Smoky Mountain News

February 7, 2023

This February, the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) in Waynesville is all about love — for your friends and family, for your animals, for yourself, and of course, for art. 

“We want to be part of our community’s celebration of this place and each other,” said Morgan Beryl, HCAC’s executive director. “It’s important to HCAC to provide varied opportunities to share the love of art so people of all walks of life can take part.”

For this month, HCAC has created many ways to get involved in the creative process. At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, HCAC and Bosu’s Wine Shop will hold the first “Wine & Workshop” of the season at the shop in Waynesville. Attendees will be treated to a flight of three wines, individual charcuterie boards, and two crafts, one stitching and one collage, all of which will be led by artist members Barbara Brook and Dori Settles.  

“We’ll take a little felt and thread and create Valentines from the heart with one of the latest trends in textile arts, slow stitching. This is a wonderful form of mindfulness which is a true form of self-love,” Settles said. 

Tickets are limited to 10 and need to be purchased in advance for $75 online at haywoodarts.org/wine-workshop-series. 

For those looking to get a gift that keeps on giving, there’s the “Give a HeART Project.” HCAC artist members donated their time and skills to create one-of-a-kind art hearts as part of their donation to HCAC’s “Love the Arts Main Street” campaign, which seeks to create a sustainable funding source to keep HCAC in their prime location in downtown Waynesville. 

“This project is a partnership between the artist and the art lover,” Beryl said. 

When someone buys a heart, they join the artist on the Love the Arts digital donor wall and they both become part of the campaign. 

“We love supporting HCAC to promote its mission. The challenge of creating a unique piece is always fun,” said Lisa Townsend of Mojo Stained Glass, a husband and wife team who create mosaic stones and stained glass pieces often out of vintage window frames.  

Finally, throughout the month of February, HCAC is participating in the Downtown Waynesville Commission’s “Love the Locals” campaign. Locals can purchase Haywood Handmade merchandise for 20% off, including 2023 calendars, youth craft kits, locally designed and printed T-shirts, and more. 

The Haywood Handmade Gallery in downtown Waynesville is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. 

For more information, click on haywoodarts.org.