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Feature article
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Long-time vendors return for 30th annual Christmas Connection
By Leigh Ann Laube
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Raymond Williams figures he’s participated in just about every single Christmas Connection. At 80-plus years old, he’ll be there again this weekend with his paintings, and he expects you’ll see him there next year, too.
Williams will join vendors from five states at the 30th annual Christmas Connection, the arts and crafts show sponsored by the Cultural Arts Division of Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation department.
The Civic Auditorium will be filled with hand-made clothing, stained-glass, jewelry, original photography, delicate woodworking, floral arrangements, Christmas ornaments, baked goods, toys, watercolors, paintings, figurines, pottery, baskets, candles, tapestries, heated pillows, needlework, dolls and more.
Williams primarily paints landscapes, but he has prints as well.
“I’ve been at it all my life. From the time I was 7 years old, I was painting,” he said. “I’m in my 80s now.”
Williams was born in Lenoir City and graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. After moving to Kingsport, he worked in the art department of Eastman Kodak. He opened his first art gallery in 1970.
Williams paints year-round in his gallery and participates in numerous shows.
“I paint all the time, and what I have is not necessarily preparing for certain shows. I have miscellaneous stuff that I can get together and go to about any show,” he said. “I feel good now and I think that I can go some more, if I’m around. I live from day to day and year to year. When you get in your 80s, you don’t anticipate, you just wait and see what happens.”
Along with the artists and crafters in the main hall, all rooms on the east side of the facility will be filled to capacity. A bake sale at the entry of the building will feature everything from breads and cookies to slices of cake and whole cakes, pies and Christmas Connection’s famous pumpkin rolls. Patrons wishing to purchase any baked goods are urged to come early because these items don’t last long, especially the pumpkin rolls. Outside, folks will find that sweet and salty treat, kettle corn, being made fresh all day.
Musical entertainment will be offered throughout the event. Performers will include Acoustic Encounters, an ensemble of local guitar players featuring Chet Atkins-style arrangements; and Gerald Sheppard, who plays acoustic finger-style guitar.
In honor of the 30th annual Christmas Connection, vendors and shoppers may catch a glimpse of the jolly old elf himself on Saturday.
Also during this year’s Christmas Connection, the Arts Council of Greater Kingsport’s Arts4Kids program will host workshops on Saturday for children ages 5 to 12. The 45-minute workshops will be led by wood artist Michael Ripper. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate and take home a traditional wooden yo-yo, with surface treatments ranging from wood burning to use of traditional stains. The workshops begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.; cost is free for Arts4Kids members and $5 for the general public.
Registration for the Arts4Kids program is $20 annually. For more information, call 423-392-8420.
--------GoTriCities--------
30th annual Christmas Connection
WHEN: Noon-7 p.m., Nov. 6; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov. 7; noon-5 p.m., Nov. 8
WHERE: Civic Auditorium, Kingsport
COST: Free
CONTACT: 392-8414
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