Biltmore's Annual Pass Sale is Back! Find Out More & Enter to Win a Biltmore Getaway!
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Come celebrate the long history of glassblowing in western North Carolina. Watch artists at work, tour galleries, and see the amazing creations. (Pic above: Lexington Glassworks)
Lexington Glassworks (81 South Lexington): Our top place to watch glassblowers at work in Downtown Asheville. Owners and glassblowers Billy and Geoff love to demonstrate the entire process. They even have a special viewing area with benches and a bar with local beers on tap! The gallery is open every day with glassblowing each day except on Tuesdays. Admission is free. Their gallery is full of gorgeous creations in all price ranges. They are open late on many weekends with live music on the first Friday of each month, April-December. Read more about them.
Momentum Gallery (52 Broadway) features top contemporary artists from western NC and across the country. Read more.
Blue Spiral 1 (38 Biltmore Avenue) is the largest fine art gallery in downtown Asheville. See exceptional creations by 100+ artists on three floors.
First Friday Art Walks: Visit many galleries 5-8 PM in downtown Asheville for special openings and events. April-December
North Carolina Glass Center (140 Roberts Street, Asheville): Located just a couple of miles from downtown and Biltmore is the River Arts District, home to this non-profit glass teaching center. Stop by to watch demonstrations and sign up for a class. Book a 30-minute hands-on glass experience ($50-$80/person) to work one-on-one with an instructor to create their your own piece of glass. What a souvenir! Many area glassblowers use their studio, and you'll find their work in the gallery open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 AM-5 PM.
Outside of Asheville: WNC Top Glass Stops
Jackson County Green Energy Park (50 miles southwest of Asheville): This fascinating arts complex in Dillsboro is powered by methane gas captured from the old town landfill. The fuel provides heat for blacksmith forges, metal foundries, pottery kilns, and glassblowing. Watch demonstrations most days and check out their gallery. Also, artsy downtown Dillsboro is nearby with many galleries!
Penland School of Crafts (50 miles northeast of Asheville) is a famous center for craft education tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains with 1-8-week workshops in a big variety of mediums, including glass. Their gallery of student work is very impressive, and you can explore the historic campus. Classrooms and most studios are closed to the public. Located near Spruce Pine.
Toe River Studio Tour includes 24 glass artists at studios and galleries in the Penland area. Read more.
Top 12 WNC Summer Art Festivals & Tours
Village Art & Craft Fair
Sep 09, 2023 - Sep 10, 2023Fantastic fair in Biltmore Village with 100 hand-selected artists from 16 states, representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and… read more
Fantastic fair in Biltmore Village with 100 hand-selected artists from 16 states, representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Jul 20, 2023 - Jul 23, 2023Top art show! See and buy traditional and contemporary fine art and craft directly from Southern Highland Craft Guild members, with 200+ juried artists from mountain regions of nine states. Held… read more
Top art show! See and buy traditional and contemporary fine art and craft directly from Southern Highland Craft Guild members, with 200+ juried artists from mountain regions of nine states. Held inside in downtown Asheville. Admission from 10 AM-5 PM.
Saluda Arts Festival
May 20, 2023Outstanding festival with 100% hand-picked regional artists along Saluda's historic Main Street. See a big diversity of art media and enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk and … read more
Outstanding festival with 100% hand-picked regional artists along Saluda's historic Main Street. See a big diversity of art media and enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk and contemporary. Watch artist demonstrations. Free. 10 AM-4 PM.
Front Street Arts & Crafts Show
Jul 15, 2023Stroll downtown artsy Dillsboro and interact with more than 40 of the region's best artisans. Browse the many shops and galleries while experiencing some of the area's best restaurants.… read more
Stroll downtown artsy Dillsboro and interact with more than 40 of the region's best artisans. Browse the many shops and galleries while experiencing some of the area's best restaurants. Entertainment and festival food round out a great family day that celebrates mountain art and culture. Free admission. Pets welcomed. 10 AM-4 PM.
Art on Main, Hendersonville
Sep 23, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023Buy from juried fine artists with paintings, clay, metal, wood, fiber, jewelry, glass, and more. The main event is Sat & Sun, 10 AM-5 PM
Buy from juried fine artists with paintings, clay, metal, wood, fiber, jewelry, glass, and more. The main event is Sat & Sun, 10 AM-5 PM
Art in Autumn Fest
Sep 16, 2023Fun outdoor arts and crafts festival in Weaverville that includes 100 juried artists, food and live music. Free admission and parking. Just 7 miles north of downtown Asheville.
Fun outdoor arts and crafts festival in Weaverville that includes 100 juried artists, food and live music. Free admission and parking. Just 7 miles north of downtown Asheville.
Art on the Greene
May 25, 2024 - May 26, 2024Find a big variety of 40 artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more in downtown Banner Elk. Many restaurants, shops, and things to do nearby. Benefits their historic… read more
Find a big variety of 40 artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more in downtown Banner Elk. Many restaurants, shops, and things to do nearby. Benefits their historic school renovation. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
Aug 04, 2023 - Aug 05, 2023The streets around Burnsville’s town square are filled with 200 juried crafters displaying nearly every kind of handmade craft imaginable. Located 35 miles northeast of Asheville.
The streets around Burnsville’s town square are filled with 200 juried crafters displaying nearly every kind of handmade craft imaginable. Located 35 miles northeast of Asheville.
Toe River Studio Tour
Nov 10, 2023 - Nov 12, 2023Drive scenic mountain roads to find 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium at their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure in the Penland, Spruce Pine and Burnsville area… read more
Drive scenic mountain roads to find 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium at their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure in the Penland, Spruce Pine and Burnsville area.
Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour
Nov 24, 2023 - Nov 25, 2023Take a free self-guided driving tour of the galleries and working studios of Graham and Swain Counties and buy arts and crafts directly from the artist. Pick up a map at the Stecoah Valley… read more
Take a free self-guided driving tour of the galleries and working studios of Graham and Swain Counties and buy arts and crafts directly from the artist. Pick up a map at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center near Fontana Lake and Robbinsville. 10 AM-5 PM.
Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour
Oct 07, 2023 - Oct 08, 2023Kenilworth neighborhood, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, annual Open Studio Tour features 20+ jewelers, painters, glass-workers, fabric artists, potters, woodworkers, photographers and… read more
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!
Asheville Art in the Park
Jun 03, 2023 - Jun 10, 2023 - Jun 24, 2023See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. 10 AM-5 PM.
See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. 10 AM-5 PM.
