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A Banner Year, Cashiers Flags
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2018/07 - July
It’s a banner year. The Cashiers Plein Air Art Festival will make its colorful splash on The Village Green July 17 through 21. Cashiers is abuzz with news of the stunning, hand-painted flags flying in the festival’s honor.
Throughout history flags announced events such as a royal wedding, visiting dignitaries, or a sports competition. The tradition lives on as beautiful outdoor flags wave at the intersection of 64 and 107 and around the Green, welcoming visitors, residents, and fine artists from all over the nation participating in the juried Plein Air Art Festival.
Landscape Architect and Project Chairwoman Mary Palmer Dargan says, “Think of the flags as a fringe of Charleson’s Spoletto: the Piccolo Plein Air Art Fest, Cashiers-style.”
Original flag emblems include mountain sunsets, fly-fishing, barnyard scenes, flowers, gardens, white squirrels, mountains, rivers, barns, and icons of the region to announce this summer’s celebration. Painters donated their time and talent as a gift to the Green. Flags will be auctioned at a date to be announced.
Come celebrate the anniversary of the 5th Cashiers Plein Air Art Festival. Since 2010, when the first art flags appeared to herald the biennial event, over 35 local artists have participated. Among the first artists were Carroll Rivers, Eli Corbin, Daryl Shankland, Mandy Buckhannon, Doug Gifford, and Shari Erikson. This year, watch for some new flag painters, too.
Flags are made of quality canvas, carefully reinforced and prepared for Plateau wind and weather. Dargan Landscape Architects proudly underwrote the flag canvas, stitching, sealing, and assembly. Jennings Hardware donated the rebar hanging system. Randy Bryson of Bryson’s Rockyard contributed the traditional black locust posts. And co-chair Jennifer Lown assisted in the organization of it all.
To learn more about the flags, their creators, and the Green, meet at the Village Green Commons at 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 6. Mary Palmer Dargan will lead/curate a free half-hour+ tour. It’s a must-attend activity to learn about the flag that best suits your land and garden. Get ready to bid!
Proceeds from the flags and plein air event go to the maintenance of the Village Green and its hard-working director’s salary. Support the Green while giving yourself a gift of beauty. For more information about the flags, the patron’s party (Palette to Palate), and live demonstrations by the artists, visit cashierspleinairfestival.com.
