Traditional Arts Today: New arts nonprofit in Ferdinand launches this weekend

Traditional Arts Today is a new nonprofit center launched by Ann Knebel and her husband Ed Kornegay in Ferdinand designed to give artists a space to display and sell their work as well as provide classes in traditional arts.

The grand opening for Traditional Arts Today Creating Connections is this weekend in the historic Peter Muller home at 314 West 9th Street in Ferdinand. A reception will be held on June 1 from 12 to 8 p.m. with a ribbon cutting conducted by the Ferdinand Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m. and complimentary (locally produced) beer, wine and snacks following.

The party continues on Saturday, June 2, with demonstrations of traditional arts throughout the afternoon. Demonstration scheduled for Saturday, June 2 begin at 12 p.m. and they include sculpting, weaving, basket weaving and rug hooking. At 2 p.m. knitting, crocheting, spinning (with a live alpaca on site) and embroidery demonstrations will begin.

Coffee, tea and muffins will be provided for shoppers on June 3, during the final day of the grand opening gala from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The shop is filled with a myriad of handmade, lovingly crafted items and art, beautiful gifts for men, women and children, festive home decor, gorgeous jewelry, stunning rugs, afghans, pottery, sculpture, shawls and scarves, baby quilts, knitted baby dresses, handmade soap and knitted washcloths, amazing woodworking, handwoven baskets and so much more.

More information is available at www.TraditionalArtsToday.org.

A story on the new organization is featured this week in the Ferdinand News.