June 8-10, 2012, 10 AM-6 PM
November 30 (12 noon to 4 PM), December 1 & 2, 10 AM to 5 PM 
The Toe River Studio Tour showcases the work of 100 artists and crafts people across two mountain counties, located about 40 miles northeast of Asheville. It is held the second weekend of June and first weekend of December.
The self-guided tour is presented by the Toe River Arts Council. Pick up a free map at the TRAC galleries in Burnsville and downtown Spruce Pine, or any of the tour's studios and nine galleries throughout Yancey and Mitchell counties. The tour began in 1993 and is held twice a year, with the December tour taking on a holiday flavor. Go to their website to download a map.
Arts lovers will discover new treasures in the mountain counties of Yancey and Mitchell during the Toe River Studio Tour. A free 40-page guide (available at the Toe River Arts Council offices in Burnsville and Spruce Pine) includes detailed maps to the studios on the tour, as well as bios on artists and their work. Small signs erected along byways and country roads keep folks on the right path, while many studios provide refreshments.
"It's like a treasure hunt. You take a map and head out to look for our signs to find these hidden treasures in the mountains," says Denise Cook of the Toe River Arts Council, which has hosted the tours since 1993. "It's a rare opportunity for many of these places to be open because many of the artists only open their studios for this tour."
Cook says the Toe River Studio Tour has become popular because of the fun involved in finding studios and discovering unique artwork in forms from clay to fiber to metals to glass.
"When you meet the maker of a piece of artwork, you get a different perspective on that piece. It's informative," she says. "When you shop elsewhere, you just see the work. You don't have the opportunity to meet the person and see their studio."
See more great Art Events & Festivals.
For more info, call TRAC at (828) 682-7215.
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