919 | UPFRONT
THE NEW
BLUE RIDGE CRAFT TRAILS
Think You’ve Seen It All? Well…Think Again!
D By TILDON DUNN
riven along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina? Think you’ve seen all there is to see? Well…think again. Welcome to the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, the curation of 310 destinations, including artist studios, galleries, and arts organizations in 25 Western North Carolina counties all in the Blue Ridge mountains and foothills and the Qualla Boundary. Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Executive Director Angie Chandler said the trail includes an area that is the home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, adding that the footprint of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails
is equivalent to the land covered by the state of Maryland. "Western North Carolina is one of the most distinctive cultures in the United States,” said Chandler. “We have amazing craft artists and galleries with such variety and creativity. They are ready to welcome locals and visitors alike." The Blue Ridge Craft Trails offer a new reason to visit the North Carolina mountains and foothills – and get outside and explore hidden gems. Destination Analysts’ new American travel research shows travelers will focus on fun in 2022, going to less crowded places and enjoying the outdoors.
When you think about it, art is an inspired
response
to the mountains, foothills, forests and fauna around us.
Craft is in our cultural DNA. ANGIE CHANDLER Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Executive Director
22
www.919Magazine.com
Spring 2022
