It's not May. Heck, it isn't even warm out. But it IS time to think about the Carolina Folk Art Festival presented by Maddi's Gallery. Our "Call for Artists" is out and the material should be posted on our web-site in a few days. So here are the basics:

The Festival is held at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. Artists set up right along the Village Green in the center of the main street. Most spaces are on the grass and at least 10' x 10', nestled between the trees and lightposts so you do have room to spread out.

The official hours are Saturday May 15 from 10 to 6 and Sunday, May 16 from 11 to 6. Again this year we are planning an Artist Breakfast compliments of Maddi's Southern Bistro before we open on Sunday. If you come in Friday afternoon and set-up it is fine with us if you open for sales.

There is an early-bird booth fee of $195 until February 28 and then after March 1, the fee is $250. There is no jury fee and Maddi's takes no commission. We always have a great group of artists and a lot of fun, so let us know if you are interested as soon as possible. E-mail us at info@maddisgallery.com or call 704-332-0007.

This year's logo contest was won by Georgia folk artist, Bailey Jack. She's won a free booth and $500 in cold, hard cash. Come see her and her very fun work at the Festival. Congratulations, Bailey Jack!

Happy 2010!

Now that's a very familiar picture...oh, my...it's Maddi's! What fun to see our Charlotte gallery on the cover of the new issue of Niche Magazine. And the story by Asheville writer Marla Hardee Miller is great, too. Oh, and did we mention the pictures by Charlotte photographer Michael LoBiondo?

Actually, it is a thrill, but we want to thank everyone who has supported Maddi's and helped make this happen. We are lucky to have a wonderful family and staff working at Maddi's every day. Certainly we are fortunate to sell unique, creative and well-made products by artists we love meeting. And our customers, many of whom said, they knew all along Maddi's was the top gallery, well, they have seen us grow from a peanut-size gallery and cheered us all the way. Thanks, this is a wonderful honor and a lot of fun. And now back to earning the title!

Merry Christmas!

What a weekend! Snow in Birkdale made it really look and feel like Christmas, but we could have done without that ice. Even though we had to close early there Friday, the Dilworth gallery saw record crowds both Friday and Saturday and Birkdale rebounded for Saturday and Sunday.

Madis and I want wish all our customers the happiest of holidays. We hope all the gifts you selected at Maddi's make the people you love very happy. It's a time for bright lights, warm fires and hopeful children. We hope you can relax and enjoy them all - it's a special time of the year!

It's Party Time

Mark your calendars for next Sunday, December sixth. It's Maddi's Annual Holiday Party at both galleries. We are filled to the rafters with wonderful ideas for holiday gifting and decorating, and this party is our customers' all-time favorite.

In addition to nibblies and cups of cheer, you can enjoy our famous "Pick-a-Pop" discount. Everything in the gallery is on sale, 10-40% off, depending on your luck pulling the perfect lollipop. And the entire crowd enjoys the results.

A few years ago, a gentleman spent a long time considering a major purchase, a large Chris Roberts-Antieau piece. Having finally decided to go for it, he drew his pop and earned a 35% discount. His wife told us later they put the magic pop on the mantle under the picture.

So make it to Maddi's this Sunday and you will save on everything you purchase! The Charlotte gallery is open noon until 6 p.m. and the Birkdale gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Holidays from everyone at Maddi's!

Charlotte's New Arts District

Timing is everything. Just a few years ago, when all seemed well in the world of banking, Wachovia undertook building a new headquarters building surrounded by an arts complex. That building is nearing completion, although now it is slated to become the headquarters for Duke Energy.

And the wonderful arts district is becoming a vibrant reality. The Knight Theatre debuted last month with Steve Martin on banjo and bluegrass music, too. It will be the new home of the North Carolina Dance Theater. Then a week ago the new Harvey Gantt African-American Center opened to rave reviews. Built on a very narrow strip of land, the architecture is exciting and the galleries are beautiful.

Scheduled to open next, in early January, is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. With its terra cotta exterior, the building is the inspired design of noted Swiss architect Mario Botta. The museum will house the collection of Andreaes Bechtler and his family, featuring mid-century European modern masters.

As a prelude, Mr. Bechtler was on hand last week for the installation and unveiling of "Firebird" a huge mirrored mosaic by Niki de Saint Phalle. The seventeen foot colossal bird has received a warm welcome by Charlotteans and the excitement generated by the new arts district may be the city's 2009 highlight.

Billie Beads Are Beautiful

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who just tickles our fancy. And no one has done that to me more than Billie Tanner. I first saw her work in New York years ago and just knew I needed some of it close by.

Billie and her husband Bob Nielson are both trained sculptors. But instead of creating huge statues, they turned their attention to polymer clay, Swarovski crystals and small objects. Lucky us! Their work is fastidious, fun and fanciful. It makes you smile. And in a mass produced world, their careful creations are amazing stars.

Christmas wouldn't be the same at Maddi's without Billie's tree brooches, and we just couldn't have Valentine's Day without the wonderful pins. As the hearts also have a bail, several of us have added all sorts of baubles and beads to make our Billie hearts the centerpieces of fantastic necklaces. And in this year of uncertain fortunes, we asked Billie for a piggy bank, a perfect place for the few pennies we can manage to save.

Be sure to see these amazing creations this season. They are in both Maddi's and on-line in the Art Jewelry section. They are small, but oh, so dazzling!

Maddi's New Venture: The Celia Flock Art Calendar

Have you seen the 2010 Celia Flock Art Calendar? Of course we're a bit prejudiced, but it really is quite wonderful! In each calendar packet there are twelve pieces of art, one for each month of the year. Pop it into a frame, and voila, you have a new piece of handsome art each month!

Celia Flock is a native North Carolinian and Charlotte resident. She graduated with a BFA from UNC and for her entire life she has been an artist. Her work has wide recognition: exhibitions at galleries including Duke University, Hodges Taylor, and Jerald Melburg; first prize in painting at the Coconut Grove Art Festival; and a North Carolina Arts Council Visual Artist Fellowship Award.

When Celia submitted her work to the Maddi's Artist Jury two years ago, we were immediately impressed and excited. As a result, she created two prints of the Charlotte skyline which we have sold at the galleries. They have been so popular, we asked Celia if she wanted to do an art calendar. Her response, "I've already started one!"

Celia's images are very bright and colorful and they have a definite Southern flavor. From January's cotton bouquet to July's peaches, Celia uses everyday images from her life's experience to brighten every month. To see every image, go to http://www.maddisgallery.com/ and click on the calendar.

Of course, the calendar is for sale at both Maddi's and on-line, too. And you will begin to see it in many other fine stores: Cameron's in Chapel Hill, all the Mast General Stores in western NC, Paper Skyscraper, Paper Twist and Buttercup here in Charlotte, the Sanctuary in Davidson and many more. Our new venture is off and running.

And if you're looking for the perfect holiday gift, put this fun new calendar on your list. There are two sizes for both wall and desktop and Maddi's has inexpensive frames as well. And it's the beginning of a wonderful tradition...we're already planning 2011!