Blue Ridge Crafted
Welcome to the first edition of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails Magazine. This guide is designed to help you find your way through the small towns and back roads of the North Carolina mountains and foothills to discover some of the most celebrated craft artisans, both nationally and internationally. The Blue Ridge region of Western North Carolina is recognized far and wide for its rich heritage of southern Appalachian craftsmanship, including pottery, woodworking, weaving, blacksmithing, glass blowing and basket making.
The Blue Ridge Craft Trails is a collection of 350 artisan studios, galleries and cultural organizations in a 25-county area, where you can buy craft, participate in a class, and step into a studio to learn about the artists — their creativity and process.
Just days before the inaugural issue of this magazine was scheduled for publication, Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. While hurricanes have come through our region before, this one was especially catastrophic, breaking the bounds of our collective imaginations. Towns have been wiped off the map, roads, homes, and businesses have been washed away, and lives have been lost.
Western North Carolinians are known for their gumption and resilience, however, and our craft artists are no different. As this region begins putting the pieces back together to move forward, telling the stories of our craft artists and encouraging support of their work takes on new significance.
Enjoy the insightful feature by Anna Fariello, a nationally known scholar and curator of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, who tells the dramatic and deep-rooted account of craft in Western North Carolina. You'll also find a map and comprehensive listing of all Blue Ridge Craft Trails sites in these pages. To explore even deeper, visit blueridgecrafttrails. com for an abundance of artists' profiles, itineraries, beautiful videos and imagery, and an interactive map to help you plan your visit.
In this time of recovery and rebuilding, our Western North Carolina craft artists, musicians, small town shops and eateries need your support. Please visit us soon and make sure to call any craft trail site before you visit. Our region has experienced tremendous loss and we appreciate your understanding.
Also, please consider donating to the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. If you love the mountain culture of Western North Carolina, please join our efforts to support and preserve all that we hold dear.
Angie Chandler Executive Director Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
Help Protect Western North Carolina’s Natural and Cultural Treasures
The BRNHA is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina (WNC) counties and the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations. We exist to sustain our heritage and stimulate improved economic opportunity in the region. Donate Today.
The Blue Ridge Craft Trails is an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and develop the natural and cultural resources of Western North Carolina, including agriculture, Cherokee, craft, music and natural heritage.
We want to thank Robin Johnston, Blue Ridge Craft Trails Coordinator, and Anna Fariello, Blue Ridge Craft Trails Curator, for their leadership and support.
On the Cover Handwoven silk and wool scarf by Susan McRae. Located at OSuzannah's Yarn on Union, a fiber shop in downtown Morganton, NC, and a site on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. SHANNON HANSON PHOTO
Handcrafted HERITAGE The Craft of WNC
As Georgia is known for its peaches and New Orleans for its jazz, so too is Western North Carolina known for its high-quality craft. What makes WNC a center of craft is the artists’ knowledge of natural materials and their connection to the place that provides them. Their hand skill and imagination nurture both innovative and traditional handcraft practices that exist side by side in a thriving creative economy.
In the early 20th century, a growing interest in craft was part of a renewed worldwide focus on things made by hand. Nationally, this interest is referred to as the Arts and Crafts Movement; its Appalachian counterpart is known as the Craft Revival. For the most part, the artisans who peopled the Craft Revival were not the professional craftsmen of today; rather, they were individuals with the talent and ability to make things needed for daily living. For many rural communities, craftwork — coupled with the growing popularity of mountain tourism — helped shape the region’s economy and culture. Potters, weavers, wood workers, metal smiths, and glass artisans have made a place for themselves in these mountains for decades.
North Carolina continues to nurture its artisans. The Blue Ridge Craft Trails
is a 21st century effort that follows in the footsteps of the Revival, promoting the region’s artists, their work, and the heritage of their rural communities. An online resource of over 350 Craft Trail sites and events allows visitors to experience the artistry that has come to define Western North Carolina. The historic Revival and contemporary Craft Trails share similar goals — providing support to individual artisans to preserve their creative contributions to mountain communities.
Cherokee
All people at all times make things; some say that this act of making is the essence that defines human nature. In Western North Carolina, the first artists were Cherokee people whose craftwork continues to be acknowledged worldwide. The bounty of its homeland — wood, cane, copper, and clay — are used to create all manner of work — masks, baskets, gorgets, and pots — that are carved, woven, hammered, and coiled to form a legacy of fine handwork, some of which is featured along the Craft Trails. The Snowbird Cherokee Matriarchs Mural in Robbinsville features eleven women holding artifacts to celebrate tribal traditions. The Cherokee
Indian Fair, begun by Big Cove farmers in 1912, morphed into a tribal-wide fair in 1914 and has been a seasonal event ever since. The fair became a showcase for the tribe’s finest arts and crafts as interest in the handmade grew. The prestigious artisan cooperative, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, was formed in 1946, followed in the early 1950s by the opening of the Oconaluftee
Agnes Welch dyeing splits. NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTO
Indian Village and the Museum of the Cherokee People. These key cultural sites form a strong basis for the preservation of native traditions, and each are stops along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Pottery
Western North Carolina’s abundance of natural resources has long provided materials for industrial and creative manufacture. In the 19th century, there was a huge clay mine in Webster that extracted kaolin, a fine-grained clay, to make industrial porcelain products. At
one time, 20 mines were in operation but, within a generation, the clay pits were exhausted and no longer served as an industrial export. Still, this abundance of natural clay deposits allowed for the success of a number of family-run potteries that operated in Candler, Weaverville, and Arden. In Weaverville, Reems Creek Pottery was run by two brothers. In Arden, Walter Stephen’s Pisgah Forest Pottery produced a cameo ware reminiscent of Wedgwood and, nearby, the Brown brothers operated Brown Pottery. The Craft Trails has an abundance of potters that have built on this history. Some of the longest producing are Bringle Pottery in Penland, Leftwich Pottery in Mills River, and Bolick Pottery in Lenoir. A pottery collective and gallery forms today’s Reems Creek Pottery in Weaverville. Annually, the WNC Pottery Festival in Sylva celebrates the medium every fall.
Fiber
Other crafts have a long history in the region. In 1895, while working for the Presbyterian Home Mission in Madison County, Frances Louisa Goodrich was given a woven coverlet that inspired her to market the weaving of local women. She established Allanstand Cottage
Industries in Flag Pond before moving it to College Avenue in Asheville. South of Asheville’s center, the Spinning Wheel is remembered with an historical marker on Hendersonville Road. In 1917, a commercial weaving operation moved into a building behind the Grove Park Inn where, today, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum tells its story. At the height of its success, Biltmore Industries had a total of 40 looms in
Javan and Davis Brown with the “world’s tallest pot,” 1920s.
RODNEY H. LEFTWICH PHOTO
Frances Louisa Goodrich with Double Bow Knot coverlet, 1943. SOUTHERN HIGHLAND CRAFT GUILD PHOTO
Basket makers at 1947 Cherokee Indian Fair (left to right): Mary Jo Washington with rivercane; Nancy Bradley holding honeysuckle basket; possibly Martha Taylor with white oak splits. JOHN HEMMER/NORTH CAROLINA STATE ARCHIVES PHOTO
Amanda Smoker weaving a white oak storage basket. NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTO
steady operation producing bolts of some of the finest hand-woven wool fabric in the country. In Crossnore, a weavers’ collective is documented via a display in the Crossnore Weavers and Gallery, which continues to produce hand woven items for sale. Hendersonville’s Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists celebrate the skills of spinning and weaving on the Historic Johnson Farm.
Murrial Martin was hired to oversee a community carving program at the John C. Campbell Folk School.
JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL PHOTO
Woodworking
Northeast of Asheville, the Woody family began making chairs in the 1800s, a tradition that carried through several
Looms at the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum in Grovewood Village. ANNA FARIELLO PHOTO
generations. Woody’s Chair Shop has been featured in National Geographic and their chairs are in the Smithsonian’s collection. Wood products have long been a staple of Appalachian forests and North Carolina manufacture. Besides furniture, carving was popular during the Craft Revival. The Brasstown Carvers, a neighborhood cooperative, are known for their nativity sets with each piece the specialty of a different carver. In the 1950s, sculptor Amanda Crowe began teaching dozens of students how to make her signature bears and other forest animals at Cherokee High School.
Blacksmithing
Daniel and Lawrence Boone perpetuated the tradition of pioneer blacksmithing, as well as their famous name. In 1937, the Boones received a contract to forge the restoration ironwork at Colonial Williamsburg. Bea Hensley was a young neighbor boy who grew up within earshot of the Boone’s ringing anvil. Hensley worked at his own smithy for decades and, at age 76, was named a National Heritage Fellow. Today’s Fire on
Brothers, Daniel and Lawrence Boone, 5th generation from the famed Daniel Boone, operated a forge in Yancey County, circa 1927. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH
CAROLINA-CHAPEL HILL PHOTO
the Mountain festival honors the decadeslong tradition of blacksmithing in the Toe River Valley. Stuart Nye, inspired by blooms outside his window, made his first sterling silver dogwood pin in 1933 while a patient at the Veterans Hospital in Oteen.
In today’s Stuart Nye Hand Wrought Jewelry shop, a handful of full-time workers turn out jewelry in silver, copper, and brass at the Tunnel Road shop.
Crafts Education
In 1921, Olive Dame Campbell documented 42 “Southern Highland Schools” in North Carolina, many of which taught crafts as part of their manual training curriculum. Campbell later founded the John C. Campbell Folk School, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Located in the western-most corner of North Carolina, the school has operated continuously for an entire century, offering weeklong classes in every media. More recently, the Folk School opened Olive’s Porch in Murphy, where visitors and locals can take afternoon classes, purchase art supplies, and buy quality handwork. Lucy Morgan, a native of Andrews, moved east to join her brother at the Appalachian School in Penland. After learning to weave in 1923, she made a commitment to empower her neighbors through a revival of weaving. In 1929, on the threshold of the Great
Depression, Morgan established the Penland School of Craft, which continues to offer courses year-round. In 1933, Black Mountain College was formed as an educational experiment that left a unique legacy on American art. Although it remained open for only 24 years, today’s
Louise Pitman created natural dyes from plant materials made a large outdoor dye pot. DORIS ULMANN, CIRCA 1933/JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL PHOTO
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center documents and celebrates its impactful history. As public education developed, many communities outgrew their schools. Fortunately, some have found creative ways to re-purpose historic school buildings. The Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center preserved WPA-era stone buildings to serve as creative community centers. The Historic Banner Elk School, HUB Station Arts Center in Hudson, and Rock School Arts Foundation in Valdese have found ways to reuse schools as environments for creative learning. In Clyde, the Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program grew from its earlier incarnation as Haywood Institute to allow for an academic study of craft.
Glassmaking
Glassmaking was a relative latecomer to the Western North Carolina craft economy, although today, it plays a significant role. It wasn't until 1965 that Penland School of Craft set up its first glass studio. Within a few years the
school was hosting glass artists who experimented, collaborated and taught others. Today, there are a number of glass artists who live and work in and around Penland and in the nearby community of Celo. Asheville is home to the North Carolina Glass Center, which maintains a gallery representing the work of 30
Artist: Cole Johnson
JACKSON COUNTY, NC
Judy McManus blowing glass at the Jackson County Green Energy Park. ANNA FARIELLO PHOTO
Watty Chiltoskie at the 1953 Craftsman’s Fair of the Southern Highlands. EDWARD DUPUY/ SOUTHERN HIGHLAND CRAFT GUILD PHOTO
WNC artists. The Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro utilizes landfill methane gas to fuel its glass furnaces, providing a space for artists while making a contribution to the health of the environment.
Southern Highland Craft Guild
With the increasing success of the craft economy in the early 20th century, its leaders encouraged craft production centers to work together. In 1928, they came together to discuss their goals and pledged to form a cooperative marketing organization. Since its founding in 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has provided a framework for coordinating opportunities for artist-craftsmen in nine states. In 1948, it launched the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, which continues as a major event in downtown Asheville every summer and fall. The Guild supports multiple galleries, an archive, and a huge sales shop housed in the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Appalachian Craft Revival set out to nurture cottage industries which, in turn, successfully improved the income of rural neighbors, established schools and production centers, and created an infrastructure which would effectively encourage others to make hand crafted objects. Craft Revival makers shaped clay, in turn shaping the attitudes and values that contribute to today’s appreciation of the handmade object. Makers wove cotton, linen, and wool, weaving a sense of community that contributes to a strong sense of place. Craftsmen hammered metal, forging partnerships to effect change. Artisans worked with wood, building a regional economy based on individual talent and entrepreneurship. Craft Revival activities emphasized quality, individuality, and workmanship, values that remain evident in a 21st-century region that is both dynamic and supportive of today’s creative entrepreneurs. It is these values, skills, and creative individuals that form the foundation of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Ridge Craft Trails.
Anna Fariello is curator of the Blue
Virginia Standingdeer staffing Qualla Arts and Crafts booth at the 1967 Craftsman’s Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTO
Opening up Potential Saluda Moon Glass
The sacred act of artistic creation is who Susan Cannon is, and it’s the mark she wants to leave on the world at-large — the ultimate goal being connectivity and community.
“Whether it's music, writing, photography or any of the arts and crafts, all of it opens up your mind,” Cannon said. “And we need to be exercising those neurons to really develop.”
Cannon owns Saluda Moon Glass Studio & Gallery. She launched the business a little over three years ago on Main Street in the tiny mountain town tucked away in the depths of Polk and Henderson counties. Since opening the doors, the space has become a cherished haven for artists and the curious alike.
“I love seeing how excited people get when they learn [to work with glass],” Cannon said. “And how happy they are at the end of the class.”
Originally from the Midwest, Cannon
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started working with kilnform glass (or “fused glass”), then tried stained glass for a period. Though it was only a hobby in the beginning — with Cannon working a full-time gig as a corporate trainer and in management development — she became more and more fascinated with the craft.
But, it was fused glass that genuinely took hold of Cannon’s imagination. Soon, she began studying with international artists and instructors, soaking in any influences. Eventually, she started teaching classes parttime in the evenings and on weekends.
“In some way, I’ve always been in the ‘people business,’ teaching people and helping them do whatever to achieve their goals,” Cannon said.
About 15 years ago, Cannon retired from the corporate world and relocated to Saluda. Initially, she rented a garage where she made glass pieces and taught classes. And when a building became available on Main Street a few years back, Cannon
knew it was time to take the next step in her aspirations.
“I decided I wanted to have my own gallery, wanted to do more teaching, and just really do it big,” Cannon said.
With her forte being fused glass, the process itself involves layering pieces of glass that you cut and design. After that, fire up the kiln and let the piece melt together and form the desired result. Cannon also uses glass enamels to paint certain pieces.
“There are so many different techniques and styles — it’s endless,” Cannon said. “And fused glass is constantly evolving. People are always coming up with new ideas and ways to manipulate the glass. It just keeps going, where I can offer beginner and more advanced classes.”
Of her numerous types of fused glass pieces, Cannon’s bear collection has become her most popular item sold. Called “land and sky bears,” Cannon approached the pieces with a technique known as sgraffito, where she etches designs into dried enamel paint. There’s no template to trace, just simply Cannon letting her hands run wild and free — conjuring whatever may enter her thoughts.
“I don’t have a pattern or design in mind,” Cannon said. “And I start deciding, ‘Do I want stars here?’ or ‘Do I want curves here?’ It’s a very meditative process for me. I get so engrossed with the bears and forget everything — it’s so immersive.”
So, why bears?
“Because it’s something that’s so special about this area,” Cannon said. “The bears are the spirit of these mountains. They’re a natural part of this country — this iconic symbol of the Smokies.”
Headlong into her passion for glass and for teaching, Cannon has “never lost my taste for working with my hands.” For her, it’s about the continual growth of her skillset, and also that deep sense of community radiating out from her studio.
“I just truly enjoy meeting all these people,” Cannon said. “I love spreading the word about doing this art — anybody can do this.”
Saluda Moon Glass Studio and Gallery is on Main Street in Historic Saluda.
Hamilton Williams
Gallery & Studio
Tucked away in the charming town of Morganton, North Carolina, Hamilton Williams Gallery & Studio offers a captivating fusion of craftsmanship and artistry. A hidden gem located on East Union Street in Morganton's downtown, the space combines the warmth of a craft gallery with the intimate, working space of its owner and resident potter, Hamilton Williams.
Stepping into the gallery, visitors are enveloped by the beautifully curated sights of pottery, jewelry, hand-blown glass, and paintings. Each item is handcrafted by local artisans, many of whom display their work exclusively at this gallery. As you explore,
the light floral scent of handmade soaps mingles with the soft, nutty aroma of oiled and waxed hardwood floors, subtly hinting at the building’s history. The quiet hum of the potter’s wheel and the occasional low roar of the gas kiln in the adjacent studio lend a tactile sense of creativity to the space. This serene atmosphere invites exploration, from intricately carved wood bowls to striking encaustic paintings that capture the essence of local wildlife and scenery.
Hamilton Williams, a potter for over three decades, spends part of his day in the studio, shaping clay into functional and decorative pieces. His work, alongside the carefully
selected creations of other local artists, gives the gallery its distinctive character. The pieces here, from functional pottery to vibrant landscapes, feel deeply connected to the Appalachian region’s natural beauty and artistic traditions.
More than just a gallery, Hamilton Williams Gallery & Studio is a reflection of Morganton and its surrounding mountains. It offers visitors a chance to discover one-of-a-kind, handmade treasures that cannot be found elsewhere. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this gallery is a must-visit destination to experience the authentic artistry of Western North Carolina.
All in the Family
C arolina Farm Table
Back in 1980, John and Penny Ulery relocated from San Diego, California, to Sparta, North Carolina. At the time, the young couple had a company called Designs in Wood, which focused primarily on smaller craft projects like mirrors and birdhouses.
“They bought some land, wanted to homestead, and fell in love with the area,” said Devin Ulery, John and Penny’s son. “That was home base. Then, we’d travel around the country doing art shows and selling pieces, which was how you built a business before the internet.”
Between his parents’ workshop and simply growing up around the craft of woodworking, Devin soon began picking up the tools and the skill set needed to parlay that experience and apprenticeship into the second generation of the company.
“I grew up around it, and I had a familiarity with the tools,” Devin said. “I
would dabble in and out during high school and college, only to kind of come back to the business full-time at [age] 22.”
Now known as Carolina Farm Table, Devin and his family are keeping one foot in artistic tradition and craftsmanship, and the other in modern ways and means of sustaining and growing a brand.
“I’m thankful to carry on the family business, but it’s not easy,” Devin said. “It’s the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur, especially in a niche market like this. But, the Lord has always provided and we’ve always stayed busy.”
Now a nationally renowned wood furnishing brand, the decades-old company specializes in its signature farmhouse tables — the main gathering spot for family and friends in any home — alongside hutches and other custom-made items for new and longtime clients. Each project is handcrafted to perfection, with a deep sense of patience and precision smoothing and shaping every edge and side.
“My main drive these days is the relationship with the customer,” Devin said. “And I’ve been really blessed with the [woodworking] crew we have — they’re really passionate about what they do.”
For Devin, beyond working with clients on their desired creation from the first phone call to the final inspection before shipping the item, he genuinely enjoys personally delivering pieces, where expectations being exceeded are the norm for Carolina Farm Table.
“I find satisfaction in creating the quality furniture that’s going to last a lifetime,” Devin said. “We’re hand-selecting
boards. We’re sitting there looking at the grain. We’re just trying to put thought into it all.”
When asked about just what makes wood such an intriguing material to bring to fruition the designs radiating from one’s imagination, Devin paused for a moment before responding.
“Working with wood isn’t easy. It moves. It has cracks,” Devin said. “It always kind of throws a curveball at you, even if you think you have it dialed in. But that's just part of [the process].”
Approaching its 53rd year in operation, Carolina Farm Table remains steadfast in its mission to provide quality products made by real deal folks who’ve dedicated their lives to this artistic medium — that same ethos of pride and purpose intact throughout.
“And we’ve gotten a lot of community support — they’re proud to have us doing this,” Devin said. “This is a unique business and we’re proud of it.”
Museum Cherokee People of the Living history
Recently, the Museum of the Cherokee People on the Qualla Boundary has entered a new, exciting phase of its existence — one seeking an ideal balance between preservation of the past and perpetuation of the continual evolution of the sacred culture.
“We’re fortunate to be in a community that does have tourists,” said Shana Bushyhead Condill, executive director at the museum and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. “But, [we want] to swing the pendulum back towards our community, so that our people here would think of this [museum] as theirs.”
Cherokee Indian Fair. MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE PHOTO
One of the oldest tribal museums in the country, the Museum of the Cherokee People was opened in 1948. Originally, the organization, its artifacts,and exhibits were showcased in an old log cabin building. By 1976, the museum launched its current site on Tsali Boulevard in the heart of the Cherokee community.
“So, we’ve been here for [a while],” Condill said. “But, the museum has always
been innovative. Folks running it were always looking to be at the forefront of what’s going on in museums, and were really forward thinking in how they were presenting the collections.”
The last renovation of the museum came in 1998, which included state-of-theart facilities for displaying the exhibits. It was the same time Condill came into the fold at the museum as an intern.
“We get to tell our own story, and we get to make our own money,” Condill said of the museum’s mindset in recalibrating its image, something also at the heart of the tribe’s conversations on its cultural identity. “And we need to think about how we do that.”
Since that time, there have been world-class exhibitions showcased at the museum. The offerings are grouped into three key areas of education and exploration: Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists (storytellers, dancers, Cherokee language speakers, artists), School Opportunities (school and youth groups), and Community Learning Opportunities (workshops, lectures, classes, events).
But, for Condill, she’s looking further ahead with one question in mind — how do you tell the Cherokee story to a modern-day audience?
“A lot of our staff are younger than me. And they felt the films were ‘dated’ and ‘didn’t love that our creation story is portrayed as kind of cartoony,’’’ Condill said. “The bar [for integrity and portrayal] has been risen [from when I was a kid] — and I just love that.”
Condill also points to a lot of inaccuracies and stereotypes that
continue to be attached to the Cherokee tribe. Whereas initially those inaccurate portrayals were used to increase local tourism and the amount of money spent on the Qualla Boundary, times have changed and there’s been a big push to tell a more authentic and accurate story.
“You look around [at tourist shops] and see tomahawks and pink headdresses, stuff that doesn’t represent who we are authentically as Cherokee people,” Condill said. “We’re proud of our history, where the exhibit we have up right now [allows] us to flex our sovereignty.”
With strengthening the museum’s cultural mission through a fresher, clearer lens by which the tribe and visitors alike can focus in on the proud history and current state of the Cherokee people, so, too, came a powerful name change in the fall of 2023 — from the former Museum of the Cherokee Indian to the Museum of the Cherokee People.
“We need to really be intentional about what we say, how we say it, and who we say it to,” Condill said. “We’re not only building on the work of seven generations [behind] us, we’re also laying a foundation that allows those seven generations ahead [of us] to build on that and keep going.”
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A guide speaks to visitors at the Museum of the Cherokee People, which has been open since 1948.
Life after Helene
How the WNC Arts Scene Will Recover
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which roared through Western North Carolina this past September, a large chunk of the artistic and cultural identity of our region was heavily damaged — from Dillsboro to Marion, Tryon to Boone and beyond — with some areas absolutely decimated due to the ravaging floodwaters and catastrophic mudslides.
“We lost everything,” said Sarah Wells Rolland. “We had 26 feet of water. It all went into the second floor of our building — it’s just unreal.”
Founder/owner of The Village Potters Clay Center, located in the depths of Asheville’s River Arts District, Rolland and her husband, George, are now picking up the pieces, literally and figuratively, of their business and existence in the RAD, which was bulldozed by water overtaking the banks of the ancient French Broad River.
As the creative heartbeat and social beehive of the city itself, the RAD is a beacon of culture and compassion within WNC and greater Southern Appalachia. So, it’s no wonder how disheartened and downtrodden locals and visitors alike feel in the realization of the innumerable artists, studios and galleries affected by Helene across the RAD and around our region.
Opened in 2011, Village Potters is home to eight resident artisans. The business also offers numerous classes, workshops and advanced studies programs to countless aspiring artists.
“I’ll be honest with you, for the first 24 hours, I just grieved and was in shock,” Sarah Rolland said. “But, somewhere into the next day, all of a sudden I felt recharged. It was, ‘What are we going to do next?’ And then, we started to look for
a vision and a place on how to reestablish and rebuild.”
That sentiment of overcoming obstacles in the face of adversity in the midst of the wrath of Mother Nature is something currently bubbling up at Toe River Arts. With its main gallery located in downtown Spruce Pine, the town was severely walloped by the storm, with power and water services disrupted for days and weeks.
“There are so many resources and folks who have jumped in and are doing their thing [to recover],” said Toe River Arts Executive Director Nealy Andrews. “People are processing this [disaster] at their own speed and everybody’s situation is different. But, the collective grief within the community is really heavy.”
Established at the Toe Rive Arts Council
in 1976, the TRA aims to “promote and encourage the existing cultural and educational organizations of Mitchell and Yancey counties.” And since its inception, the TRA has grown into a vibrant organization providing the resources and connectivity needed to thrive as an artist.
“We were very lucky [our gallery is] on the upper street in Spruce Pine. But, every business on Locust Street [along the North Toe River] has been wiped out,” Andrews noted. “And [yet], our community is so resilient, with artists in each of these little communities taking care of their neighbors.”
And although the Village Potters RAD studio is currently closed until further notice, that hasn’t hindered the creative flow of Sarah Rolland and her resident potters. Able to save a mobile kiln before the floods hit the RAD, Village Potters is still cranking out beautiful pieces as a result of incredibly generous donations of clay from outside entities looking to lend a hand in solidarity with WNC.
“We’re just trying to help people out to get back to work — and it’s working,” Sarah Rolland said. “I mean, it’s crazy to try and do any kind of business while we’re trying to restore the studio, but we’re doing it.”
“Find these artists’ GoFundMe pages and buy artwork online from those who’ve been affected by the floods,” Andrews added. “The arts community will rise again and the creativity is never stifled, even in all this — support these artists.”
Embark on an Adventure
Blue Ridge Craft Trail Sites
FAR WEST
ROBBINSVILLE
Graham County Barn Quilt Trail grahamquilttrails.org/barn-quilts. html
QUILT TRAIL
Hunting Boy Wood Carving facebook.com/huntingboywoodcarving WOOD
Snowbird Cherokee Matriarchs Mural grahamcounty.net
MURAL
Stecoah Drive-About stecoahvalleycenter.com
STUDIO TOUR
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
stecoahvalleycenter.com
ARTS ORGANIZATION
CANTON
Sabbath-Day Woods sabbathdaywoods.com
WOOD
Thomas Langan American Folk Art thomaslangan.com
WOOD
CLYDE
Art Jewelry by Ilene art-jewelry-by-ilene.com
JEWELRY
Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program creativearts.haywood.edu/professional-crafts-program/ EDUCATION
MAGGIE VALLEY
Different Drummer Pottery differentdrummerpottery.com
POTTERY
Haywood Barn Quilt Trails haywoodquilttrails.com
QUILT TRAIL
Mike McKinney mikemckinneywoodturning.com
WOOD
Mountain Mike's Whetstone Woodworks maggievalleycarving.com
WOOD
Woodburnings by Myron facebook.com/woodburningsbymyron
WOOD
WAYNESVILLE
Axe & Awl Leatherworks axeandawlleatherworks.com
LEATHER
Christina Bendo Pottery christinabendo.com
POTTERY
Folkmoot USA folkmoot.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Glass by Gale glassbygayle.com
GLASS
Green Hill Gallery facebook.com/greenhillgallery11/ GALLERY
Haywood County Arts Council & Gallery haywoodarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
Hazelwood Pottery hazelwoodpottery.com
POTTERY
Jewelers Workbench thejwbench.com
JEWELRY
Kaaren Stoner Design Studio facebook.com/KaarenStonerDesignStudio
POTTERY
Metzger's Burl Wood Gallery burlgallery.com
WOOD
Mud Dabbers Pottery and Crafts muddabberspottery.com
POTTERY
Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts sheltonhouse.org/ MUSEUM
Before you head out
Western North Carolina was impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Artists, galleries, and studios' hours and locations may have changed. We encourage you to contact the sites before visiting them.
Red Metal redmetal.net
METAL
Twigs & Leaves Gallery twigsandleaves.com
GALLERY
Waynesville Public Art Trail waynesvillepublicart.org
SCULPTURE
Whitewoven Textile Arts Studio graffitimats.com
FIBER
CASHIERS
Mountain Mist Gallery mountainmistgallery.com
GALLERY
Wofford Sculpture Studio woffordsculpturestudio.com
SCULPTURE
Zachary-Tolbert House cashiershistoricalsociety.org/ MUSEUM
CULLOWHEE
Mountain Heritage Center
wcu.edu/engage/mountain-heritage-center/index.aspx MUSEUM
Mountain Heritage Day mountainheritageday.com FESTIVAL
Rogers Metals Studio RogersMetals.com METAL
WCU Fine Art Musem wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center/ MUSEUM
DILLSBORO
Dogwood Crafters dogwoodcrafters.com
GALLERY
Green Energy Park jcgep.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Monteith Farmstead appwomen.org
MUSEUM
Tunnel Mountain Crafts facebook.com/tunnelmountaincrafts/ GALLERY
SYLVA
BarkWood Studio facebook.com/barkwoodstudio/ PRINTMAKING/PAPER
Gallery 1 Sylva gallery1sylva.com
GALLERY
Rotunda Gallery jacksoncountyarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
Shira Forge shiraforge.com
METAL
WNC Pottery Festival wncpotteryfestival.com POTTERY
FRANKLIN
Carol Lynn Johnson Glass Art
carollynnjohnson.com GLASS
Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center coweeschool.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Cowee Textiles coweeschool.org/ FIBER
NC Mountain Made ncmountainmade.com
GALLERY
Rickman’s General Store mainspringconserves.org/ be-a-mainspring/properties/therickman-store/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Silverthreadsyarn.com
FIBER
The Uptown Gallery, Macon County Art Association franklinuptowngallery.com
GALLERY
HIGHLANDS
Bijou Jewelry
bijoujeweler.myshopify.com
JEWELRY
The Bascom: A Center for Visual Arts
thebascom.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
CHEROKEE
Bearmeat’s Indian Den bearmeats-indian-den.com
GALLERY
Cherokee Baskets and Vessels facebook.com/traditionalcherokeenc
BASKETS, CLAY
Cherokee Indian Fair (October) visitcherokeenc.com/events/ detail/cherokee-indian-fair/ FESTIVAL
Medicine Man Crafts medicinemancrafts.com
GALLERY
Mountain Farm Museum nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/mfm. htm
MUSEUM
Museum of the Cherokee People motcp.org
MUSEUM
Native American Craft Shop nativeamericancraftshop.com
GALLERY
Oconaluftee Indian Village
visitcherokeenc.com/play/attractions/oconaluftee-indian-village/ MUSEUM
Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc.
quallaartsandcrafts.com
GALLERY
Saunooke’s Mill cherokeesaunookemill.com
GALLERY
Traditional Hands TraditionalHands.com
JEWELRY, GALLERY
BRYSON CITY
Gallery Zella galleryzella.com
GALLERY
Local Handmade Pottery
POTTERY
Southwest Community College Heritage Arts facebook.com/scc.nsa/ EDUCATION
Susan Coe Pottery susancoepottery.com
POTTERY
BRASSTOWN
Brasstown Carvers folkschool.org/BrasstownCarvers/index.php
GALLERY
Fall Festival folkschool.org FESTIVAL
Craft Trail Regions
Smoke in the Mountains Pottery smokeinthemountainspottery. com
POTTERY
Time to Fuse timetofuse.com
GLASS
HAYESVILLE
Cherokee Cultural Center cccra-nc.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Cherokee Heritage Festival cccra-nc.org/cherokee-culture FESTIVAL
Cherokee Homestead Exhibit clayhistoryarts.org/ MUSEUM
Clay County Barn Quilts Trail historichayesvilleinc.com
QUILT TRAIL
Waldroup Woodworks waldroupwoodworks.com
WOOD
MURPHY
Cherokee County Arts Council
cherokeeartscouncil.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Cherokee County Chamber & Welcome Center cherokeecountychamber.com CHAMBER
Cherokee County Historical Museum cherokeecounty-nc.gov/183/Historical-Museum
MUSEUM
Gallery 26 gallery26.org/ GALLERY
Jo Kilmer, Spirit Tall spirittall.com WOOD
Highlander Gallery highlandergallery.com
GALLERY
John C. Campbell Folk School folkschool.org
EDUCATION
Pine Needles and Things facebook.com/PineNeedlesAndThings BASKETS
Relis Art Studio relisart.com
PAINTING
Silva Gallery facebook.com/silvagalleryart
GALLERY
Clay County Chamber
Mural claychambernc.com
MURAL
Festival on the Square clayhistoryartsnc.org/ FESTIVAL
Goldhagen Art Glass S tudio goldhagenartglass.com
GLASS
Historic Clay County Courthouse / Beal Center bealcenter.org/ ARTS ORGANIZATION
Old Jail Museum clayhistoryartsnc.org/ MUSEUM
Lotsa Memories lotsamemories-shop.info/ GALLERY
Murphy Art Center valleyriverarts.com ARTS ORGANIZATION
Olive's Porch olivesporch.org/ EDUCATION
Turning Point Clay turningpointclaystudio.com
POTTERY
ANDREWS
Valleytown Cultural Arts and Historical Center vcahs.com
ARTS CENTER
Far West Central Mountains
High Country to Yadkin Valley Foothills
CENTRAL MOUNTAINS
MARSHALL
Flow Gallery
flowmarshall.com
GALLERY
Madison County Arts Council
madisoncountyarts.com
ARTS COUNCIL
Marshall High Studios marshallhighstudios.com
ART STUDIOS
Melting Mountain Pottery
meltingmountainpottery.com
POTTERY
Moon Girl Glass moongirlglass.com
GLASS
Old Marshall Jail oldmarshalljail.com
MUSEUM
Rose Hollow Connections
rosehollowconnections.com
WOOD Township 10 township10.org/ POTTERY
MARS HILL
Lybar Creations lybarcreations.com
METAL
Mars Landing Gallery
marslandinggalle ries.com
GALLERY
Mudluscious Pottery and Gardens
mudlusciouspottery.com
POTTERY
HOT SPRINGS
Artisun Gallery
facebook.com/ArtiSunGallery
GALLERY
Gallery 339
terrythirion.com
GALLERY
OLD FORT
Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League arrowheadart.org/
GALLERY
Grove Hill Pottery & Farm
facebook.com/grove-hill-pottery1418263098386541/?ref=page_
internal POTTERY, FIBER
Turtle Island Pottery
turtleislandpottery.com/ POTTERY
MARION
McDowell Arts Council mcdowellarts.org/ ARTS COUNCIL
McDowell County Quilt Trail
mcdowellquilttrails.com
QUILT TRAIL
LITTLE SWITZERLAND
Artisan League of Little Switzerland (ALLS) Gallery facebook.com/ArtisanLeagueOfLittleSwitzerland
GALLERY
BAKERSVILLE
Joerling Studio joerlingstudio.com
POTTERY
Speckled Dog Pottery speckleddogpottery.com
POTTERY
Andersen Pottery 828-688-2645
POTTERY
Aurichio Ironworks coleaurichio.com
METAL
Bandana Pottery bandanapottery.com
POTTERY
Collene Karcher Stone
Carver collenekarcher.com
STONECARVING
Geci/Martin Studios jgeciglass.com, courtneymartinpottery.com
GLASS, POTTERY
Gertrude Graham Smith
Pottery gertrudegrahamsmith.com
POTTERY
Guerard Studios guerardglass.com
GLASS
In Tandem Gallery intandemgallery.com
GALLERY
Jenny Lou Sherburne
Pottery
jennylousherburnepottery.com
POTTERY
Kline Pottery klinepottery.com
POTTERY
LZS Pottery & Summerfield Glass lzspottery.com
POTTERY, GLASS
Mica Fine Contemporary Craft micagallerync.com
GALLERY
Nathan & Mariella Favors nathanfavors.com
WOOD
Sweetgrass Artisan Mercantile sweetgrassartisanmercantile.com
GALLERY
Teresa Pietsch Pottery teresapietsch.com
POTTERY
Terry Gess Pottery terrygesspottery.com
POTTERY
PENLAND
Bringle Gallery cynthiabringlepottery.com
POTTERY, FIBER
Penland Gallery penland.org/gallery/ GALLERY
Penland School of Craft penland.org/ CRAFT SCHOOL
SPRUCE PINE
Fire on the Mountain facebook.com/fireonthemountainfestival/ FESTIVAL
Spruce Pine Potters Market SprucePinePottersMarket.com FESTIVAL
Spruce Pine Toe River Arts Gallery toeriverarts.com
GALLERY
Stroup Hobby Shop strouphobbyshop.com
WOOD
TREATS Studio treatsstudios.org/ ART STUDIOS Woody's Chair Shop woodyschairshop.com
WOOD
BURNSVILLE
Andrew Meers Studio andrewmeersstudio.com
METAL
Bernstein Glass bernsteinglass.com
GLASS
Burnsville Toe River Arts Gallery toeriverarts.com
GALLERY
Crowder Guitars facebook.com/crowderguitars
LUTHIER
Forde-Wilson Glass instagram.com/fordewilsonglass/ GLASS
Hartsoe Pottery hartsoepottery.com
POTTERY
Hearth Glass hearthglassnc.com
GLASS
Levin Glass robertlevin.com
GLASS
McWhirter Pottery mcwhirterpottery.com
POTTERY
Mudventions mudventions.com
POTTERY
Page Pottery PagePottery.com
POTTERY
Paul Eisenhauer WOOD
Pieper Glass pieperglass.com
GLASS
Rutkowsky Pottery rutkowskypottery.com
POTTERY
Selena Glass & Metal selenaglassandmetal.com
GLASS,METAL
Toe River Studio Tour
toeriverarts.org/about-the-tour/ GALLERY
TW Weaving twweaving.com
FIBER
Yummy Mud Puddle yummymudpuddle.com
POTTERY
ASHEVILLE
Appalachian Craft Center
Appalachiancraftcenter.com
GALLERY
Arbitrary Forms Studio robertmilnes.com
POTTERY
Ariel Gallery Arielcraftgallery.com
GALLERY
Asheville Art Museum ashevilleart.org/ MUSEUM
Beaverdam Studio Tour beaverdamstudiotour.com
STUDIO TOUR
Biltmore Industries
Homespun Museum grovewood.com/biltmore-industries-homespun-museum/ MUSEUM
Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center blackmountaincollege.org/ MUSEUM
Blue Spiral 1 Gallery bluespiral1.com
GALLERY Center for Craft centerforcraft.org/ GALLERY
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands southernhighlandguild.org/ shops-and-fairs/craft-fair-of-thesouthern-highlands/ FESTIVAL
Edwin Salas edwinsalas.com
SCULPTURE
Folk Art Center southernhighlandguild.org
GALLERY
Gallery of the Mountains galleryofthemountains.com
GALLERY
Grovewood Gallery grovewood.com/grovewood-gallery
GALLERY
JCR Designs
jcrdesigns.net/ POTTERY
Laura Wood Studio laurawoodstudios.com
JEWELRY
Lexington Glassworks lexingtonglassworks.com
GLASS
Momentum Gallery momentumgallery.com
GALLERY
Mora moracollection.com
JEWELRY
Mountain Made mtnmade.com
GALLERY
Noir Collective AVL noircollectiveavl.com
GALLERY
North Carolina Arboretum ncarboretum.org/
GALLERY
North Carolina Ceramic Arts Festival northcarolinaceramicartsfestival. com
FESTIVAL
North Carolina Glass Center ncglasscenter.org
GLASS
Stuart Nye Hand Wrought Jewelry stuartnye.com
JEWELRY
The Basket centerforcraft.org/community-initiatives/the-basket
PUBLIC ART, SCULPTURE
The Woodrow Instrument Company thewoodrow.com
LUTHIER
Waxon Batik & Dye Studio waxonstudio.com
FIBER
Woolworth Walk Wooloworthwalk.com
GALLERY
RIVER ARTS DISTRICT
ASHEVILLE
362 Depot St. aboutcolor.net/ FIBER
Foundation Studios foundationstudiosavl.com
ART STUDIOS
Foundation Woodworks foundationwoodworks.com
WOOD
Local Cloth, Inc. localcloth.org/ FIBER
Pink Dog Creative/Noel Yovovich noelyovovich.bigcartel.com
JEWELRY
Rite of Passage Clothing and Sew Co. riteofpassageclothing.com/, wcsewco.com/ FIBER
River Arts District Assoc. riverartsdistrict.com
ARTS ORGANIZATION
Riverview Station/The Village Potters
Thevillagepotters.com
POTTERY
Trackside Studios tracksidestudios.com
ART STUDIOS
ARDEN
Erica Stankwytch Bailey esbjewelry.com
JEWELRY
Ruthie Cohen etsy.com/shop/ruthiecohenjewelry
JEWELRY
BLACK MOUNTAIN
Black Mountain Center for the Arts blackmountainarts.org GALLERY
Mountain Nest mtnnest.com
GALLERY
Obee Editions/Wishing Flower Press & Bindery obeeeditions.com
PRINTMAKING
Rickenbacker Violins rickenbackerviolins.com LUTHIER
Sarah Sunshine Pottery sarahsunshinepottery.com POTTERY
Seven Sisters Craft Gallery sevensistersgallery.com GALLERY
The Red House Studios & Gallery redhousegallery.org/ GALLERY, STUDIOS
FAIRVIEW
The Patchwork Underground thepatchworkunderground.com FIBER, PAPER
LEICESTER
Cat Jarosz facebook.com/catjaroszpottery
POTTERY
Come to Leicester Studio Tour
cometoleicester.org STUDIO TOUR
Doc Welty thepotterydoc.com
POTTERY
Macadoo Pottery (828) 242-5110
POTTERY
Peggy Eckel, Warp7wvr 828-215-9293
FIBER
SWANNANOA
Spirit Handpans spirithandpans.com
METAL, INSTRUMENT BUILDER
WEAVERVILLE
Crucible Glassworks Crucibleglassworks.com
GLASS
Mangum Pottery mangumpottery.com
POTTERY
Miya Gallery miyagallery.com
GALLERY
Out in Jupiter Farm annhord-heatherley.com
FIBER
Pride and Archive prideandarchivejewelry.com
JEWELRY, WOOD Q Evon Design qevon.com
JEWELRY
Reems Creek Pottery facebook.com/reemscreekpottery
POTTERY
Salvaterra Pottery & Woodworks
Potsandwood.com
POTTERY, WOOD
Weaverville Art Safari weavervilleartsafari.com
STUDIO TOUR
HIGH COUNTRY TO YADKIN VALLEY SPARTA
Alleghany Arts & Crafts facebook.com/alleghanyartscrafts
GALLERY
Blue Ridge Fiber Fest blueridgefiberfest.com
FIBER
Blue Ridge Woodcrafters & Woodcrafts by Hedrick blueridgewoodcrafter.com
WOOD
Carolina Farm Table carolinafarmtable.com
WOOD
Mangum-Cater on Main mangumcateronmain.com
POTTERY
Pottery Place ncmountainartsadventure.com/ the-pottery-place/ POTTERY, GLASS
Three Crows Metal Works
threecrowsmetalworks.com
JEWELRY
LAUREL SPRINGS
Hughes Glass hughesglass.net/ GLASS
ROARING GAP
James Garrett jamespgarrett.net
PAINTING
WEST JEFFERSON
Ashe County Arts Council & Arts Center ashecountyarts.org/ ARTS CENTER
Ashe County Studio Tour ashecountyarts.org/ STUDIO TOUR
Florence Thomas Art School florenceartschool.org/ ARTS CENTER
High Meadows Pottery 336-877-0446
POTTERY
CRUMPLER
Grassy Creek Pottery grassycreekpottery.com
POTTERY
CRESTON
Red Salamander Pottery redsalamanderpottery.com
POTTERY
LANSING
Lost Province Center for the Cultural Arts lostprovincearts.org
ARTS ORGANIZATION
CROSSNORE
Crossnore Weavers crossnore.org/crossnore-weavers FIBER
BANNER ELK
Art Cellar Gallery artcellaronline.com
GALLERY
Historic Banner Elk School Cultural Arts Center beartistsgallery.com
ARTS CENTER
Before you head out
Western North Carolina was impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Artists, galleries, and studios' hours and locations may have changed. We encourage you to contact the sites before visiting them.
Maggie Black Pottery maggieblackpottery.com
POTTERY
NEWLAND
MH Studios mhstudios.com WOOD
Pam Brewer pambrewer.com POTTERY
Stringham Carvings facebook.com/stringhamcarvings WOOD
BEECH MOUNTAIN
Avery County Quilt Trail beechmtn.com/avery-countyquilt-trail/ QUILT TRAIL
LINVILLE FALLS
Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden and Gallery studiosculpture.com SCULPTURE
LENOIR
Bolick Pottery bolickandtraditionspottery.com POTTERY
Caldwell Arts Council caldwellarts.com
ARTS ORGANIZATION
Gin's Knob Folk Art
828-729-2437
FOLK ART
Kogut Violins 828-493-4875
LUTHIER
Latos Pottery 828-381-1589
POTTERY
Wishful Thinking Studio wishfulthinkingstudio.com
POTTERY
WNC Sculpture Center wncsculpture.org/ SCULPTURE
HUDSON
HUB Station townofhudsonnc.com/the-hubstation GALLERY
ELKIN
Foothills Arts Center foothillsarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
John Furches Gallery johnfurches.com PRINTMAKING
The November Room remembernovember1109@gmail. com
GALLERY
Yadkin Valley Fiber Center yadkinvalleyfibercenter.org/ FIBER
Yadkin Valley Quilts yadkinvalleyquilts.com QUILTING
MT. AIRY
Surry Arts Council surryarts.org/ ARTS COUNCIL
BLOWING ROCK
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum blowingrockmuseum.org/ MUSEUM
High Country Candles highcountrycandles.net/ CANDLES
Southern Highland Craft Guild in Moses Cone Manor southernhighlandguild.org or mosesconemanor/ GALLERY
The Mountain Thread Company themountainthreadcompany.com FIBER
Traditions Pottery bolickandtraditionspottery.com POTTERY
BOONE
Doe Ridge Pottery doeridgepottery.homestead.com POTTERY
Hands Gallery handsgallery.org/ GALLERY
Jones House joneshouse.org/ GALLERY
Turchin Center tcva.appstate.edu
MUSEUM
Watauga Arts Council watauga-arts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
SUGAR GROVE
Capozzoli Guitar Company capozzoliguitarcompany.com
LUTHIER
BOOMER
Betsy Brey 336-921-2424
BASKETS
TRAPHILL
Mary Freas-Sunset Fiber Works sunsetfiberworks.com FIBER
MILLERS CREEK
Susan Roath GLASS
North Wilkesboro Taupe Gallery taupegallery.com
GALLERY
Wilkes Art Gallery wilkesartgallery.org
GALLERY
Wilkes County Hardware hardwarelifewife.com
GALLERY
WILKESBORO
Ben Long Fresco-St. Paul's stpaulwilkesboro.org/frescoes-ofst-pauls MURAL
HAMPTONVILLE
Two Creeks Pottery POTTERY
YADKINVILLE
Beth Andrews Art bethandrews-art.com
MIXED MEDIA
Lisa Reavis Drum yadkinarts.org/artisans/lisa-reavis-drum/ MIXED MEDIA
Ron Davis 336-466-3182
WOOD
Yadkin County Quilt Trail visityadkin.com
QUILT TRAIL
Yadkin Cultural Arts Center yadkinarts.org/ GALLERY
FOOTHILLS
MORGANTON
Burke Arts Council burkearts.org/ ARTS COUNCIL
Hamilton Williams Gallery and Studio hamiltonwilliams.com
POTTERY, GALLERY
Markey & Son markeywoodcraft.com
WOOD
Oak Hill Iron + Wood oakhilliron.com
METAL, WOOD
OSuzannah's osuzannahsyarnonunion.com
FIBER
Paradise Custom Glass paradisecsg.com
GLASS
West Union Art Studios westunionartstudiosllc.com
POTTERY
DREXEL
Denise Riddle Art
POTTERY, MIXED MEDIA
VALDESE
Rock School Arts Foundation rockschoolartgalleries.com
ARTS ORGANIZATION
TRYON
Kudzu Patch Productions kudzupatch.net
LUTHIER
Meghan Bernard meghanbernardpottery.com/ about
POTTERY
Nest Artisan Market facebook.com/the-nest-artisan-market-663378487092561
GALLERY
S. Oliver Pottery samanthaoliver.com
POTTERY
Saluda Forge
saludaforge.net/ METAL
Tryon Arts & Crafts School tryonartsandcrafts.org
CRAFT SCHOOL
Tryon Fine Art Center tryonarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
Tryon Painters & Sculptors
tryonpaintersandsculptors.com
GALLERY
Upstairs Artspace upstairsartspace.org
GALLERY
SALUDA
Heartwood Contemporary Crafts Gallery heartwoodsaluda.com
GALLERY
Saluda Moon Glass Studio & Gallery
saludamoonglassstudio.art/ GLASS
Wood Berry Gallery woodberrygallery.net
GALLERY
MILL SPRING
BJ Precourt, Wood facebook.com/bjthefolkartcover WOOD
COLUMBUS
Dacey Porcelains daceyporcelains.com
POTTERY
RUTHERFORDTON
Beard Instuments facebook.com/pages/ category/musical-instrument-store/beard-instruments-209431466155662/ LUTHIER
Dragonfly Market Place facebook.com/dragonflywnc/ GALLERY
Impulse Art Shop impulseartshop.com
GALLERY
Night Owl Iron Works
nightowlironworks.com
METAL
Porch Potters theporchpotters.com
POTTERY
Rutherford Visual Arts Center artatthevac.com
ARTS CENTER
FOREST CITY
Bairs Den Pottery facebook.com/bairsden-pottery-1042966892513692/ POTTERY
Off the Beaded Path offthebeadedpathbeadstore.com
JEWELRY
Weitzel Art weitzelart.net
SCULPTURE
CHIMNEY ROCK
Doug Bowman Galleries
therusticlamp.com
WOOD
UNION MILLS
Parsons Wood Artistry parsonswoodartistry.com WOOD
BREVARD
3 Oak Handcrafted 3oakhandcrafted.com WOOD
Blue Moon Gallery and Frame bluemoongalleryandframe.com GALLERY
DerGara Studios anndergaraart.com PRINTMAKING
Lizards Rock lizardsrockbrevard.com
GALLERY
Local Color facebook.com/LocalColorShop GALLERY
Mud Dabbers Pottery of Brevard muddabbers.com
POTTERY
Newfound Artisan newfoundartisan.com
LEATHER, JEWELRY Number 7 Arts number7arts.org
GALLERY
Red Wolf Gallery redwolfgallerync.com GALLERY
Starfangled Press StarfangledPress.com PRINTMAKING
The Duckpond Pottery facebook.com/theduckpondpottery POTTERY
The Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio
lucyclarkgallery.com
POTTERY, GALLERY
Transylvania Community Arts Council
tcarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL
HENDERSONVILLE
A Walk in the Woods awalkinthewoodswnc.com
GALLERY
Apple Country Woodcrafters applecountrywoodcrafters.org/ WOOD
Art MoB Studios and Marketplace artmobstudios.com
GALLERY, STUDIOS
Carolina Mountain Artists Guild facebook.com/carolinaartists
GALLERY
Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists hwfawnc.org
FIBER
Pink House Studio
POTTERY
Woodlands Attire & Art shopwoodlands.com
GALLERY
FLAT ROCK
Art on Main acofhc.org/ EVENT
Arts Council of Henderson County acofhc.org/ ARTS COUNCIL
Berning Pottery berningpottery.com POTTERY
Henderson County Open
Studio Tours
STUDIO TOUR
Sweet Magnolia Gallery melindalawton.com
JEWELRY
The Gallery at Flat Rock galleryflatrock.com
GALLERY
MILLS RIVER
Leftwich Pottery
leftwichpottery.com
POTTERY
Maggie Valley Rock Shop
Restablished In 2015 with the arrival of Blue Earth Traders, Maggie Valley’s sleepy tucked away rock shop began expanding! Still tucked away under huge trees and bamboo, they now have 2 heated buildings, a gazebo, a greenhouse and numerous outdoor displays! Ever changing huge inventory and killer
prices are the business model that makes this a world class destination rock shop! And don’t forget their gem mine sluice buckets are chock full of cool gemstones! Not just a rock shop they offer handmade jewelry, soaps, skincare products, sages and now even have a Candy Corner! Fossils? Yep! From a large collection of Carolina
Megalodons to Wooly Mammoth and Wooly Rhinoceras teeth and jawbones! Jewelry?
They’re loaded, from a vast array of Sterling Silver at rock shop prices, to your favorite gemstone stretch bracelet. Meteorites to Moldavite, its here! Open Daily 10-6!
Forged by Fire
Night Owl Iron Works & Leathercraft
LEARN MORE
Initially, Jordan Jackson was just looking for a hobby. Something where he could be creative, use his hands, and still be able to be at home and take care of his son, with Jackson being a single dad at the time.
“I’d be out behind the house working on projects while my son was in bed and I could go check on him,” Jackson said. “That’s kind of where I picked up the craft.”
The craft was blacksmithing. Jackson learned quickly, and he began to excel as a young metalsmith. Between the red-hot forge and slew of traditional tools used to craft his wares, Jackson found an artistic avenue and spiritual headspace to call his own.
“I’ve just always been really intrigued by the material,” Jackson said.
Originally, Jackson was a hairstylist in Rutherfordton. Back then, his daily life consisted of cutting hair during the day and stoking the hot coals of the forge at night, all while honing his craft as a blacksmith late into the evening.
“It was a slow build,” Jackson said of
becoming a professional blacksmith. “Then, I started taking more time off from the salon and teaching more [blacksmith classes]. I got to the point where I had to pick something to focus on — the ironwork won out.”
By 2016, he’d established Night Owl Iron Works in Rutherfordton. A few years later, his now wife, Rachel, was encouraged by Jordan to pick up a craft of her own. Soon, she found leathercraft. Rachel didn’t think it would stick at first, but something clicked within.
"I was laid off from my job and Jordan kept encouraging me to try leatherwork,” Rachel said. “I’d never worked with my hands before. But, it was so rewarding. It was trial and error, and I fell in love with it — I can’t imagine doing anything else now.”
Now known as Night Owl Iron Works & Leathercraft, the couple’s handcrafted pieces range from custom knives and a bevy of utilitarian items to wallets, belts, and more.
Jordan Jackson hammering away at a piece of iron.
“I want for something to have a use, some type of practical use,” Jordan said. “If you’re going to make something just utilitarian, you’ll make it the best you can, the most appealing you can, even if it’s something as simple as a hook or knife.”
But, the real “pinch me” moment for Night Owl came when Jordan won the “Forged in Fire” championship in 2021, a popular show on The History Channel. From there, it was international exposure for his talents.
“Right now, we’re making a shift from more custom pieces to an actual inventory,” Rachel said. “We’ve been building this brand and it’s been strange to think we now have people contacting us directly and just want to know what we have [for purchase].”
In terms of the in-person workshops offered at Night Owl, hands-on topics attendees and apprentices can dive deep into and create pieces on their own include: “Intro to Blacksmithing,” “Horseshoe Knife,” “Pack Knife,” “Railroad Spike Knife,” “Tomahawk,” and “Custom Knife,” amongst many others.
And yet, even with the accolades, notoriety, and continued evolution of Night Owl, what remains for Jordan Jackson is the intricate, intrinsic act of a human being finding themselves in a delicate dance with the natural elements of fire and water — carefully conjuring and cultivating exquisite pieces to stand the test of time.
“It’s a lot of heat and noise. It’s intense and there’s a lot going on,” Jackson said. “You’re tiring yourself out and swinging away. But, there’s this stillness I find there — it’s this quiet on the inside [of myself] that I enjoy.
Creating Community
Noir Collective AVL
In the heart of downtown Asheville, along Market Street, in a district known as “The Block,” sits the Noir Collective AVL. A beehive of creativity and community, the business is many things to many people — art gallery, boutique store, bookstore and, perhaps, most importantly, a beacon of culture.
“So, ‘collective’ kind of takes the place of the word ‘community’ to insinuate that there’s a way we can thrive together,”
said Alexandria Monque Ravenel. “The creators? Their job is to be creative. Our job is to take care of this place.”
Ravenel and her youngest child, Ajax, co-own the Noir Collective AVL. Opened in 2020, it’s a proudly Blackowned business, with the ethos of the establishment residing in what’s clearly stated on their website: “While we cannot change the past, we can look forward to an inclusive future.”
“We have some really experienced artists here who need nothing from me, just a place to show their work,” Ravenel said. “Then, we have new artists coming in and they’re not sure how to show their work. And we have conversations with these artists to talk about what it means to price according to their value, time, and work.”
“The Block” is the nickname for the longtime African American business sector centered around Market Street. The crown jewel of the district is the YMI Cultural Center, a large building housing numerous community organizations and Blackowned stores, including the Noir Collective AVL — all of which form an anchor of commerce and community for African Americans living in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina.
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Noir Collective is a cultural beehive located on “The Block” in Asheville.
“It’s an honor to be kind of a steward of this mission, which is to make sure that Black presence is not erased from The Block,” Ravenel said.
And although The Block remains a bastion of Black culture in Asheville, the city itself has had much of its Black history disappear underneath the sands of time, with much of the prominent names and businesses fading away.
Case in point, the Noir Collective AVL aims to not only preserve the rich, vibrant history of Black culture and business in the area, but also perpetuate the growth and progress of new entities pushing headlong into the 21st century and beyond.
“A lot has been erased,” Ravenel said. “And that’s our task here at the Noir Collective — we’re on a less beaten path.”
One of the key initiatives put forth by the Noir Collective AVL is the popular “First Friday” gatherings. Each first Friday of the month, the business is transformed into an evening of genuine connectivity. Certain artists are showcased and bountiful conversations sparked, with all in attendance leaving the space with a better sense of self, and of their surroundings.
“It’s themed, and nobody knows the theme until somebody emerges and says, ‘Hey, I want to do something,’” Ravenel said. “It could be poetry and painting, actors doing monologues, an art opening or a dance party — we want to give everybody an opportunity [to participate].”
And yet, even with the passion put forth by the Noir Collective AVL in cultivating Black culture and sharing it with those walking into the shop — on purpose or by happenstance — what Ravenel ultimately aims for is a time when we see each other as artists and human beings simply creating and interacting with each other.
“We hope for a time where we don’t need anything labeled as ‘Black-owned,’ ‘Black-featured,’ or ‘Black-focused,’” Ravenel said. “Where opportunities open up that are equitable across the block, so then we can just be a shop of entrepreneurs.”
"The Playwright" by Jenny Pickens.
Throwing Inspiration
WNC
Pottery Festival
When it comes to clay and pottery in Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia, the epitome of creativity, camaraderie, and candor is Joe Frank McKee.
“I love promoting clay,” McKee said. “More clay is used for art therapy and so many more things than just making pots. They even use high-temperature ceramic tiles for space shuttles.”
Taking place each November, the gathering, which was originally in Dillsboro, has been held in Bridge Park in Sylva in recent years. With dozens of vendors, countless pottery lovers, and the curious alike descending upon the event, it has become one of the marquee fall arts and crafts dates in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“Potters are a tight-knit network of friends,” McKee said. “And [the festival] is that common thread for people on what they want to make, what they want to do, and how you can just light somebody up to have a good experience.”
Launched in 2005, the festival itself has become the stuff of legend.
“We wanted to give Western North Carolina an opportunity to showcase their potters,” McKee modestly noted. “We just
wanted to establish something here.”
With thousands of spectators attending the one-day festival, it’s a place where imagination, ingenuity, and innovation collide in this organized chaos of malleable materials and the human spirit. Especially when it comes to the pinnacle of the festival, the “North Carolina Throwdown” (formerly the “Clay Olympics”), where potters compete against each other in front of a live audience.
During the throwdown, potters are given certain obstacles to overcome, including setting the potter’s wheel in reverse to shake up the competitors and see just what might come to fruition.
The WNC Pottery Festival, now a fixture at Bridge Park in Sylva, has been attracting potters and visitors since 2005.
“If the pots are flowing and everything is clicking?” McKee said. “You just keep moving.”
For McKee, his genuine love and passion for pottery first emerged while in college. Initially, he was an architectural engineering major. But, then, by chance and happenstance, McKee switched schools and found himself in a ceramics class.
“I was hooked. I could understand [pottery],” McKee said. “And I was very fortunate that my instructor owned a gallery and did art shows.”
By having a professor not only skilled in making pottery, but also well-versed in how to market and sell one’s wares, McKee absorbed the ideal skillset to create honestly and to run a business efficiently.
“We learned to make functional pots, but he taught it from a standpoint of making a living doing it,” McKee said. “And after graduation, I opened a gallery.”
Throwing clay since 1990, McKee is quickly approaching 35 years immersed in a craft and a business at the heart of who he is, with Jackson County being his home and studio for many years.
“It all just ‘harmonizes,’ I guess that would be the word,” McKee said. “You don’t hear it, but there’s rhythms all around you.”
When asked what that “in the zone” space is like while in the midst of taking a lump of clay and conjuring a piece of artistic beauty, whether it be alone in the studio setting or doing a live demonstration, McKee chuckles.
“The firing process is always a spiritual moment,” McKee said. “With the throwing part of it, you’re just so wrapped in it. When it’s right, when it’s smooth as silk? Nothing else matters.”
Happenings & Events
JANUARY
Fiber Expo, Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists
Hendersonville www.hwfawnc.org/events
APRIL
Southern Highland Craft Guild, Glass, Metal & Clay Day
Asheville
blueridgeheritage.com/event/glass-metalday
Weaverville Art Safari
Weaverville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ weaverville-art-safari
Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival
Spruce Pine
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/fireon-the-mountain
Local Cloth Fiber Fest
Asheville
blueridgeheritage.com/event/local-clothfiberfest
MAY
Southern Highland Craft Guild: Fiber Day, May
Asheville blueridgeheritage.com/event/fiber-day
Village Potters, Annual Multi-kiln Opening Event
Asheville thevillagepotters.com/but-wait-theresmore/annual-multi-kiln-openingcelebration
WNC Yarn Crawl
Various sites wncyarncrawl.com/about
JUNE
Art on the Greene Banner Elk, 4 weekends every summer bannerelk.com/members/art-on-thegreene
Before you head out Western North Carolina was impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Artists, galleries, and studios' hours and locations may have changed. We encourage you to contact the sites before visiting them.
Blue Ridge Fiber Fest
Sparta blueridgefiberfest.com
Toe River Arts Studio Tour
Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Bakersville (Yancey & Mitchell Counties), blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/toeriver-studio-tour
Stecoah Drive-about Tour
Robbinsville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ stecoah-drive-about-tour
JULY
Festival on the Square
Hayesville, 2nd weekend in July blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ festival-on-the-square
The Big Crafty
Pack Square Park, Asheville thebigcrafty.com
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Asheville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/craftfair-of-the-southern-highlands southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair
AUGUST
Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
Burnsville Town Square yanceychamber.com/crafts-fair
Ashe County Studio Tour
West Jefferson, Jefferson, Crumpler, Laurel Springs, Todd, Creston, Warrensville and Lansing (or just Ashe County) blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ashecounty-studio-tour
Southern Highland Craft Guild: Wood Day Asheville blueridgeheritage.com/event/southernhighland-craft-guild-wood-days
Come to Leicester Studio Tour Leicester cometoleicester.org
Franklin Folk Festival Cowee School, Franklin blueridgeheritage.com/event/16th-annualfranklin-area-folk-festival-a-celebration-ofappalachian-heritage
SEPTEMBER
Mountain Heritage Festival Sparta alleghanycountychamber.com/mountainheritage-festival
Cherokee Heritage Festival
Hayesville blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ cherokee-heritage-festival
Haywood County Studio Tour
Haywood County haywoodarts.org/studio-tour
Heritage Weekend, Folk Art Center
Asheville blueridgeheritage.com/event/heritageweekend-at-the-folk-art-center
Mountain Heritage Day
Cullowhee blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ mountain-heritage-day-western-carolinauniversity
Art in Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival
Weaverville blueridgeheritage.com/event/weavervilleart-in-autumn-arts-crafts-festival
Art on Main
Hendersonville blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/arton-main
Art on the Island Marshall blueridgeheritage.com/event/art-on-theisland-2024
OCTOBER
Folk School Fall Festival
Brasstown
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/folkschool-fall-festival
Cherokee Indian Fair
Cherokee blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ cherokee-indian-fair
Spruce Pine Potters Market
Spruce Pine
sprucepinepottersmarket.com
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Asheville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/craftfair-of-the-southern-highlands southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair
NC Mountain Arts Adventure Studio Tour
Alleghany County ncmountainartsadventure.com
NC Ceramic Arts Festival
Asheville northcarolinaceramicartsfestival.com
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair Fletcher NC saffsite.org
Open Studio Tour Presented by the Art League of Henderson County
Hendersonville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ henderson-county-open-studio-tour
Beaverdam Studio Tour
Asheville beaverdamstudiotour.com
NOVEMBER
WNC Pottery Festival
Sylva
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/wncpottery-festival/
Weaverville Art Safari
Weaverville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ weaverville-art-safari
Toe River Arts Studio Tour
Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Bakersville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/toeriver-studio-tour
River Arts District 2022 Studio Stroll
Asheville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ asheville-river-arts-district
Marshall Handmade Market
Marshall marshallhandmade.com
Stecoah Drive-about Tour
Robbinsville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ stecoah-drive-about-tour
Grassy Creek Pottery, Kiln opening
Crumpler
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ grassy-creek-pottery
Bolick Pottery, Kiln opening
Lenoir, Saturday after Thanksgiving blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/ bolick-pottery
Two Creeks Pottery
Hamptonville, weekend after Thanksgiving blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/twocreeks-pottery
DECEMBER
Appalachian Potters Market
Marion mcdowellarts.org/apm.html
Hamilton Williams Gallery Studio
Seconds Sale
Morganton
Fairview Handmade Market
Fairview
blueridgeheritage.com/event/fairviewhandmade-market
Christmas in the Mountains
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Robbinsville
stecoahvalleycenter.com/calendar/ christmas-in-the-mountains-indoor-artscrafts-show
Mud Dabbers Pottery & Crafts, Open House
Waynesville
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/muddabbers-pottery-crafts/
The Big Crafty Asheville thebigcrafty.com
Christmas Makers Market at the HUB Station
Hudson, December blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/hubstation
Mud Dabbers of Brevard, Open House
Brevard, December
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/muddabbers-pottery-of-brevard
Doc Watson mural in Wilkesboro. NCPIX.COM PHOTO
Dogwood Crafters
At a prominent crossroads in the Great Smoky Mountains lies Dillsboro, North Carolina. Just around the corner is a historic log building, the home of Dogwood Crafters. Formed in 1976, the craft cooperative houses the work of an average of 100 local craftsman in an everchanging display of creativity, imagination and skill.
From humble beginnings the shop grew to fill its present home, three tourist cabins from the 1930’s, joined together, remodeled and expanded to become what it is today, 12 rooms showcasing both traditional and contemporary art and craft. A jurying process keeps the work of its members, old and new alike, that of quality, good taste and a delightful selection of
mountain craftsmanship.
Stepping into the shop visitors are immediately immersed in a fascinating array of the work of Dogwood’s members. The walls and shelves showcase art and craft from original photography and paintings, prints and signs, both large and small, for that perfect piece of décor or gift to take home. Jewelry catches an eye just inside, too.
Explore further for baskets, woodworking, quilts, pillows and glass. Observant shoppers may note three two sided fireplaces as they work their way through the various rooms, evidence of the history of the building. Each is cleverly designed and decorated with a theme, coordinated by volunteers. Pottery, walking sticks, cards and art reside primarily in the
Gallery. Woodenware and carving, baskets of all types lead the way through to headwear, scarves and shawls. Needful things for the kitchen, including a pantry and a roomful of treasures for children are at opposite ends of the building. Of course, there is a Christmas and a Holiday room for every gift and decorating need.
Rarely does a visitor fail to find something for the hard to please! Folks return often for new things as the artwork and displays are ever changing.
The shop’s nonprofit designation results in active and continuing education and scholarship programs. It is all run by a dedicated group of crafters who prove that it DOES take a village to achieve 48 years of success!
