Special Events
Our Educational Event Series consists of free interactive events that take place at the Folk Art Center throughout the year on Saturdays, 10am-4pm. In addition to our educational events, our Holiday Sales (first two weekends in December) and Mini Pop-up Craft Fairs (May and June) take place at the Folk Art Center. Find our Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in downtown Asheville at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville in July and October.
Daily Demonstrations
When you visit the Folk Art Center March-December, you'll be greeted in the lobby with craft demonstrations by member artisans of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Exhibition on display: big/LITTLE, a play in proportion
Exhibition on display upstairs in the Folk Art Center’s main gallery exhibition room. Featuring work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild focusing on a play in proportion.
Class of 2025 – Haywood Community Colleges’ Professional Crafts Program
The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens its Main Gallery exhibition at the Folk Art Center showcasing the Graduating Class of 2025 of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program on May 10th. Located on the second floor until September 18th, the show continues the historical relationship between the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Haywood, an educational…
Exhibition on display: A Legacy Worth Noting
Starting February 1 through April 30, the main gallery at the Folk Art Center will feature the work of Life and Lifetime Achievement Members, (current and in the permanent collection).
How to Join the Guild: ZOOM Application Workshops
Our Guild application workshops take you step-by-step through the process. In-person workshops are held at the Folk Art Center in Asheville three times a year; Zoom workshops are held twice a year. After the workshops, participants have the option of requesting someone to assist with and review their Guild application or a Guild member mentor…
How to Join the Guild: Application Workshop at the Folk Art Center
Our Guild application workshops take you step-by-step through the process. In-person workshops are held at the Folk Art Center in Asheville three times a year; Zoom workshops are held twice a year. After the workshops, participants have the option of requesting someone to assist with and review their Guild application or a Guild member mentor…
Exhibition on display: Kaleidoscopic Whimsy
The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens Kaleidoscopic Whimsy in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center Location: Folk Art Center | Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, East Asheville, NC Hours: Open Daily 10am-5pm Admission: Free Focus Gallery Exhibit: Kaleidoscopic Whimsy Dates: October 11 – December 28, 2025 Asheville, NC- The Southern Highland Craft Guild…
Exhibition on Display: An Organic Edge
The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens ‘An Organic Edge’ in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center Location: Folk Art Center | Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, East Asheville, NC Hours: Open Daily 10am-5pm Admission: Free Focus Gallery Exhibit: An Organic Edge Dates: July 19 – October 5, 2025 Asheville, NC- The Southern Highland…
Exhibition on Display: Patience Makes Perfect
The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens Patience Makes Perfect in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center Location: Folk Art Center | Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, East Asheville, NC Hours: Open Daily 10am-5pm Admission: Free Focus Gallery Exhibit: Patience Makes Perfect Dates: April 26–July 13, 2025 Asheville, NC–The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens…
Exhibition on display: A Natural Influence
The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens A Natural Influence in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center Location: Folk Art Center | Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, East Asheville, NC Hours: Open Daily 10am-5pm Admission: Free Focus Gallery Exhibit: A Natural Influence Dates: February 8 – April 20, 2025 Asheville, NC- The Southern Highland…
Wheat Weaving Demo at the Folk Art Center
Katherine Caldwell will be demonstrating the ancient art of weaving and braiding wheat into beautiful ornamentals for the home. She will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for…
Jewelry Demo at the Folk Art Center
Rachelle Davis will be demonstrating how she uses a jeweler’s saw to create intricate images in silver, which form the “back” of her one of a kind pendants. Rachelle will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators…
Broom Making Demo at the Folk Art Center
Peter Werner will be demonstrating traditional Appalachian broom-tying techniques in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway from 10am-4pm. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for the latest updates: 828-298-7928.
Wooden Flute Demo at the Folk Art Center
Lee Entrekin will be demonstrating the making and playing of wooden and bamboo Native American-style flutes in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for the latest updates: 828-298-7928.
Jewelry Demo at the Folk Art Center
Ilene Kay will be demonstrating cutting, polishing, soldering, and assembling her argentium silver and colored titanium jewelry. She will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway from 10am-4pm. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead…
Pottery Demo at the Folk Art Center
Rodney Leftwich will be demonstrating traditional pottery techniques inspired by nineteenth century and early twentieth century styles. He will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for the latest…
Fiber Adornments Demo at the Folk Art Center
Hat-maker Julia Gaunt will be demonstrating how she adorns her hats with flowers made from wool and ribbon. She will also demonstrate some free motion sewing techniques for writing, drawing, and coloring with thread onto fabric! Julia will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged…
Pottery Demo at the Folk Art Center
David Grant will be demonstrating wheel throwing in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for the latest updates: 828-298-7928.
Pottery Demo at the Folk Art Center
Lynn Jenkins will be demonstrating wheel-throwing, as well as some carving and burnishing which change the surface of the pots. She will also explain how she fires her pots in a raku kiln (she’ll have photos, but the firing is not part of the demo) to achieve different results on both glazed and unglazed pots.…
Woodcarving Demo at the Folk Art Center
Ronnie McMahan will be demonstrating how he carves a realistic wild turkey feather, as well as discussing various woodcarving and finishing techniques. He will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway from 10am-4pm. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about…
Embroidery Demo at the Folk Art Center
Laura Gaskin will be demonstrating how she “paints with stitches” to create her captivating images. She will be in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway from 10am-4pm. Visitors are encouraged to watch and ask questions while the demonstrators work and talk about their creative process! Call ahead for the latest…