Count the sheep and artists at "Potluck in a Pasture"

Posted Sunday, July 8, 2007

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Silk Hope, NC - You can count the sheep, the artists and the local ingredients at the next "Potluck in a Pasture" sponsored by ChathamArts on Sunday July 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pugh's Cedarbrakes Sheep Farm pasture near Silk Hope. Watch Fred and Barbara Pugh's sheepdogs round up the herd while you listen to Celtic harp music, meet local artists and enjoy a farm-fresh supper in a bucolic setting.

Featured artists include: Lisa and Karl Janson, creators of handmade birch kitting needles, crochet hooks and tools; Sue Szary, a spinner who owns Cashmere goats and Icelandic sheep; weaver Pat Randorf; Celtic harpist Dora Owens; and metal artist Roger Lamana.

The idea for the potluck series is to celebrate the local food and artists that are crucial to Chatham's rural economy and culture. Visitors are asked to bring a potluck dish for eight made with at least one local ingredient, and a copy of the recipe for our Potluck cookbook. It's a good idea to bring hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and a lawn chair or blanket.

Adults and children over 12 are asked to donate $10 ($8 for ChathamArts members), and $5 for children under 12 ($4 for members); free for children under 5. Proceeds benefit ChathamArts, the non-profit county arts council that supports diverse arts and cultural programs in the schools and the community throughout the year.

To reach Pugh's sheep pasture, take U.S. 64 or U.S. 64 bypass west of U.S. 15-501 in Pittsboro. About 2 miles after the bypass ends turn right on WR Clark/Butner Road, go north 2.7 miles, follow the Potluck signs and turn right at the electric fence. For further details or weather information on Potluck day call 919.219.9840.

The Potluck in a Pasture series will conclude on Sunday August 19 at Harland's Creek Farm located on Plantation Drive, four miles west of Pittsboro off U.S. 64 business via Manco Dairy Road. ChathamArts invites the public to come at 5 p.m. for its annual meeting, followed by the final potluck supper featuring local artists from 6 to 8 p.m. Featured artists will include ceramicist Salinda Dahl, sculptor Susan Draughon, wood turner Joel Hunnicutt and potter Melody Troncale, with music by Laine Lipson (vocalist) and Avis Autry (keyboards) performing standards from the 1930s and '40s.

Local food ingredients for your pot-luck may come from your own backyard or neighboring farms, from local farmers' markets at the Chatham County Fairgrounds in Pittsboro (Thursdays), Fearrington Village (Tuesdays), in downtown Siler City (Saturdays), at Southern Village (Thursdays) and in Carrboro (Wednesdays and Saturdays), or from Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro and Weaver Street in Southern Village and Carrboro.

ChathamArts also exhibits and sells the work of local artists at its gallery at 115 Hillsboro Street in historic downtown Pittsboro. Open every Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and First Sunday's from 12 noon to 5 pm when other Pittsboro shops, eateries and galleries are open with arts and crafts for sale on the sidewalks.