The Folk Art Center in Asheville (on the Blue Ridge Parkway) showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians. It houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s century-old Allanstand Craft Shop, exhibitions in three galleries, a library and an auditorium. The Guild's Permanent Collection is featured in an exhibition of craft from Appalachia. Located on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 382 (near the U.S. 70 intersection, 8 miles southeast of downtown), the Folk Art Center was opened in 1980 as a cooperative effort between the Guild, the National Park Service and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Nearby is the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center.
The Folk Art Center is the most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, welcoming 250,000 visitors each year. From March through December, visitors can observe craftspeople at work in daily craft demonstrations as well as a series of educational events held year round. The Folk Art Center also houses the Eastern National Bookstore with Parkway souvenirs and Blue Ridge Parkway Information Center. Read about special exhibitions at the Folk Art Center. Free Admission.
Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
January - March 9am-5pm
April - December 9am- 6pm
The Folk Art Center offers an unparalled opportunity to experience Appalachian culture and craft through events, exhibitions and shopping. Go to the Folk Art Center Web site.
2012 Folk Art Center Special Events (See more Art Events & Festivals)
Daily Craft Demonstrations
April – December, 10 am–4pm daily
Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild share their expertise and inspiration with visitors in the Folk Art Center lobby. From broom-making to wood turning and weaving, there is plenty to see throughout the season. Free.
Fiber Weekend
Saturday, May 12, 10am–4pm
Fiber craft demonstrations and hands on activities
Sunday, May 13, 1pm and 3pm
13th Annual Fashion Show of Wearable Art
Fiber artists from the Southern Highland Craft Guild and other area guilds provide hands-on learning about a myriad of fiber crafts. Many uses of fiber are explored. Sheep shearing demonstrations are featured throughout the day. Learn about hands-on projects and ideas about how to get crafty with textiles. On Sunday, the Folk Art Center’s auditorium will be transformed into a runway for the Fashion Show of Wearable Art with styles from contemporary to traditional, from funky to classic. Free
Asheville Community Band Concert
Sunday, May 27, 3–5pm. Free
Clay Day
Saturday, June 2, 10am–4pm
Potters and other ceramic artists from the Southern Highland Craft Guild share a variety of techniques such as throwing, sculpture and coil-building. This event features the opportunity to glaze and watch the firing of raku pots. Raku is a ceramic firing process which uses fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs. Free
Wood Day
Saturday, August 11,
10am–4pm
Join Guild woodworkers for an exciting day exploring various forms of woodcraft. Featuring the 12th Annual Carve Off Competition from 1–3pm. Participants begin with a simple block of wood. They are challenged to carve that block into a work of art within a two-hour period. When the whistle blows, a panel of esteemed judges determine who has fashioned the finest and most skilled carved wood sculpture.
Heritage Weekend
Saturday, September 15, 10am–4pm &
Sunday, September 16, 12–5pm
Southern Highland Craft Guild’s weekend to celebrate heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains with traditional craftspeople showing craft techniques with hand tools, native materials, and lots of ingenuity through demonstrations in the native arts. In addition to crafts, several other traditional aspects of Appalachian life will be featured, such as traditional music and storytelling. Don’t miss the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2-3pm. Free. Read more about the Heritage Weekend.
Tellabration
November 18, 3–5pm
Tellabration is an internationally recognized day of storytelling featuring traditional folk tales and contemporary stories by some of the most recognizable names in storytelling. (Limited seating, admission)
Guild Artist Holiday Sale
Saturday, December 1: 10am–4pm
Saturday, December 8: 10am–4pm
The Guild Artist Holiday Sale provides an opportunity for individual members and the organization to sell over-runs, discontinued stock and studio seconds in a festive atmosphere during the holiday season. Free admission.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Held each July and October in downtown Asheville at the Civic Center
See our Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Guide.
See the Calendar for Art Exhibitions at the Folk Art Center. See more great Art Events & Festivals.
History
In 1890 when Frances Goodrich, a Yale graduate, moved to Buncombe County, NC, to do missionary work for the Presbyterian Church, she could hardly have imagined what would eventually become of her "good work". She found a few women who were still weaving traditional coverlets in wool and cotton, and from these associations Goodrich's idea of a cottage industry that would assist mountain families grew. Allanstand Cottage Industries, which she founded in 1897, in Madison County, NC, would ultimately become Allanstand Craft Shop. Goodrich moved the business to downtown Asheville in 1908 and from her College Street headquarters, she would network with other leaders of the Southern Arts and Crafts movement.
In 1928, many of them met at Penland School of crafts and the idea of the Southern Highland Craft Guild was formed. Chartered in 1930, it would grow to become one of the strongest craft organizations in the country. Second in age only to the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts, the Guild now represents over 900 craftspeople in 293 counties of 9 southeastern states. The Guild has partnered with the National Park Service for more than fifty years.
