Cultivating the crafts & makers

of the Southern Highlands

since 1930.

Cultivating the crafts & makers

of the Southern Highlands

since 1930.

With a creative community of juried members spanning over nine states, the Southern Highland Craft Guild fosters opportunities for makers to build, market, and maintain their creative livelihood through continuing education, retail outlets, and mentorship. We are invested in helping members achieve their goals and providing them with the resources to refine and sell their craft. The Southern Highland Craft Guild is headquartered at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway..

The 77th Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands takes place July 18-21 & Oct 17-20, 2024 at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville (downtown). For more information, visit craftguild.org/craftfair.

SHOP OUR FINE CRAFT COLLECTION ONLINE

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Impacting the
Creative Community

We educate the region and arts community on the importance of craft and its ability to impact the local creative economy. Through our retail locations, demonstrations, craft fairs, and special events, we promote the purpose and appreciation of our makers and their craft.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Cultivating Fine Craft

The Southern Highland Craft Guild is an advocate for high quality craftsmanship and goods made, sold, and curated in the Southern Highlands. Since 1930 we have served as a visionary advocate to help generations value the design and function of traditional and modern crafts.

EXHIBITION EVENTS
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Valerie Berlage demonstration, 2023
Valerie Berlage demonstration, 2023

Our Makers

For 90 years, the Guild has curated over 800 artisans, juried in based on their fine craftsmanship of twelve different mediums. These makers reside in the mountain regions of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, & West Virginia.

How to Join

Interested in joining our creative network of artisans? Learn about the benefits of membership and receive guidance on your application for the two-part jury to join the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Upcoming Events

View the Event Calendar to see all upcoming events.

CRAFT FAIRS & SPECIAL EVENTS

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

DAILY CRAFT DEMOS

Free craft demonstrations take place in the lobby of the Folk Art Center from March through December from 10 am-4 pm. A demonstration schedule will be posted closer to March.

News & Stories

Education Event Series 2024

Contact: Millie Davis Marketing Director [email protected] 803-604-6508 Contact: Janet Wiseman Event Coordinator [email protected] 828-298-7928 (Folk Art Center) Educational Event Series…

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How to Join the Guild: Application Workshops

How to Join the Guild: Application Workshops 2024 Dates & Times: In-person workshops at the Folk Art Center, 1:00pm-3:30pm February…

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Craft Thinking & Making: Craft Studies Conference

Craft Thinking & Making: Critical Craft Studies | March 1-3, 2024 The Southern Highland Craft Guild hosts its First Inaugural…

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Art of Detailing

The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens Art of Detailing in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center Location: Folk…

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Presenting Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts at the Folk Art Center

Presenting Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts at the Folk Art Center by Millie Davis January 12, 2024 Sargent Shadow…

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Creating Textures

Contact: Millie Davis [email protected] Creating Textures: The Focus Gallery Exhibition at the Folk Art Center features the work of five Guild…

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Historical Collection

We invite you to walk through our permanent collection of historical, archived, Appalachian craft at the Folk Art Center. This exhibit of approximately 250 works features woodcarving, textiles, furniture, basketry, pottery, dolls, and other crafts of Southern Appalachia, dating from 1855 to the late 20th century. Many pieces date from the 19th century and were collected in the Asheville area by Frances L. Goodrich, a founding member of the Guild.

Our Permanent Collection also includes works from Berea College, Campbell Folk School, Penland School and other centers that have taught craft skills and connected makers to markets throughout the 20th century. These institutions also added their own patterns to the rhythms of mountain life, such as the Friday morning custom of local carvers coming to the Folk School to sell their latest works.

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