With a creative community of juried members spanning over nine states, the Southern Highland Craft Guild fosters opportunities for makers to build, market, and maintain their creative livelihood through continuing education, retail outlets, and mentorship. We are invested in helping members achieve their goals and providing them with the resources to refine and sell their craft.
Impacting the
Creative Community
We educate the region and arts community on the importance of craft and its ability to impact the local creative economy. Through our retail locations, demonstrations, craft fairs, and special events, we promote the purpose and appreciation of our makers and their craft.
Cultivating Fine Craft
The Southern Highland Craft Guild is an advocate for high quality craftsmanship and goods made, sold, and curated in the Southern Highlands. Since 1930 we have served as a visionary advocate to help generations value the design and function of traditional and modern crafts.
Our Makers
For 90 years, the Guild has curated over 800 artisans, juried in based on their fine craftsmanship of twelve different mediums. These makers reside in the mountain regions of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, & West Virginia.
Upcoming Events
NOV 2021
Aug 28-Jan 16 | Member Show: Black & White 4
This exhibit is in the Main Gallery on the second level of the Folk Art Center featuring members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Nov 13-Feb 15, 2022 | Focus Gallery Show, Natural Direction
On the second level of the Folk Art Center, "Natural Direction" is on display in the Focus Gallery now until Feb 15, 2022. This exhibit features five Guild Members: Hollis Fouts – wall textile, Kathleen Doyle and Thomas Reardon - jewelry, Sue Grier - clay, Tina and Bill Collison - wood, Amy Goldstein Rice - clay.
In the lobby of the Folk Art Center, visitors are invited to watch and interact with Guild members as they demonstrate their craft and explain their process from 10am-4pm.
Join us for the 19th Annual Holiday Sales - ONLINE - as well as in-person open studios December 4th & 5th. Guild artists will have their work discounted on their online shops during this sale event. Shop online and visit their studios in person during the weekend. Online purchases can be picked up at the Folk Art Center (coordinate with the artist).
News & Stories
Natural Direction, Focus Gallery Exhibit
NATURAL DIRECTION NOVEMBER 13 – FEBRUARY 15, 2022 Hollis Fouts – wall textile Kathleen Doyle and Thomas Reardon – jewelry…
Black & White 4
BLACK & WHITE 4 AUGUST 28 – JANUARY 16, 2022 Featured Artists: Sandy & Ann Batton Valerie Berlage Joan Berner…
Guild’s Latest Member-Focused Show Sparkles at the Folk Art Center
SPARKLE AUGUST 7 – NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Featured Artists: Dawn Hinsley-Jones (glass) Erin Janow (pottery) Jason Janow (jewelry) Robin Ford…
Featured Maker
Historical Collection
We invite you to walk through our permanent collection of historical, archived, Appalachian craft at the Folk Art Center. This exhibit of approximately 250 works features woodcarving, textiles, furniture, basketry, pottery, dolls, and other crafts of Southern Appalachia, dating from 1855 to the late 20th century. Many pieces date from the 19th century and were collected in the Asheville area by Frances L. Goodrich, a founding member of the Guild.
Our Permanent Collection also includes works from Berea College, Campbell Folk School, Penland School and other centers that have taught craft skills and connected makers to markets throughout the 20th century. These institutions also added their own patterns to the rhythms of mountain life, such as the Friday morning custom of local carvers coming to the Folk School to sell their latest works.
