Craig Ragsdale
The vibrant colors of summer will come alive in the mountains this July as the Art League of Highlands‑Cashiers presents the annual Summer Colors Fine Art Show, a celebration of creativity featuring talented local and regional artists. The two‑day event will be held July 18–19 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Sapphire Valley Community Center.
Art enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors are invited to explore a diverse showcase of fine art in a welcoming community setting. The exhibition features works across many mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, pottery, woodworking, and more—each reflecting the unique perspectives found throughout the Highlands‑Cashiers Plateau and surrounding mountain communities.
The Summer Colors Fine Art Show offers the chance to meet artists, learn about their creative processes, and purchase original artwork directly from the creators. From colorful landscapes and nature‑inspired photography to handcrafted pottery and finely crafted wood pieces, the show promises something for every artistic taste.
Sponsored by the Art League of Highlands‑Cashiers, the event continues the organization’s mission of supporting local artists and enriching the cultural life of the plateau. The Art League remains dedicated to promoting fine arts education, appreciation, and opportunities for artists to connect with the public.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the North Carolina mountains, the Sapphire Valley Community Center provides an ideal venue for an inspiring summer outing. Whether you’re an avid collector, a casual admirer, or simply looking for a memorable weekend activity, the Summer Colors Fine Art Show offers a chance to experience the region’s creativity and craftsmanship.
Admission is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to attend both days to fully enjoy the variety of artwork on display. Mark your calendars for July 18–19 and discover the beauty, imagination, and talent waiting at this year’s Summer Colors Fine Art Show.
Featured Artists of the Summer Colors Art Show
Holly Allen was raised in Appalachia, Holly grew up roaming fields and forests with her father, collecting feathers, wildflowers, and pinecones. Those early wanderings never left her. Now her oil and acrylic paintings invite viewers into that same sense of wonder — celebrating the wildlife and wild places that still inspire her today.
HollyAllenFineArt.com hello@hollyallenfineart.com
Deborah Bryant is a fiber artist living in the Cashiers area creating fine handwoven wearables. Each piece begins with the inspiration of the natural world caught in a photograph, brought to life in her studio with hand-dyed yarns, then woven into the soft cotton fabric for each unique accessory.deborahbryanthandwoven.com deborahbryanthandwoven@gmail.com
Zach Claxton is a self-taught oil painter based in Highlands, NC. His representational style spans landscapes, waterscapes, wildlife, and portraits, often inspired by local scenery and national travels. A member of Oil Painters of America, he also serves on the board of the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers.
zachclaxtonart.com zachclaxton@aol.com
Sara Crook is an oil painter who loves to experiment with color and technique, from realism to impressionism. Through her love of nature she enjoys the artistic freedom of creating landscapes and still lifes into her own vision. She says “Creating art is an ongoing joy in my life’s journey – what a blessing!”
sscrook333@gmail.com
Gail Glanz is a mixed‑media artist whose joyful compositions reflect her lifelong passion for color and design. She layers tissue, stencils, acrylics, and found papers to create richly textured works that celebrate expressive creativity and the beautiful possibilities of handmade art.
gailglanz@comcast.net
Leslie Jeffery is a contemporary fine artist known for large abstract compositions. Her work explores rhythm, texture, and emotion through layered color and dynamic form. With series like “Soundscapes” and “Birds and Nests,” she invites viewers into expressive worlds that balance spontaneity with thoughtful structure and visual harmony.
lesliejeffery.art LJArtwork@yahoo.com @lesliejeffery
Jessica D. McMahon is a celebrated figurative artist known for her striking paintings of horses, wildlife, and people. Now featured in the Highlands art community, her work captures strength, grace, and personality through remarkable detail and realism. Drawing inspiration from nature and the equestrian world, McMahon creates paintings that are both powerful and deeply expressive.
jessicadmcmahon@aol.com
Craig Ragsdale is a Greenville, SC palette knife painter whose Carolina Crossroads series captures the soul of the Carolinas — from Lowcountry marshes to Blue Ridge peaks. Working in oil on wood panel, often accented with gold, silver, or copper leaf, his richly textured landscapes and wildlife invite viewers into luminous, familiar places.
craigragsdale.com, craig@craigragsdale.com, @craig_ragsdale
Martha Sutherland-Wright loves whimsy and color. She immersed herself in the clay art form 10 years ago, and is known on the plateau for her signature birdhomes, planters, garden art, vases and other mountain-chic ceramic creations. Her work shows her love of nature and garden!
wayswithclay.com, marthasutherland@charter.net, @marthasutherlandwright
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