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Behind-the-scenes tour of Valdese Weavers offered

Photo contributed | Byrd Cronwell of Valdese

Thomas Modak gets a lesson from wood carver Jesse Wilkinson at the Valdese Heritage Arts Center.

From staff reports

news@morganton.com

Published: December 22, 2009

RUTHERFORD COLLEGE - Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Valdese Weavers plant from 10 a.m. until noon Jan. 5 with the Hickory Museum of Art.

The free tour is offered in conjunction with the museum's "Valdese Weavers Textile Design: Inspiration to Interpretation" exhibit, currently on display through Jan. 10.

The exhibit includes approximately 40 pieces of artwork next to the fabrics that inspired them. A living room vignette allows visitors to interact with the exhibition.

Valdese Weavers has operated in Rutherford College for almost 100 years and is one of the largest domestic weaving mills. The company supplies furniture makers and interior decorators with upholstery; specialty companies with drapery and bedding fabrics and restaurants; and restaurants, businesses and hotels with hospitality and contract fabrics.

Valdese Weavers operates almost entirely vertically, producing raw yarns and dye, weaving and finishing goods in-house.

The Hickory Museum of Art is a United Arts Council of Catawba County Funded Affiliate and is located in the SALT Block Arts and Science Center of the Catawba Valley, 243-3rd Ave., Hickory.

Advanced registration for the tour is required by Tuesday. Tour participants must wear closed toed shoes. Call Joyce Simpson at the Hickory Museum of Art at 327-8576. For more information visit www.HickoryArt.org.