A Weekend of Art and Antiques

BRAHM Hosts 3rd Annual Art and Antique Show July 30 to August 2

Story by Anna Oakes

Make room on your walls, in your living room or in your garden for a lovely piece of art or a fine antique from the 3rd annual Art and Antique Show sponsored by the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM). The four-day event takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 30 to August 2, at the Blowing Rock Elementary School gymnasium on Morris Street.

The event begins with a Silver Tea and Early Bird Sale at the elementary school from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. Tickets to the Early Bird Sale are $25, providing shoppers an exclusive first look at the items available for sale.

Tickets for the remaining three days of the sale are $10. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

About 20 selected vendors from throughout the eastern United States will showcase their treasures, including silver, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, rugs, crystal and garden accoutrements. 

“There’s something for everyone,” said Joann Mitchell, executive director of BRAHM. “There’s all kinds of artifacts, from very expensive jewelry, pottery, crystal and clocks, to very affordable collectables. The dealers make a lot of effort to vary their products so there is something for everyone.”

At the show, attendees can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win unique donated items. Tickets will be drawn and winners announced each afternoon. Shoppers can also enjoy homemade sandwiches, desserts and drinks from the volunteer-operated BRAHM Café.

Proceeds from admission tickets benefit BRAHM. The museum does not make any money from sales, however.

“We’re very interested in having a lot of people come,” Mitchell added.

On June 7, BRAHM broke ground on a new three-story museum facility to be located at the corner of Chestnut and Wallingford streets in downtown Blowing Rock. The museum is scheduled for completion in about two years, Mitchell said. Once the facility is constructed, BRAHM plans to hold the Art and Antique Show at the museum.

“It will be a lot better for us if we can have it in our building,” said Mitchell, adding that Blowing Rock Elementary has been very cooperative and helpful in accommodating the event the past three years.

Advance tickets are available at Carriage Trade Antiques and Finley House Antiques on Main Street in Blowing Rock. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Parking is available at the school.

“As always, there are many activities going on in Blowing Rock this summer, and this particular weekend is going to be one of the busiest,” said Lynn Drury, chair of BRAHM’s summer programs. “We are expecting a capacity crowd, so buy your tickets, invite your friends and come early for the best shopping.”

For more information, call 828-295-9099 or click to www.blowingrockmuseum.org.

The New Museum

Founded in 1999 in response to a generous offer of Elliott Daingerfield artwork, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) is a nonprofit organization located in Blowing Rock.

BRAHM plans to build a three-story, 23,188-square-foot museum building at the corner of Chestnut and Wallingford streets in downtown Blowing Rock. The project is a joint public-private venture between the Town of Blowing Rock and BRAHM because the facility will also include an adjacent two-level, 58-space public parking deck.

The museum is designed for five galleries, a 1,700-square-foot education facility, an 1,850-square-foot meeting room, an 800-square-foot Historical Society room and a 600-square-foot library.

The tract on which the museum will be constructed stretches from Main Street to Wallingford Street, directly across from Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Town of Blowing Rock acquired the property in 2001, and in August 2003, BRAHM received a five-year lease on the property. The recently renovated Edgewood Cottage—former home of Daingerfield—also sits on the tract.

The town renewed the lease with BRAHM and the organization broke ground on the new museum on June 7. Joann Mitchell, executive director of BRAHM, said the museum is slated for completion in two years.