Call for Artists

Celebrating the Arts in Saluda

SALUDA, NC. -- Three years after the first passenger train panted up Saluda Grade, what was known then as Pace’s Gap became the chartered town of Saluda in February 1881. Celebrating its heritage and arts culture, the Saluda Business Association is pleased to announce its sixth annual Arts & Music Festival scheduled for May 16, 2009 in historic downtown Main Street in Saluda.

Featuring more than 50 talented artists from Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina, visitors will see a dazzling diversity of art media including oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, pottery, wood turning, blacksmithing, sculpture, jewelry, painted furniture, stained glass, and more.

In addition to art exhibits, festival goers will be entertained by a variety of musical performances.

Applications for participation can be downloaded from the www.saluda.com web site (after January 25) or by contacting Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or Catherine Ross at 828-243-8696 or email at sswelsh@tds.net for more information. Applications are due by April 1, 2009.

"Saluda abounds with natural assets. It’s our duty to the heritage of Saluda to celebrate and promote its artistic culture, historic buildings, and the natural beauty of our mountains and waterfalls," said spokesperson for the SBA, Cathy Jackson.

Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saluda is a great place to visit. Visitors experience a slower pace of life, a warm community spirit, good food, leisurely strolls among tree-lined streets of lovely Victorian homes, and browse the many distinctive shops along historic Main Street.