The event features artists and artisans on April 14, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. and is rain or shine.  

Visitors can meet and talk with exhibiting artists and artisans at Southern Secrets at Mears, a retail gift shop which sells wine, local coffee, honey and specialty foods with a local-as-possible, made-in-the USA focus promoting rural North Carolina.  

In addition, artwork from local private collections can be viewed at a recently renovated storefront next to Southern Secrets at Mears.

The event features original works in every medium and price range.

For the artists, the show is an opportunity to make connections with other local artists, get to know existing customers and create a new audience for their work. For visitors, the art show is a chance to support local artists, develop a personal connection to the art and to purchase art from new and emerging artists.

Bless Your Art will also feature three Early American Antiques dealers.  

Jennifer Locke McCann, who is a co-chair along with Julia Andrus of the Bless Your Art show, believes it’s important to foster an art community of seasoned artists and new talent, saying, “Art is good for the local economy and it enriches the community. At Southern Secrets we are featuring talented artists and artisans who are eager to sell their work locally.”

That’s one of the reasons why she opened Southern Secrets at Mears in December.

Along with her mother, Gayle Locke, they wanted a venue where local artists and artisans could feature their work  and display their strong ties to rural Eastern North Carolina.

While some of the artists participating in the  annual Bless Your Art Show and Sale have exhibited their work in renowned galleries, alternative venues like Southern Secrets at Mears – are great outlets for new and emerging artists and artisans.

Southern Secrets will have its grand opening this Saturday. From 10 a.m.to  5 p.m.

Eric McRay, a renowned artist from Raleigh, will be giving an art class on Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

The workshop costs $100.

In addition to the art show on Saturday, there’s a Bless Your Art Gala on Friday night, April 13. To buy tickets online go to https://www.freshtix.com/events/bless-your-art-gala or you can also purchase tickets at Southern Secrets at Mears via check to DERP.

Presales are $40 per ticket or two for $75. The Rhythm Express Band will be performing and food will be served.

On Sunday, Ira David Wood will be speaking at the 11 a.m. service at the Enfield Baptist Church and Steve Owen will perform. A covered dish follows the service.