River Valley artists are well on their way to getting organized through efforts at the recently opened Pennacook Art Center.

Now, it’s the creators of fine crafts’ turn.

Grace McKivergan, a weaver, and Edwina Hardy, a basket maker, both from Rumford, are calling a meeting of fine craftspeople for 7 p.m. on Aug. 16 in the conference room of the Rumford Municipal Building.

“We want to know if people are interested and willing to put in the time to open a shop,” said McKivergan.

If the interest is out there, McKivergan said the group could take the next steps – application for nonprofit status, pursuit of grants to help fund a co-op, and the opening of a shop somewhere in the River Valley that would be run by the fine craftspeople involved.

McKivergan said she and Hardy have sent out 71 letters to craftspeople living in the 10 River Valley towns as identified through the soon-to-be-completed River Valley cultural directory. Artisans who didn’t get a letter are also invited to attend this potential organizational meeting. The directory has been in the works by Becky Welsh, coordinator of the River Valley Art Initiative, for more than a year and is expected to be published in late summer.

Fine craftspeople, or artisans, are defined as those who design and create their own products, said McKivergan. They include potters, fly-tiers, quilters, woodworkers, weavers, spinners, furniture makers and many others.

The Pennacook Art Center on Congress Street is about to unveil its second exhibit since its grand opening in June.

“Our Own Backyard,” is the focus of the display that opens on Aug. 6. Local scenes painted by local artists will include the natural landscape, waterways, animals, barns, buildings and other subjects unique to the River Valley area.

Festivals

August is a month for festivals, as well.

In Andover, the annual Olde Home Days takes place from Aug. 6 to 8. Along with a parade and flea market, crafts displays and a variety of music will be a photography contest and the 53rd annual flower show.

The theme of this year’s flower show is a Walk Down Memory Lane. It takes place on Saturday at the Andover Historical Society building and will feature more than a dozen categories including such topics as Indian trails, early schools, industries, organizations and transportation, the first pioneers of the area, and several others, all using bright colorful flowers.

Dixfield holds its annual townwide celebration on Aug. 15 with its Main Street Outdoor Market. Along with many craftspeople, including an adult-sized rocking horse created by local craftsman David Marin, will be food and lots of music.

The Arsenault Family Band and the Black Mountain Hobo with Billy G and Kathy will perform country music at the gazebo, and Mary Murphy and the Core Jam will perform a variety of music along Main Street throughout the day.

The festivities run from the bank to the Dixfield Historical Building from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.