Media Contact:
Millie Davis, [email protected] | 828-298-7928

The Southern Highland Craft Guild Presents A Legacy Worth Noting at the Folk Art Center
Exhibit Highlights Lifelong Contributions of Guild Members

Dates: February 1 – April 30, 2025
Location: Main Gallery, Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, East Asheville, NC
Hours: Open Daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free

Asheville, NC – The Southern Highland Craft Guild is proud to announce the opening of A Legacy Worth Noting, its first main gallery exhibition of 2025, showcasing the extraordinary work of Guild members who have been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and Life Membership. This exhibit, running from February 1 to April 30, 2025, celebrates the contributions of these artisans who have influenced the field of craft and the Guild itself.

Some of the featured artists include Cynthia Bringle, Edwina Bringle, Connie Brown, Curtis Buchanan, Douglas Dacey, Lee Davis, Anna Fariello, Jim Gentry, Michael Hughey, Lynn Jenkins, Susan Leveille, Greg Magruder, Barbara Miller, Sandy Rowland, Micki Shipe, Liz Spear, Lyle Wheeler, and many more. The exhibition highlights both traditional and contemporary craft, offering a diverse range of media, including pottery, wood, metal, fiber, and jewelry.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Guild, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions as artists, teachers, and mentors over the course of at least 25 years. The Life Membership is awarded to Guild members in recognition of outstanding service to the Guild, with full membership privileges and no further dues.

The exhibition celebrates both the artistry of these members and their influence on the craft community. These members administered our mission to preserve, promote, and teach the rich traditions of handmade craft in the Southern Highlands.

Twin sisters Cynthia and Edwina Bringle have been instrumental in shaping the craft community at Penland School of Crafts. Cynthia, a renowned ceramic artist, and Edwina, a skilled fiber artist, have both made lasting contributions as educators, mentors, and artists. With Cynthia’s ceramics blending rich color and design, and Edwina’s vibrant woven textiles, their work continues to inspire and educate new generations of artists.

Originally from Memphis, Connie Brown moved to Asheville, NC in 1989 with her husband and son. Over the past three decades, she has created more than 140 quilts, each showcasing her passion for quilting. In addition to her quilting work, she grows Japanese Indigo, using the plant to hand-dye unique fabrics. Her love for quilts and their history inspired her to become an AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser. Brown now offers professional quilt appraisal and evaluation services, specializing in newly made quilts, traditional and art quilts, as well as antique and vintage quilted treasures.

Doug Dacey finds inspiration for his pottery in the natural world. He looks to patterns and textures found in nature—such as the shapes of leaves, rocks, and water—to influence both the forms and surfaces of his work. In his functional pieces, Doug strives to create simple, elegant designs that reflect the beauty of the natural world. He hopes to create a connection between the viewer and the natural environment, offering pieces that are both visually appealing and thoughtfully crafted.

Visitors to the Folk Art Center will have the opportunity to view and purchase these stunning works, further supporting the local craft community. Items from the exhibition will be available for purchase online soon, or through the Folk Art Center by contacting the Guild at [email protected] or calling 828-298-7928.

The Folk Art Center, located on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville, is home to three galleries, a craft shop, and a library. Admission is free, and the center is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

About the Southern Highland Craft Guild
Founded in 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating the crafts and makers of the Southern Highlands. The Guild provides resources, education, and marketing opportunities to support the region's traditional and contemporary craft community. As an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, the Guild plays a key role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Southern Highlands while fostering the growth of its craft economy.