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 is Downtown Asheville. Owners and glassblowers Billy and Geoff love to demonstration 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 glassblowering each day except on Tuesdays. Admission is free. Their gallery is full of their gorgeous creations in all price ranges. They are open late on many weekends with live music the first Friday of each month, April-December. Read more about them.
Bender Gallery (29 Biltmore Ave): Don't miss this contemporary fine art gallery specializing in museum quality glass sculpture by U.S. and international artists. See work by some of today's leading glass artists including the world-renowned Maestro Lino Tagliapietra, Davide Salvadore with sons Marco and Mattia, Hiroshi Yamano, and husband and wife team Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg. You will be inspired by their creativity and skill. Go to their website for more.
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 that is powered by methane gas captured from the old town landfill. The fuel provides heat for blacksmith forges, metal foundry, pottery kiln 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) a famous center for craft education tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains with one to eight 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
,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… read more
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
,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… read more
Toe River Studio Tour
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… read more
Asheville Art in the Park
, ,See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. 10 AM-5 PM.
Art on Main, Hendersonville
,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
Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
,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.
Rotary Arts & Crafts Fair, Cashiers
See works from 90 of the finest artisans from the Southeast on the Village Green in Cashiers, 10 AM-5 PM. Find ironwork, woodcraft, textiles, cakes, jams, pottery and more. Free admission, but… read more
Art on the Greene
,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… read more
Saluda Arts Festival
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 … read more
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… read more
Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour
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… read more
Front Street Arts & Crafts Show
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.… read more
Art in Autumn Fest
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.
