The Asheville art scene is booming. Each year, more artist studio tours, events and art shows appear. Here are our favorite annual Asheville art events. Plan your next trip around one of these! AmericanStyle Magazine names Asheville as the Number One Small City for Arts in USA
 Asheville Art Events Guide for 2012
For art any day of the year (along with special openings and shows), see our Asheville Gallery Guide or get the Craft Heritage Trails Book. Or visit the Folk Art Center.
New NC Art Book in 2011 features Mountain Paintings February 17-19, 2012: Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference
For the past nineteen years Arts and Crafts enthusiasts - including new collectors, veterans, curators, craftsperson, authors, builders, architects, designers, editors, and bungalow owners - have traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains and The Grove Park Inn for this show. Admission.
Read more about the Arts and Crafts Conference April 6, 2012: Center City Art Walk
Galleries stay open Friday evenings four times a year to showcase new shows and artists. Walk to 25 galleries downtown. 5-8 PM. Free.
Go to the Downtown Asheville Galleries Web site. April 12-15, 2012: Asheville HATCHfest
Don't miss the inaugural creative artist festival. Read more about Asheville HATCHfest. April 28, 2012: Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival
Held in Downtown Spruce Pine from 10am-4pm featuring vendors, live demonstrations, hands-on tent with rotating teachers and visiting blacksmiths from around the region and country. April 21, 2012: Greening Up the Mountain
Annual street festival in Sylva that features music, art and craft. Read more about Greening Up the Mountain. May-October: Art Tour by LaZoom Tours
Explore the neighborhoods and studios of numerous working artists, including Downtown, the River Arts District and West Asheville, while learning about the Asheville Art scene from a local artist. Read more about LaZoom Art Tours. May 5-6, 2012: E.A.S.T. (East of Asheville Studio Tour) Spring Tour
Artists of the Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and East Asheville area, present the East of Asheville Studio Tour. The studio tour takes place twice a year - Spring and Fall. Everyone is welcome to visit any or all of the studios during the tour, whether they are serious art patrons or just browsers of beautiful and interesting works. Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 6pm.
Go to the EAST Web site. May 5-6, 2012: Art Trek Tryon
Approximately 40 artists in Tryon, Saluda, Columbus, NC and Landrum, SC open their studios to the public free of charge.
Go to their Web site. May 12-13, 2012: Weaverville Art Safari
Weaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the home and workplace of many of the area artists. The core activities of the Weaverville Art Safari are self-guided driving tours of the various artists' studios, tucked away in the countryside communities of Weaverville, Barnardsville, and Alexander. Free.
Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari. May 10-13, 2012: Lake Eden Arts Festival
Celebrate Music, Discover Community, and Experience Culture at LEAF in a beautiful lakefront setting near Black Mountain (about 12 miles from downtown Asheville). Five Stages of Folk & World, Bluegrass, Blues, African, Celtic, and jams with headline performers. Handcrafts, folk art, dancing, Poetry SLAM, healing arts workshops, water recreation, and camping. Admission.
See our LEAF Guide. May 12-13, 2012: Fiber Weekend
Fiber Weekend is Mother’s Day weekend with craftspeople at the Folk Art Center sharing their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Demonstrations on Saturday include: quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing design, printing and surface design, tapestry weaving, and natural dyeing. On Sunday, see the Handmade Wearables Fashion Show. Free.
Read more about the Folk Art Center. May 19, 2012: Montford Arts and Music Festival
This street festival, including musical acts, food, and a juried art show, highlight the artistic strength of one of Asheville’s oldest neighborhoods. This festival is free to the public, and sponsored by the Montford Neighborhood Association. Free.
Go to their Web site. May 19, 2012: Saluda Arts Festival
The quaint mountain village of Saluda celebrates its heritage and arts culture from 10 AM to 5 PM on Historic Main Street in downtown Saluda. See a dazzling diversity of 2D and 3D art media including oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, pottery, wood turning, blacksmithing, sculpture, jewelry, painted furniture, stained glass, and more. Music representing Americana, blues, folk, and contemporary will be ongoing.
Go to their Web site. May 26-27, 2012: Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour
Kenilworth neighborhood, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, annual Open Studio Tour features 20+ jewelers, painters, glass-workers, fabric artists, potters, woodworkers, photographers, and more! They open their studio doors to welcome visitors for sales and demonstrations. Download tour maps. 10AM-5PM.
Go to their Web site. May 26, 2012: Burnsville Spring Arts Festival
Food, live music and handmade crafts from 10 am to 4 pm on the Burnsville Town Square. Free.
June 1, 2012: Center City Art Walk
Galleries stay open Friday evenings four times a year to showcase new shows and artists. Walk to 30 galleries downtown Asheville. Free. June 2, 2012: Clay Day at Folk Art Center
This free event (10AM-4PM) features craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and adults. Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild demonstrate throwing on the potter's wheel, hand building and surface design on clay, among other techniques.A highlight of the day is the Make and Take Raku Firing. Buy a $10 pot, glaze it and watch as expert potters raku fire it for you. Raku is a ceramic firing process which uses fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs.
Read more about the Folk Art Center. June 2-December 2012: Sculpture for the Garden Exhibition
Grovewood Gallery in Asheville presents its annual outdoor sculpture invitational with contemporary sculptures by nationally-recognized artists. Sculptures range from playful pieces suitable for the home or garden, to works for public spaces and corporate settings. This event is open to the public and free of charge.
Read more about Sculpture for the Garden. June 8-10, 2012: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Free.
Read more about Toe River Studio Tour.
June 9-10, 2012: River District Artists Studio Stroll
The Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville. Free.
Read more about the River Arts District. June 9, 2012: Bluff Mountain Festival in Hot Springs, NC
This free, family-friendly festival features great old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging and square dance, and a silent auction and raffle of regional art work, local crafts, vacation packages, and more. The festival produced by Madison County Arts Council, begins at 10am, offers an array of delicious foods and ends with a square dance until dark.
Go to Madison County Arts Web site. June 9, 2012: Dillsboro Arts & Music Festival
Traditional & contemporary mountain crafts from 20+ juried artists, fine art, live music, dance and storytelling. Front Street in the center of Dillsboro is lined with tents featuring all kinds of art and fine crafts. 10 AM-5 PM. Free.
June 16, 23 & 30, 2012: Asheville Art in the Park
See fine arts and crafts at Pack Square Park in downtown.
Read more about Art in the Park
June 30-July 1, 2012: Summertime Art & Crafts Show
Held in the Ramsey Center arena on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, the show is home to some of the most respected and unique artisans in the Appalachian Mountains with more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their contemporary and heritage art & crafts. An array of items will be displayed for sale, including: fine art, woodworking, pottery, weaving and gourd art. Heritage crafts such as shaker brooms, pine needle baskets and folk dolls will also be available, along with heirloom fabric items. Go to the Summertime Art & Crafts Web site. July 7-8, 2012: Fall Leaves Arts & Crafts Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville.
Go to their Web site. July 19-22, 2012: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, has been an eagerly anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. The fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship. Admission.
See our Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Guide. July 27-29, 2012: Bele Chere
Many artists display at the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast.
See our Bele Chere Guide. August 3, 2012: Center City Art Walk
Galleries stay open Friday evenings four times a year to showcase new shows and artists. Walk to 25 galleries downtown Asheville. 5-8 PM. Free. August 3-4, 2012: Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair, Downtown Burnsville
The streets of this "Norman Rockwell" town come to life for this special festival, named one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events for the summer. Quality crafters will display hand-made furniture, wrought iron, blown glass, beaded jewelry, locally-made quilts, home-made jams and jellies, and a wonderful collection of food vendors. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free.
Go to the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce Web site August 4-6, 2012: Village Art & Craft Fair
Held on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, the fair hosts 125 artists from 20 states representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more. Free.
See our Village Art & Craft Fair Guide August 11, 2012: Wood Day
Wood Day is an event that brings together the woodworkers of the Southern Highland Craft Guild to demonstrate a wide range of woodworking techniques and skills. This event takes place at the Folk Art Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. August 18-19, 2012: Come to Leicester Studio Tour
Take a self-guided tour to 25 studios and shops in Leicester, a community nestled in the mountains near Asheville. 10 AM-6 PM
Go to the Leicester Studio Tour Web site. August 24-26, 2012: Goombay! Festival
Goombay! brings a variety of entertainment, from Steel Drums, African-America Dancers, local Gospel Groups, and Contemporary Rhythm Bands, the activities are geared for families. The Festival-goer can enjoy an authentic Caribbean Meal at "Island of Delight" Caf and see vendors line the streets with everything from ice cream to Third World Crafts. Free
Read more about Goombay.
September 1-2, 2012: Lexington Ave. Arts and Fun Festival.
This fantastically fabulous, freaky jam-packed day will showcase the many diverse talents that Asheville has to offer. Three blocks of downtown will be lined with all local art, food, beer and street performers. Three stages and two courtyards of music and performance. 11am – 10pm on N. Lexington Ave between College Street and the I-240 overpass in downtown Asheville. Free.
Read more details about LAAFF. September 6-8, 2012: Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Readers and writers alike will love this literary festival. The weekend in Burnsville will provide intimate settings for novice writers and fans to listen to panel discussions, converse with authors, participate in workshops, and have books signed. Admission.
Go to the Literary Festival Web site. September 15-16, 2012: Heritage Weekend
This is the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s weekend to celebrate heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains. Guild members and other traditional craftspeople show craft techniques with hand tools, native materials, and lots of ingenuity through demonstrations in the native arts at the Folk Art Center. In addition to crafts, several other traditional aspects of Appalachian life will be featured, such as traditional music and storytelling. Don’t miss the Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2:00-3:00pm.
Read more about Heritage Weekend at Folk Art Center. September 15, 2012: Art in Autumn
Downtown Weaverville street festival with more than 100 juried artists and craftspeople, along with an exciting array of food and live music. 10am-5pm on Main Street. Six miles north of Asheville. Free.
Go to their Web site. September 22, 2012: Heritage Craft Weekend at NC Arboretum
Celebrate Southern Appalachian traditions with artists and crafters whose work reflects the heritage of Western North Carolina. Much of the artistic expression of mountain crafts originates from the character and nature of plants.
Read more about NC Arboretum Events. October 6, 13, 20, 2012: Asheville Art in the Park
See fine arts and crafts at Pack Square Park in downtown.
Read more about Art in the Park October 5, 2012: Center City Art Walk
Galleries stay open Friday evenings four times a year to showcase new shows and artists. 5-8PM. Walk to 25 galleries downtown Asheville. Free. October 6, 2012: Church Street Art & Craft Show
Main Street in downtown Waynesville is transformed into an art & craft marketplace for this one-day event; widely known as one of the finest juried art shows in the region. Live mountain music & clogging, entertainment, food. 10 AM-5 PM. October 6-7 & 13-14, 2012: Fall Leaves Arts & Crafts Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville.
Go to their Web site. October 13-14, 2012: East of Asheville Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.)
Self-guided tour of artist studios in the Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview and East Asheville area. Many will have demos and art raffles!
Go to our East of Asheville Studio Tour. October 18-21, 2012: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, has been an eagerly anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. The fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship. Admission.
Go to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Guide. October 18-21, 2012: Lake Eden Arts Festival
Celebrate Music, Discover Community, and Experience Culture at LEAF in a beautiful lakefront setting near Black Mountain (about 12 miles from downtown Asheville). 5 Stages of Folk & World, Bluegrass, Blues, African, Celtic, and jams with headline performers. Handcrafts, folk art, dancing, Poetry SLAM, healing arts workshops, water recreation, and camping. Admission.
See our LEAF Guide. October 27-28, 2012: Weaverville Art Safari
Weaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the home and workplace of many of the area artists. The core activities of the Weaverville Art Safari are self-guided driving tours of the various artists' studios, tucked away in the countryside communities of Weaverville, Barnardsville, and Alexander. Free.
Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari. November 2-3, 2012: Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
A juried event in Dillsboro with approximately 45 potters from across the Southeast, including members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Includes demostrations and Raku firings, as well as featured national potter John Fulwood of New Jersey. Annual highlight is the midday opening of the coffin wood kiln at Tree House Pottery.
See our Pottery Festival Guide. November 10-11, 2012: River District Artists Studio Stroll
The Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville. Free.
Read more about the River Arts District. November 23-25, 2012: Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Held at the Western Carolina University Ramsey Center in Cullowhee. A perennial favorite for unique regional arts and crafts at great prices. 100+ potters, glass artists, wood craft, folk dolls, and hard to find Old World Santa’s and ornaments.
Go to their Web site.
December 1 & 8, 2012
Guild Artist Holiday Sale at Folk Art Center.
November 30-December 2, 2012: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Free.
Read more about Toe River Studio Tour. December 7, 2012: Center City Art Walk
Galleries stay open Friday evenings four times a year to showcase new shows and artists. 5-8PM. Walk to 25 galleries downtown Asheville. Free. |
