You're in for a great time in just a few weeks! On July 27, nationally-touring Texas storyteller Elizabeth Ellis will present an afternoon concert of fun, spirit-lifting family stories related to hot summer days and cool starry nights. The event will be held at Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC from 1:00 -3:00 PM. This family-friendly concert will be free of charge thanks to grants from the Moss Memorial Library and the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival. Elizabeth Ellis’s appearance is also being supported by the regional Mountain Area Storytellers. Beginning July 28th, Ellis will be teaching a week-long class entitled "Women Strong Stories" at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. Women and men are encouraged to attend to learn more and create personal stories. Please see the Folk School website for additional details on the class. Contact Kanute Rarey at 502-525-7272 or kanutetells@gmail.com for more information about Ms. Ellis's visit to our area.
This beautiful quilted wall-hanging by Jennifer Marshall of Creative Art Spark will be up for silent auction at the festival, with proceeds from the winning bid going to support our community outreach programs. A multi-talented local artist, Jennifer created this piece especially for us. She will also be leading a hands-on workshop on the art of quilting Saturday morning at the festival. You won't want to miss it!
Ticket specials, lodging, and parking
Our early-bird ticket specials are running for only 7 more days (until April 1). Take advantage of the chance to save $3-$5 per ticket by going to http://2019gmsf.eventbrite.com.
Information on lodging options and festival parking has been added to our home page.
Volunteering for the festival
Our festival is made possible each year by an amazing group of volunteers who welcome visitors and serve as our set-up crew, emcees, door monitors, registration helpers, and marketplace salespeople. We're in need of some additional volunteers for the 2019 festival, and we'd love to have you join the team. Volunteers typically work a 2-4 hour shift and in return receive a free weekend pass to the festival, a spiffy t-shirt, a great time, and our heartfelt gratitude. If you'd like to volunteer, please send us email us at info@gamountainstoryfest.org or fill out the volunteer form on the website. Thanks!
Special Opportunity for Caregivers
On April 14 (the day after the festival), Leslie Shelley, a north Georgia native who has been telling stories for more than 40 years, will present a storytelling workshop especially for caregivers. Leslie strongly believes in the power of stories to bring hope, encouragement, and healing. She has helped many people learn about the healing power of sharing your experiences. Participants will experience how storytelling can enhance their quality of life by giving them an outlet to express the challenges and joys of providing care for others. Caregivers from all walks of life are welcome. This will be a small, supportive, and confidential group experience. The workshop is free. Childcare will be available.
For more information, click here.
Please contact us to reserve your seat: info@gamountainstoryfest.org
Special Opportunity for Area Teachers
On April 11 (the day before the festival), Bobby Norfolk, an award-winning storyteller and educator, will present a free workshop for area teachers on how to use storytelling to engage even the most apathetic of learners.
Click here for more information!
Email info@gamountainstoryfest.org to sign up.
Elizabeth Ellis is coming to our area!
You're in for a real treat in just three weeks! On December 1, nationally-touring storyteller Elizabeth Ellis will present an afternoon concert of joyful and often moving stories related to Christmas and the holiday season. The event will be held at Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC from 1-3PM. This family-friendly concert will be free of charge thanks to a grant from the Moss Memorial Library. Elizabeth Ellis’s appearance is also being supported by the Arts and Spirituality Ministry at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival, and the regional Mountain Area Storytellers Circle.
Elizabeth Ellis will be teaching a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC from December 2-8, 2018. Please see the Folk School website for additional details on the class. The Mountain Area Storytellers are providing a scholarship that covers tuition and lunches for one local recipient. For information on the scholarship, contact Kanute Rarey at 502-525-7272 or kanutetells@gmail.com.
Come see us!
Come see us at the Business Expo at the Towns County Recreation Center from 4-7PM on September 27! We'll have drawings for festival tickets and GMSF merchandise, information on our upcoming events, and more!
What a joy it was!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2018 festival! Whether you took part as a teller, volunteer, sponsor, or audience member, you helped to make the festival possible. Please read our wrap-up report with pride, knowing that you enabled people to come together and experience the power and beauty of connecting with others through sharing stories.
Click here for the report in PDF form.
Also, you'll find a selection of photos from the event on the 2018 festival page on our website. Enjoy!
Stories in Fabric
Calling all quilters and quilt lovers! One of the highlights of the festival each year is our display of quilts made or owned by folks from our area. If you'd like to contribute a quilt to this year's display, please send us an email message at info@gamountainstoryfest.org, and we'll contact you about your quilt. Thanks!