The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s
Emerging Artist Program
Since 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has championed fine craft across the Southern Appalachian region. We’re excited to continue our Emerging Artist Program, a unique opportunity designed for two cohorts of ten promising artists to take the next step in their careers.
This program is designed to support your creative growth, strengthen your professional skills, and provide hands-on experience in the world of fine craft fairs and career development. Selected artists will participate in either the July or October edition of the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands and will receive valuable resources to help elevate their artistic practice and prepare them to exhibit their work.
Program Benefits
Emerging Artists will receive:
- Participation in the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
October 16–19, 2025, in downtown Asheville, NC - 50% Booth Fee Discount
A reduced cost to help make your first fair more accessible - Virtual Craft Business Education in partnership with Craft Your Commerce by Mountain Bizworks
Four virtual classes with printable worksheets, one live cohort specific workshop and one group coaching call. More details to come.
- Marketing Support
Featured promotion through SHCG’s social media, email campaigns, and advertising channels - Waived Membership Application Fee
If you apply to become a Guild member within one year of program participation - Peer Cohort Experience
Connect with fellow emerging artists and build lasting professional relationships
Whether you're fresh out of school or newly navigating the world of professional craft, this program is built to help expand your audience, sharpen your business skills, and grow your creative practice.
Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- Reside in one of the counties within the Southern Highland Craft Guild region
View eligible counties - Have been selling your craft professionally for under seven years and still be building market presence and professional networks
- Not be currently enrolled in a college or university arts program
- Work in a medium represented by the Southern Highland Craft Guild (e.g. clay, leather, glass, mixed media, wood, fiber, manmade materials, metal, natural materials, jewelry, and paper)
- Be 18 years or older
Key Dates
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Applications for 2026 open by January 26th, 2026
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Applications close on Saturday February 28th at 11:59pm.
- Notifications to selected applications will be sent by April 15, 2026.
- Professional development programing takes place over the 8–10 weeks leading up to each Fair. The spring cohort runs from early May and concludes with the Fair on July 16–19. The fall cohort runs from early August and concludes with the Fair on October 15–18.
- There is only one application cycle for both 2026 cohorts. Apply now!
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If you would like to be notified regarding application deadlines for the Emerging Artist Program, enter your email at the bottom of this page.
Application Requirements
- Complete the application below
- Email a copy of your Resume/CV and an 8-10 image portfolio to [email protected]
Past Cohorts
Fall 2025 Cohort of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Emerging Artist Program
The Guild is pleased to announce the six artists selected for the Fall 2025 cohort of its new Emerging Artist Program (EAP). The selected artists are Stacia Baldwin (mixed media), Robert Choe-Henderson (paper), Christina Covington (clay), Kimberly Obee (paper), Liam Sawyer (clay), and Rebecca Tolley (fiber).
Meet the Fall 2025 Jurors
Pippin Frisbie-Calder’s work investigates ecosystems and presents scientific discoveries, while calling into question human culpability and responsibility. Working with Microbiologists, Ornithologists and Ecologists she creates large-scale installations and prints exploring issues of climate change, species extinction and environmental stewardship. Drafted and carved as woodcut, silkscreen, etching, painting, or paper cutting, her medium and process are flexible in order to best honor the natural spaces she depicts. The work she is happiest with always finds a balance between printmaking, science and draftsmanship, unifying to tell big picture stories about humanity's complicated relationship with nature.
https://www.esbjewelry.com/
Erica Stankwytch Bailey Growing up I was always elbows deep involved in some creative endeavor and from an early age I knew that I wanted to be a maker. After graduation from North Carolina School of the Arts with a diploma in the applied arts I attended East Carolina University where I received a BFA in Metal design in 2001. From the first metals survey course I was hooked on metal-smithing, enamored by the malleability of the metal. After graduation I began teaching metal-smithing and jewelry fabrication courses at the local community college. Teaching became an integral part of my creative life. In 2004 I decided to return to my roots as a maker and founded Erica Stankwytch Bailey Jewelry. In a tiny studio nestled in the backyard of my home in Fayetteville, North Carolina I became the owner, operator, designer and maker of my own handmade business, a dream come true. In the years that have followed my contemporary sterling silver jewelry has found its way around the world. The business is growing and the work is constantly evolving. In 2014 I was given the amazing opportunity to move my family to Asheville, North Carolina, where we now live happily enjoying the beautiful mountains that surround us. My life today consists of creative days in my studio, cherished time with my children, adventures on the road, and quiet moments reflecting on the inspirations found in the smallest of things.