Chainsaw Carving, Bears and Art: Bear on the Square Returns to Downtown Murphy
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Chainsaw artists, live music, local art and First Friday festivities will take over downtown Murphy during Labor Day weekend.
Article and Photography provided by Debra Vanderlaan I Member of Valley River Arts Guild I Murphy Art Center
EVENTS & CULTURE
The upcoming “Bear on the Square” event will feature Dueling Chainsaw Artists setting up on Murphy downtown Square in front of Murphy Art Center during the Art Walk First Friday on Labor Day weekend: Friday September 4, noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday September 5, 10 a.m. until sell-out.
We welcome back three of our region’s most talented chainsaw carvers to 2026 annual “Bear on the Square”. The lineup, all from Cherokee County, includes Dan Faber of Hot House, Chris Gagnon of Hiwassee Dam, and Dave Anderson of Andrews.
Watch chainsaw artists in action, revving up their chainsaws, carving all sorts of woodland creatures and beautiful artworks out of hunks of wood and tree stumps, items available for purchase directly from the artists.
An exciting Murphy Art Walk is promised for First Friday this month, from 5-8pm, September 4th. Downtown will be packed with vendors and carvers, with arts and craft lining the sidewalks of Tennessee, Valley River, Peachtree, and Hiwassee Streets.
The MAC is offering a special gourmet delight of BBQ, celebrating the Labor Day holidays as well as Back to School excitement, courtesy of Valley River Arts Guild and our hardworking Hospitality Committee. Bring the kids to create our monthly Make and Take craft, offered in our MAC classroom, while supplies last. Everything’s free; stop by the Murphy Art Center.
Music by The MAC in September features the “G.A.S. Band” on the Square, with “Jim & Marci Wilcox” playing inside the Murphy Art Center. There’s live music in venues throughout downtown, with shopping and specials in shops, restaurants, and pubs, all open late during First Friday. Please support our downtown businesses.
A special “Glass and Reflections” exhibit is on display in our Back of the MAC Gallery inside The MAC, all items available for purchase, from stained glass, mosaics, and fused glass to crafts and artworks featuring shiny objects and reflections, a must-see show.
Valley River Arts Guild at The MAC offers snacks and complimentary wine tasting during Art Walk. See and shop the many new crafts and works of art inside our huge gallery and be sure to welcome the many new creative members of our awesome guild.
All artists and crafters who wish to display at Art Walk, register at: www.ValleyRiverArts.com (it’s free). Set up in the newly renovated Square or secure a spot with a downtown business.
See you downtown.
Bear on the Square event
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