June 11-13, 2010 & December 3-5, 2010 
The Toe River Studio Tour showcases the work of 100 artists and crafts people across two mountain counties, located about 40 miles northeast of Asheville. It is held the second weekend of June and first weekend of December.
The self-guided tour is presented by the Toe River Arts Council. Folks can pick up a free map at the TRAC galleries in Burnsville and downtown Spruce Pine, or any of the tour's studios and nine galleries throughout Yancey and Mitchell counties. Download the 2010 Guide. The tour began in 1993 and is held twice a year, with the December tour taking on a holiday flavor.
"Many of the studios provide refreshments and decorate for the holidays," says Denise Cook of the Toe River Arts Council. "It's a festive, holiday experience." Mitchell and Yancey counties have become a haven for artisans in the last two decades, and the studio tours are a great way for folks to visit these artisans and see first-hand how they work with various media to create works of art.
"It's more than shopping. It's an experience. You get a sense of how they make their products and it becomes educational as well," says Cook. "There are new artists, emerging artists, and seasoned artists. Some have had their work exhibited in the Smithsonian."
Each studio hosts an open house, and the tour features artists from nearly every medium. The largest concentration is in pottery, followed by glass blowing.
"There is no fee for the tour. Just pick up a map and follow the arrow signs throughout the counties," Cook says. "Visitors love coming here. It's become sort of a treasure hunt. They have map in hand and travel our beautiful countryside looking for artists."
Hours for the Toe River Studio Tour are noon to 4 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to picking up a map on the tour, folks may access the map online at www.toeriverarts.org. Information is also available by calling TRAC at (828) 682-7215.
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