When fall swings into high gear in West Virginia; Tamarack’s schedule also turns especially colorful. According to Events Director Kelly Elkins, September and October are especially hectic with holiday preparations right around the corner.
Demonstrations include artisans who work in pottery, handbags, quilts and fabric décor, carved stone, stained glass, carved wood, dolls, bath and body, metal and musical instruments.
“Our artisans cover nearly every media and every price point in the fall demonstrations,” said Elkins. Long-time artist Jo Brewer returns with her array of fabric seasonal dolls Oct. 3-5. “It’s a good mix of veterans with their well-known products and some new variations along with new-to-us folks getting to know the Tamarack guests.”
Food tasters are also a diverse group visiting Tamarack in the fall with a product mix to include meat varnish, jams, jellies, salsas, relishes, candies, and beans and lentil soup and mixes. “Lem’s Meat Varnish caught everyone’s attention with their name, and the always popular coal candy returns Oct. 17 when Sweeteez is onsite for tastings,” Elkins continued.
October boasts a full slate of awareness activities as well. Tamarack joins the American Craft Council for American Craft Week Oct. 3-12. This national event endorses and promotes the retail stores, galleries, studios, and other venues and individuals who create America’s handcrafts.
And, for the 5th year, Tamarack will display the world’s longest pink scarf during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Started locally as part of Terri’s Tribute, the knitted and crocheted pieces now total over 8,500 feet and lack 14 states from including all 50 US states. Guests may leave notes for loved ones to pin to the scarf and take home instructions to add to the scarf themselves. Artisans who create pink products for sale at Tamarack donate individually to the cause.
The next Tamarack Gallery Exhibition opens Sunday, Oct. 5, according to Gallery Manager Molly Halstead. The theme “Origins” encourages artists from all media to explore beginnings, firsts and other images the word brings to mind. A meet-the-artist reception will be held at 3 p.m. that day in the David L. Dickirson Fine Art Gallery.
The Tamarack Conference Center is now accepting reservations for holiday off site catering and in-house events. Call 304-256-6843, ext. 168 for details.
Open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tamarack is located in Beckley off Exit 45 from I-77/64. For details about events, reservations, tickets, menus, retail products and more, call 1-88-TAMARACK or visit tamarackwv.com. Tamarack is also available Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
