The best of mountain crafts.
While riding on the parkway, pay a visit to the acclaimed
Folk Art Center

The Folk Art Center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. It's the most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is only a stone's throw from downtown Asheville.

The Guild was formed in 1928 by a group of distinguished craft educators, including William Hutchins, President of Berea College, Dr. Mary Martin Sloop of Crossnore School, Mrs. John C Campbell from the Folk School and Lucy Morgan of the Penland School, to conserve and develop mountain crafts.
To become a member in this organization an applicant's work must be accepted by a juried committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship. Membership in the Guild now totals over 900 and is limited to the nine states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Carolinas.

The guild's Allanstand Craft Shop is one of the oldest continuously operated craft shop in America. It occupies 3200 square feet on the first level of the Folk Art Center and is filled with fine traditional and contemporary crafts such as weaving, quilting, pottery, baskets, paper, glass, jewelry, woodworking and blacksmithing. These are the skills that have been passed
down from one generation to the next.

Throughout the year individual members are highlighted and given the opportunity to present new and experimental works. Craft demonstrations are held in the lobby 10 am -4 pm daily, from March through December.

For full article see Charlotte Observer