop!

We’ll be making these cute, swirled link bracelets in a 90 minute workshop. Choose from a wide array of beads and learn to create this bracelet completely from scratch, including forming your own clasp. This is a great class for beginners as we’ll learn basic plier skills, and is a fun project for higher skill levels as well!
You have the option to use sterling silver instead of copper for an additional $5 on the ticket price–just pick the “sterling silver” ticket.
Age 10+ (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
Beginner Friendly!

Local artist Linore Huss has always been adventurous and creative. From general arts and folk dance to fiber and jewelry to ceramics and metalsmithing, Linore loves to explore new mediums, and the world around her is always an opportunity to find new shapes and textures. She encourages her students to show creativity in every process, and loves when they teach her something new as they come in with open eyes and minds.
Linore graduated with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Ceramics in 2018 and has since spent time as the Head of Metals and Glass at Camp Matoaka in Maine, Metals Studio Assistant at Arrowmont, and a ceramics and jewelry teacher for kids and adults in the Tri-Cities area.

Storytelling Through Fiber Art, A show full of exquisitely rendered fiber art pieces, has just opened in Create Appalachia’s Downtown Kingsport gallery space. This exhibit features the work of Blacksburg Virginia artist Karin Täuber, whose art  presents a variety of themes including nature, folk tales, travel, dementia, and more. Each piece tells a story, addressing social and political issues, drawing attention to Appalachia’s flora and fauna, and visually recounting fairy tales and narrating books.
“There always seems to be a new technique to explore,” says Täuber. “Every time I try something different, it sends me off on a new adventure. My quilts are an expression of that journey, sometimes carefully planned, organized, colorful, and complicated, and on occasion the result is just a happy accident.” However they happen to come into being, Täuber’s works are certain to delight, challenge, and inspire viewers–especially those who wield a needle themselves.
Born and raised in Germany, Täuber settled in Virginia in 1999. Her international background inspires her quilting and helps her create. She has been quilting since her late twenties and has created quilts in various sizes, colors, techniques, and shapes. Formerly a Montessori teacher, she started to lecture and teach quilt classes after her daughters were born. Täuber is the founder of the Hachinger Quilt Festival in Munich, Germany, and the Blue Ridge Quilt Festival in Blacksburg, VA. Täuber finds inspiration in her own snapshots, pictures and stories of the mystical world, and impressions from her travels. Her award-winning work has been exhibited at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, in the US Ambassador’s residence in Timor Leste and the Virginia Quilt Museum. It has traveled around the US as well as Europe and Asia. Her artistry has been featured in several books and magazines and can be found in several private collections. Since 2013, Täuber has written the monthly e-newsletter SWVA Quilt News, announcing quilt-related activities and events in Southwest Virginia and surrounding states.
Storytelling Through Fiber Art runs until Friday, March 28th. An artist reception will be held from 6 PM to 7:30 on Thursday, March 27th and is free open to the public. The artist will be present to talk about her work and meet the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Create Appalachia’s gallery is at 225 W Center Street, Kingsport, The building is open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, except on Federal holidays. There is free parking in the Shelby Street garage (215 Shelby Street), along Center Street in front of the building, and on Clay Street. For more details on the exhibit and/or reception visit createappalachia.org or send your questions to katie@createappalachia.org.