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Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
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Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

A twice-a-year gathering of makers and lovers of craft

Known then as the Craftsman’s Fair of the Southern Highlands, the first guild fair was held over a four-day period in July 1948 in Gatlinburg and included more than 25 demonstrations.  It moved to Asheville’s civic center in 1951, where it has been held ever since.

Now over 70 years old, the Craft Fair returns twice a year to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. More than 200 makers exhibit and sell a fabulous variety of craft items, including works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild represents over 1,000 craftspeople in 293 counties of 9 southeastern states. Its fairs are unique in that they offer buyers the opportunity to connect with individual artists by purchasing directly from them and thereby learning something about the technique, the stories, the heart and soul represented in each piece. 

In an age of mass production and imports, the connection to fine American craft and the individual maker is more relevant than ever.  

Offices of the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands and Southern Highland Craft Guild are located within the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805 (828-298-7928).

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