The farm show gala opening is part of an Artwalk that begins at Mountain Laurel Crafts on the square from 5 to 7:30pm where guests are treated to American art and fine crafts from more than 100 artists.

At the Ice House, the farm show opening includes the traditional music of Joe Herrmann and Joe Fallon presented by Washington Homeopathic Products. Special reception food is presented by Berkeley House. On Saturday from 10am to 2pm, the Farm Show features a special Introduction to Spinning class by exhibited artist Susan Elkin.

Curator Sam Herrmann is both a traditional hammer dulcimer musician and artisan worker in wool. Both these art forms inspired her vision of this show. "I was looking to capture both activities and the flavor of farm life using the work of a number of artists I know," said Herrmann. "Many of them are from West Virginia and live and work in the farm setting."

The woodcut and linoleum prints from Berkeley Springs artist, Jan Heath, exemplify the connection between farm life and fine art. Heath's dramatic Barred Plymouth Rock chicken print was used for the postcard advertising the show. "We used to raise those chickens," she said. "The texture and pattern of their feathers translate well into print design." Heath also has sheep prints in the show. Another Berkeley Springs artist, Lynn Lavin, is displaying her whimsical ceramic sculptures including a rabbit carrying a vegetable platter.

Several other artists in the exhibit are showing work that is more directly connected to the fine crafts once commonplace in rural life. One of the most unexpected of the creations on display are the buttons of Susan Shobe made from deer antlers. "People bring me antlers," says Shobe who lives on a mountaintop in Hardy County. "I use a bandsaw to cut the antlers in slices, a drill press to make the holes, and then a lot a sanding to make them smooth." Shobe uses the antler tips for toggle buttons.

The black ash baskets of James Eaves are made from logs found around his cabin in nearby Hedgesville. Eaves raises the practical to the artistic with decorative touches like pelts on his quiver baskets. Betsy Viola is showing both painted fiber art as well as her special handmade soaps with ingredients developed from aromatherapy.

Knitters will find an abundance of rare and artistic fibers for their work on display. Lee Cizewski of neighboring Hampshire County makes her alpacas a full spectrum career that includes raising the animals and offering them as outside decor to visitors at her guest house. She will have wool available as will Maureen Pritchard, the Barefoot Spinner.

The curated gallery exhibit produced by the Morgan Arts Council is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is located on the corner of Independence and Mercer and is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. For more information call 258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.