Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center Asheville
The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center in Asheville, North Carolina is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of traditional crafts in the southern Appalachian region of the United States. The center houses a museum, a gallery, and a retail store that feature the work of over 900 craftspeople from nine southeastern states.
History
The Southern Highland Craft Guild was founded in 1930 to promote the traditional crafts of the southern Appalachian region and to provide a market for the work of local craftspeople. The organization quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and its members were invited to exhibit their work at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.
In 1951, the Southern Highland Craft Guild opened the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina. The center was designed to showcase the work of the guild's members and to provide a venue for educational programs and workshops.
The Museum
The museum at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center features exhibits that showcase the history and cultural significance of traditional crafts in the southern Appalachian region. The exhibits include examples of weaving, pottery, woodcarving, and other traditional crafts, as well as tools and equipment used by craftspeople in the past.
The Gallery
The gallery at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center features the work of over 300 craftspeople from the nine southeastern states represented by the guild. The gallery showcases a wide variety of traditional crafts, including textiles, pottery, woodcarving, jewelry, and basketry.
The Retail Store
The retail store at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center offers visitors the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts from the guild's members. The store features a wide selection of traditional crafts, including quilts, baskets, pottery, and woodcarvings.
Education and Workshops
The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center offers a variety of educational programs and workshops for people of all ages. The center's educational programs include lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops that teach traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery, and woodcarving.
Events
The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including craft fairs, exhibitions, and demonstrations. The center's craft fairs are particularly popular, attracting thousands of visitors who come to see and purchase handmade crafts from the guild's members.
Visiting the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center
The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center is open to the public year-round, and admission is free. The center is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina, and is easily accessible by car. Visitors to the center can tour the museum, gallery, and retail store, as well as participate in educational programs and workshops.
Conclusion
The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center in Asheville, North Carolina is a unique and valuable resource for anyone interested in traditional crafts and the cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region. The center's museum, gallery, and retail store offer visitors the opportunity to see and purchase handmade crafts from some of the region's most talented craftspeople, while the center's educational programs and workshops provide a hands-on learning experience that is both informative and enjoyable.
