Folk Art Center, Asheville

Folk Art Center

A must stop for art lovers is the Folk Art Center in Asheville, featuring the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians. Shop the wonderful Southern Highland Craft Guild store (pic above) with a big variety of creations from hundreds of artists, browse rotating exhibitions in several galleries and watch an artist at work.

Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 382 (near the US Highway 70 intersection, 8 miles from downtown Asheville), the Folk Art Center also hosts many events and has a library with many craft books and videos. Free admission!

Folk Art Center Gallery

Upstairs, see 250 works from The Guild's Permanent Collection "Craft Traditions" with crafts dating from 1850s. Adjacent, the Focus Gallery and the Main Gallery feature various artists throughout the year, so there's always something new to see.

Folk Art Center, Asheville

The Folk Art Center is the most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, welcoming 250,000 visitors each year. It also houses a Parkway Store with National Park souvenirs and travel information. Just two miles south is the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center.

Hours
Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
January-March: 9 AM-5 PM
April-December: 9 AM-6 PM

Hiking
You can access the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the parking area at the Folk Art Center. Also, they have a 1/4-mile trail that is designated as accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Folk Art Center

Allanstand Interiors features studio furniture and one-of-a-kind home accessories and artwork (pic above).

Daily Craft Demonstrations
March–December, 10 AM-4 PM daily
Members share their expertise and inspiration with visitors in the Folk Art Center lobby.

History
Chartered in 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild would grow to become one of the strongest craft organizations in the country. Second in age only to the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts, the Guild now represents 900+ craftspeople in 9 southeastern states. The craft shop is oldest continuously operating in the United States, dating back to 1897.

Events

Glass & Metal Day
Glass & Metal Day at Folk Art Center
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Artists showcase the elements of metal and glass inside the Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Parkway. Includes blacksmithing, glass blowing, knife making, bezeling, repoussé, copper etching, stained glass, forging and more. 10 AM-4 PM. Free.
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Fiber Weekend
Fiber Weekend
Saturday, May 9, 2020 to Sunday, May 10, 2020
Craftspeople at the Folk Art Center share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Saturday demos include quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing, printing design, tapestry weaving and natural dyeing. Two fashion shows on Sunday (Mother's Day)! Free admission. 
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Folk Art Center Clay Fest
Clay Day
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Potters and ceramic artists of the Southern Highlands Guild at the Folk Art Center share a variety of techniques such as throwing, sculpture and coil-building. Glaze and see the firing of raku pots. 10 AM-4 PM. Free admission.
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Thursday, July 15, 2021 to Tuesday, July 20, 2021
(VIRTUAL EVENT) Top art show! See and buy traditional and contemporary fine art and craft directly from members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with 200+ juried artists from mountain regions of nine states. Held inside in downtown Asheville.
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Wood Day at Folk Art Center
Wood Day at Folk Art Center
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Join Guild woodworkers for an exciting day exploring various forms of woodcraft. Featuring the Annual Carve Off Competition. 10 AM –4 PM.
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Heritage Weekend at Folk Art Center
Heritage Weekend at Folk Art Center
Saturday, September 19, 2020 to Sunday, September 20, 2020
This free festival features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight is the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday.
Read & see more Save to Trip 
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Thursday, November 12, 2020 to Saturday, November 14, 2020
Meet 200 craftspeople that come together in downtown Asheville with their fine handcrafted items, while local musicians play live on the arena stage and craft educators share their knowledge. Admission.
Read & see more! Save to Trip 
Guild Artist Holiday Sale at the Folk Art Center
Guild Holiday Makers Sale at the Folk Art Center
Saturday, December 5, 2020, Saturday, December 12, 2020
Get great deals on amazing art directly from the artists, offering over-runs, discontinued stock, and studio seconds in a festive atmosphere. And don't miss the special exhibits and main store at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Free admission. 10 AM-4 PM. 
Read & see more Save to Trip 
Check this out!
Blue Ridge Parkway Top 50, Asheville
The Blue Ridge Parkway, known as  “America’s Favorite Drive,” runs north and south from Asheville with plenty of long-range mountain views, spots for roadside... read more
Weaverville Art Safari - Studio Tour
April 25-26, 2020
November 7-8, 2020
Meander through the scenic mountain valleys to visit 50+ artists in their studios and galleries. Get the tour map and drive country roads to visit as... read more
Penland School of Crafts
A must-stop for art lovers is the Penland School of Crafts, a nationally-renowned center for craft education tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (6 miles from... read more