Celebrating Craft & Community
in the Southern Appalachians Since 1930.

Cultivating fine craft since 1930.

Visit our headquarters at the Folk Art Center in east Asheville, NC.

Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway

Open Daily, 10AM–5PM

With a creative community of juried members spanning over nine states, the Southern Highland Craft Guild fosters opportunities for makers to build, market, and maintain their creative livelihood through continuing education, retail outlets, and mentorship. We are invested in helping members achieve their goals and providing them with the resources to refine and sell their craft. The Southern Highland Craft Guild is headquartered at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Learn More.

Exhibition on display: Treasures, Nov. 12, 2022-Feb. 7, 2023

Focus Gallery Exhibition November 12, 2022-February 7, 2023. The Focus Gallery is located on the second level of the Folk…

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WALT COTTINGHAM

WALT COTTINGHAM 2022 FEATURED ARTIST BOOTH #110 Where are you from / where do you live now / what brought…

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New Members Exhibition at the Folk Art Center

NEW MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLAND CRAFT GUILD Main Gallery Exhibition, Sept. 17 – Jan. 4, 2023 Featured Artists: Tim…

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Find Inspiration at the Folk Art Center Sept. 3-Nov. 15, 2022

INSPIRATION AUGUST 7 – NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Featured Artists: Tom Reardon & Kathleen Doyle (1996, jewelry), Elizabeth Garlington (2008, fiber),…

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Jason Janow

JASON JANOW 2022 FEATURED ARTIST BOOTH # TBA Where are you from / where do you live now / what…

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SHOP OUR FINE CRAFT COLLECTION ONLINE

Support Our Staff Members in Need
Many of our dedicated staff members at the Folk Art Center lost their homes in the storm. Your donation will directly assist them in rebuilding their lives and provide much-needed support during this challenging time.

Support Our Restoration Efforts
Our Biltmore Village shop, flooded by 16 feet of water during Hurricane Helene, is in need of restoration. Your generous donation will help us rebuild and restore this historic space, ensuring it continues to serve as a hub for local artisans and the community.

Valerie Berlage demonstration, 2023
Valerie Berlage demonstration, 2023

Our Makers

For 95 years, the Guild has curated over 800 artisans, juried in based on their fine craftsmanship of twelve different mediums. These makers reside in the mountain regions of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, & West Virginia.

How to Join

Interested in joining our creative network of artisans? Learn about the benefits of membership and receive guidance on your application for the two-part jury to join the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Image Jury Deadlines:

March 17, May 19, November 7

Application Workshops:

February 22, March 29, September 6

Cultivating Fine Craft

The Southern Highland Craft Guild is an advocate for high quality craftsmanship and goods made, sold, and curated in the Southern Highlands. Since 1930 we have served as a visionary advocate to help generations value the design and function of traditional and modern crafts.

EXHIBITION EVENTS

Focus Gallery: Patience Makes Perfect | April 26 - July 13, 2025

Main Gallery: Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program Graduate Show, May 10–August 20, 2025

2AMB86F Folk Art Center Asheville NC

Upcoming Events

CRAFT FAIRS & SPECIAL EVENTS

May 3 and June 7 - Pop-up Mini Craft Fairs at the Folk Art Center

May 24-25 - Craft Making & Thinking: Craft Conference at the Folk Art Center

July 17-20 and October 16-19 - Craft Fairs of the Southern Highlands at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville

December 6 and 13 Holiday Sale Markets in the Folk Art Center's auditorium

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Folk Art Center

March 15 - National Quilting Day

April 5 - Glass, Metal, and Clay Day

May 10 - Fiber Day

August 9 - Wood Day

September 21–22 - Heritage Day

DAILY CRAFT DEMOS
Folk Art Center

Free craft demonstrations take place in the lobby of the Folk Art Center from March through December from 10 am-4 pm. A demonstration schedule will be posted closer to March.

Historical Collection

We invite you to walk through our permanent collection of historical, archived, Appalachian craft at the Folk Art Center. This exhibit of approximately 250 works features woodcarving, textiles, furniture, basketry, pottery, dolls, and other crafts of Southern Appalachia, dating from 1855 to the late 20th century. Many pieces date from the 19th century and were collected in the Asheville area by Frances L. Goodrich, a founding member of the Guild.

Our Permanent Collection also includes works from Berea College, Campbell Folk School, Penland School and other centers that have taught craft skills and connected makers to markets throughout the 20th century. These institutions also added their own patterns to the rhythms of mountain life, such as the Friday morning custom of local carvers coming to the Folk School to sell their latest works.

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