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.
Fiber Day
From sheep shearing to wearable textiles – learn about the many processes of fiber art. Guild Members and friends will demonstrate a variety of techniques during this free community event. Visitors will get a close-up look and enjoy interactive demonstrations. Visitors can bring their own handiwork, whether it be crochet, embroidery, or spinning. Bring a…
Wood Day
Join us for a celebration of wooden crafts – one of the first mediums of handicraft. From branches, trunks, roots, and bark, watch as they’re used in both functional and decorative pieces. During Wood Day, Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will showcase this evolution of skills and mastery of crafted wood by demonstrating…
Glass, Metal, and Clay Day
Each year as Spring rolls around, members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild launch their Educational Events programming at the Folk Art Center with Glass & Metal Day on the first Saturday of April. This year, the event will be combined with the annual Summer event, Clay Day, incorporating clay craft-making techniques. As the nation’s…
Hand-Built Pottery Demo at the Folk Art Center
Judy Brater will be demonstrating how she builds onto her thrown pots using coiling, stamping, paddling, and carving techniques to create sculptural vases. 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…
Weaving Demo at the Folk Art Center
Long-time Guild member Barbara Miller will be demonstrating traditional Appalachian weaving techniques 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.
Needle Felting Demo at the Folk Art Center
Lorraine Cathey will be demonstrating how she “paints” landscapes using colored wool roving and a barbed felting needle. 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 the…
Sculpture Crochet Demo at the Folk Art Center
Michelle Tway will be demonstrating the various techniques, and sharing all the different materials she uses to create her mixed media bird sculptures. 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…
Crochet Demo at the Folk Art Center
Rita de Maintenon will be demonstrating heritage crochet lace techniques, with project samples of the various types, and an extra chair in her booth for curious visitors who might want some hands-on fun! You will find Rita in the lobby of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to watch…
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.…
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.
Woodturning Demo at the Folk Art Center
Bill and Tina Collison will be demonstrating woodturning and embellishing techniques, as well as explaining turning tools, and how a woodworker looks at a tree. They 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…
Broom Making Demo at the Folk Art Center
Second-generation broom maker, Marlow Gates will be demonstrating traditional Appalachian broom-tying 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.
Wooden Ornaments Demo at the Folk Art Center
Micki Shipe will be demonstrating how she creates her delightful wooden ornaments 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.
Needle Felting Demo at the Folk Art Center
Lorraine Cathey will be demonstrating how she “paints” landscapes using colored wool roving and a barbed felting needle. 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 the…
Sun Printing/Quilting
Sandra Rowland will be [hopefully] demonstrating sun-printed fabric outside of the Folk Art Center’s entrance. In the event of rain or a really cloudy day Sandy will be inside demonstrating how to make a Magic Carpet, so you may be praying for rain during her 2-day stint! Demonstrations are [usually] held in the lobby of…
Sculpture Crochet Demo at the Folk Art Center
Michelle Tway will be demonstrating the various techniques, and sharing all the different materials she uses to create her mixed media bird sculptures. 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…
Glassblowing Demo at the Folk Art Center
Jason Probstein will be demonstrating how he turns glass rods into swirly, colorful ornaments, goblets, and vases. 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 their creative process! Call ahead for…
Marbling Demo at the Folk Art Center
Pam Granger Gale will be demonstrating the ancient and magical art of marbling 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.
Basketry Demo at the Folk Art Center
Susan Taylor will be demonstrating various basket weaving techniques, as well as discussing the role of baskets in society and throughout history. 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…
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…