Definition Statement

“The purpose of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Heritage Designation is to honor, preserve, and retain the skills of the unique crafts found within the Southern Appalachian region. We seek to emulate the tenacity, ingenuity, and fine skills needed for the creation of traditional crafts practiced contemporaneously with or before the formation of the Guild.”

Vision Statement

The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Heritage Designation will be given to those Guild members, whose work represents the traditional craft of Appalachia. It is envisioned that Heritage members will demonstrate their working processes in public venues and exhibit their work as individuals and collectively. The desired outcome of such involvement is to initiate and advance conversations concerning the history and the development of Appalachia Craft traditions, as well as to celebrate the formation story of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Heritage Craft members are asked to serve as interpreters of Appalachian craft for visitors at Guild events, explaining the history and evolution of their craft, the role of their craft in the Guild, how techniques and materials have changed over time, and any other information that would educate guests about the traditional crafts of the southern Appalachian region. If you want to pursue this membership classification, please answer the following five questions in addition to completing the Southern Highland Craft Guild membership application. Answer the following and provide documentation as necessary. Please limit each to 300 words or less. Responses and accessory documents, as well as any questions or concerns regarding the application, should be directed to Laura Lanier, (828) 298-7928, ext. 301, or [email protected]