From artist colony to thriving craft destination
Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a regional center for arts and crafts in the Appalachian Foothills. The school was established in 1960 as a key part of the grassroots movement that led to the development of Tryon as an artists’ colony.
Hands-on classes and workshops are taught in a variety of traditional and contemporary crafts, including pottery, jewelry, weaving and fiber arts, blacksmithing, glass, lapidary, woodworking and more by renowned artisan instructors. In July and August there is a Summer Sizzler Youth Art Camp Program, where children learn eight or more different crafts each week.
To promote and celebrate the extraordinary artisans and craftspersons in the area, TACS hosts regular exhibitions in the Exhibition Gallery, maintains a permanent Heritage Collection, and sponsors craft festivals on the park-like grounds.
TACS opened the Heritage Collection (partially funded by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area) as a permanent installation in 2008, exhibiting over 200 artifacts native to Western North Carolina and specifically the Tryon area, some dating back to 1775. On display are animals, dolls and tiny pieces of furniture from the original Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers as well as Cherokee artifacts, pottery, forged tools, quilts, weavings, furniture, musical instruments and paintings.
The Gift Shop features hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind items. Visitors are welcome to browse the galleries and spend time in the studios getting to know more about the arts and crafts of this region.
For hours and other information, visit their website.
