Southern Highland Craft Guild Announces 2026 Season: Jury Deadlines, Educational Events, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Expanded Opportunities for Artists and Visitors
Asheville, NC — January 2026 — The Southern Highland Craft Guild is ushering in the new year with a robust slate of programming, exhibitions, and opportunities designed to uplift Appalachian craft and expand engagement with artists across the region. With jury deadlines announced, educational events scheduled, and a year of craft demos planned at the Folk Art Center, 2026 promises to be a dynamic and inspiring season for makers and visitors alike.
For more than 95 years, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has advanced its mission to cultivate fine craft, preserve regional traditions, and provide professional support for artists in the Southern Highlands. This year continues that legacy through program expansions, interactive demonstrations, and year-round exhibitions.
2026 Jury Deadlines Announced
Artists living in the Guild’s nine-state region are invited to apply for membership through its two-part jury process evaluating craftsmanship, design, technique, and professional presentation.
Part One — Image Jury Deadlines
- March 16, 2026
- May 18, 2026
- November 6, 2026
Image Jury–Applicants begin by submitting images, process descriptions, and artist statements online or by mail.
Part Two — Object Jury
Artists who advance to Part Two may submit five physical objects for jurying at the Folk Art Center or request a provisional Craft Fair booth for jurying at the July or October Fair.
Emerging Artist Program
The Guild’s Emerging Artist Program continues into 2026, providing early-career makers with mentorship, professional development opportunities, and subsidized Craft Fair participation. Details to come. Visit www.craftguild.org for more.
Member Application Workshops
Workshops held throughout 2026 will offer guidance on photography, writing artist statements, preparing work for jury, and meeting professional standards. Check craftguild.org for details.
2026 Educational Event Programming
The Guild’s annual series of educational events returns to the Folk Art Center beginning in March and continuing through September. Visitors can learn from master craftspeople demonstrating techniques in wood, clay, fiber, metal, glass, and more.
Annual Events Include:
- Glass, Metal & Clay Day — April 4
- Fiber Day – May 9
- Wood Day – August 8
- Heritage Weekend (World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition) – Sept 19-20
- Daily craft demonstrations also resume in March, allowing visitors to meet artists, watch live processes, and engage with regional craft traditions seven days a week in the Folk Art Center’s Lobby.
2026 Exhibition Schedule
The Folk Art Center will host a full year of curated exhibitions in 2026, highlighting both traditional and contemporary work from Guild members and regional craftspeople. Exhibition programming will the Main Gallery and Focus Gallery, offering visitors a dynamic rotation of new work, legacy stories, and seasonal installations featuring pieces from the Guild’s Permanent Collection.
The 2026 season will feature:
- We Still Make Things: 100 Years of Craft and Culture at the John C. Campbell Folk School January 31 – April 29, 2026 Showcasing work from instructors and artists connected to the Folk School’s long-standing craft traditions.
- Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program Exhibition May 9 – September 16, 2026 Highlighting exceptional work from HCC Graduating students across wood, fiber, metals, and clay.
- New Members Exhibition (Main Gallery) September 26, 2026–January 20, 2027 Opening after the HCC showcase, the annual member’s exhibition celebrates artists juried into the Guild within the past 2 years, introducing fresh voices and new perspectives to the Guild’s creative landscape.
View the complete exhibition calendar—with titles, participating artists, and reception details on the Guild’s website www.craftguild.org.
2026 Artist Markets & Fairs
In addition to the exhibition calendar, the Southern Highland Craft Guild will offer multiple opportunities in 2026 for local and regional patrons to connect with Guild members and shop directly from the artists.
- Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — July Edition July 16–19, 2026 Harrah’s Cherokee Center–Asheville
- Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — October Edition October 15–18, 2026
Harrah’s Cherokee Center–Asheville - Mini Craft Fairs at the Folk Art Center– June 6 and May 2
- Holiday Sales at the Folk Art Center — December 5 & 12
May 2 and June 6, 2026 — Mini Craft Fairs
These smaller outdoor markets on the Folk Art Center grounds offer Parkway visitors an intimate space outdoor to shop from Guild Artists.
December 5 and December 12, 2026–Holiday Sales
These festive sales provide booth-style opportunities for members to offer discounted stock, overruns, and seasonal work—just in time for holiday shoppers.
Those unable to visit in person can explore exhibitions and shop curated work online at craftguild.org/shop.
Preserving Craft for Nearly a Century
Since 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has provided a foundation for artists to build sustainable careers, connect with the public, and preserve craft traditions passed down through generations. As the Guild approaches its centennial, the organization continues to deepen its commitment to education, artistry, and community across the Appalachian region.
The Folk Art Center at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway remains the Guild’s headquarters and home to three galleries, the Allanstand Craft Shop, the Guild’s permanent collection, and an archive documenting craft history in the region. Visitors can also shop original handmade work at the Guild’s retail locations in the Grove Arcade, Tunnel Road, and Moses Cone Manor.
Media Contact
Southern Highland Craft Guild
[email protected], 828-298-2928
Folk Art Center — Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382