Tryon Arts & Crafts School will welcome heroes and witches, princesses and beasts, to enter the storied hinterland of the “​The Enchanted Forest.”

The school’s August invitational exhibition premieres alongside Artists of the Month, Ben and Beth Waddell. The free, family-friendly reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, with hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

“The Enchanted Forest” exhibit ​celebrates Appalachian folklore and the influence of natural beauty on human imagination, representatives said.

Highlighted are dozens of photographs by Ruthie Rosauer, author of “These Trees.” Rosauer’s images capture the textures and earth tones of trees and denizens of the forest: the spider, frog and raccoon.

Her work has been described as a “valentine to the arboreal world.”

While gallery visitors may encounter familiar characters of the woods, “​The Enchanted Forest”​ also attracts those of fantasy, including the gnome, dryad and unicorn.

Mary Dill’s large sculptural tree is adorned with Kate Stockman’s jewelry. Circling the tree are renderings on the exhibit’s woodland theme, Hope Rodearmar’s “fairy chairs;” pottery from Barry Gregg, Justin Allman, Eva McCray and Doug Dacey; Art Sauder’s wood carvings; and Sarah Jane Oiler’s wire wrappings.

These and other local and regional artists and writers have contributed to the exhibit.

“​The Enchanted Forest”​ continues until Aug. 30.

– Submitted by Will Barclift