Mora in downtown Asheville (above) sells jewelry made by artists, many of them local. Gems and precious metals can be found, as well as earrings made from 3-D printed plastic. (Below) Sarah Wells Rolland at work at The Village Potters Clay Center in the River Arts District, or “RAD,” as it’s known.
The Lift Studios, where Daniel McClendon paints and shows his works; (right) ceramics on display at The Village Potters Clay Center
In the RAD, nearly two dozen industrial warehouses have become studios for more than 200 artists.
Old Meets New: The Center for Craft exhibit “Weaving Across Time” (on view through early June) features works by nine contemporary Cherokee basketmakers who are exploring the boundaries of this centuries-old medium through size and materials.
Harvey Littleton, who lived in the region from the late 1970s until his death in 2013, is regarded as the father of the studio glass movement.
Harvey Littleton's Lemon/Cranberry Lyrical Movement (1989, 23 × 14 × 4 inches) is among the Asheville Art Museum’s holdings.
Momentum Gallery explores the intersection of fine art and craft.
The Asheville Art Museum exhibits American art of the 20th and 21st centuries, with a significant number of holdings related to regional artistic achievements.
Blue Spiral 1.
Across the street, the Center for Craft is focused on the future. The organization awards millions of dollars to makers, scholars, and curators pushing the field forward.
The wine patio at Benjamin Walls Gallery.
Glass Act: Lexington Glassworks is an open glass studio and gallery, featuring the works of founders Geoff Koslow (pictured) and Billy Guilford and their team. Through their new resident assistantship program, they’re attracting even more talent to Asheville.
Works at the Folk Art Center by juried members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, including metal and mineral jewelry by Erica Stankwytch Bailey.
Woven scarves by Cindy Malovany.
The Folk Art Center.
The Folk Art Center is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Folk Art Center’s Allanstand Craft Shop is the oldest craft shop in the country
Kenny Pieper cold-working a handblown piece of glass in his studio
Art History: Founded in 1929, Penland School of Craft (above) is recognized as one of the leading craft schools in America. Its influence has helped attract countless artists who came here to learn or teach and have remained in the area. Hundreds of studios, including McWhirter Pottery (below left and center) are nearby.
Peter McWhirter’s pottery studio in Burnsville and the wares on offer.
A pinched stoneware pot by Penland School of Craft artist Paul S. Briggs
Cynthia Bringle Pottery in Penland.
Penland School of Craft Gallery
OOAK One of a Kind Art Gallery.
The French Broad River.
North Carolina Glass Center offers workshops that give newcomers a hands-on art experience.
Bottle Riot wine bar.
The colorfully painted former textile warehouses known as Pink Dog Creative are home to 34 artists, two restaurants, and Grind AVL Coffee Bar.
Art Walk: Woolworth Walk contains a restored soda fountain and two floors of artworks by 175 local artists. Located in Asheville’s historic Black business district known as “The Block.”
Noir Collective is a Black-owned shop and gallery.
The Folk Art Center in Asheville.
Table by Southern Highland Craft Guild member Valerie Berlage.
