The Folk Art Center

Established in 1895, Allanstand Craft Shop is nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America. Explore artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more, crafted by the members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, over 400 artists and craftspeople of Southern Appalachia.

DAILY CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS

March – December

Visitors are invited to watch and interact with Guild artisans demonstrating their craft in the lobby from 10am-4pm. Visit craftguild.org/events or call 828-298-7928 for the schedule.

Demo Schedule

Preserving Southern Appalachian craft & culture since 1980

Second Level

EXHIBITIONS

Main Gallery

Featuring both traditional and contemporary works by members of the Guild and affiliated organizations.

Focus Gallery

Exhibitions focusing on the works of five members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Exhibit Schedule

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Craft Traditions

Selected Works from the Guild’s Permanent Collection of international craft ranging from AD 1000 to the present day. Alcove Room: select works from the Permanent Collection.

Online Gallery

ALLANSTAND INTERIORS

Showcasing one-of-a-kind furniture and home accessories crafted by Guild members.

ROBERT W. GRAY LIBRARY

Named for one of the Folk Art Center’s founders, the library contains over 20,000 historical and current volumes of books, exhibition catalogs, video, and more relating to craft from around the world.

More

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GUILD & THE FOLK ART CENTER

HISTORY

Built in 1980 to preserve Southern Appalachian culture on the Blue Ridge Parkway

During the construction of the Parkway, a cooperative relationship formed between the National Park Service & the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Together with the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Folk Art Center was built.

Today, it holds a craft shop, library, three exhibition spaces, an auditorium for special events, and a National Park Service bookstore and information desk.

More