It’s a known fact that Western North Carolina is a hub for arts and crafts. Drive through any town and you’ll find galleries, artists, schools, organizations, and museums offering exhibits and wares. The abundance of creativity here is staggering, and it’s why craft is part of our heritage! Often, it inspires others to choose the path of a maker… or at least dabble in a new hobby.
Whether you are looking for a one-time workshop, a multi-day class, or an immersion program to learn new skills, hundreds of options are available. You just need to know where to look. Here’s just a glimpse into the world of creative workshops.
Art Councils
Many counties in Western North Carolina have art councils. Art councils are often non-profit organizations that promote and nurture local creativity, including art, crafts, music, dance, acting, and writing. Funding is sometimes provided to individuals or other organizations. Art councils host events and performances, and provide workshops and other programs to the community.
Craft Schools
For individuals seeking a deep dive into the world of a specific medium, check out the craft schools across our 25 counties. Offerings can include workshops that are an hour or day long, to sessions that last several weeks, or entire semesters that run for several months. When looking for workshops or classes, plan to review in advance and sign up early.
Craft Guilds and Groups
Prefer being creative with others? Seek out local craft guilds and groups. These are ever changing, but they can be great for networking and peer to peer learning. It also never hurts to make friends and get extra moral support. Do some research through social sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Eventbrite, or Meetup, or reach out to art councils for suggestions.
Still searching for information? The Blue Ridge Craft Trails have you covered. Check out our resource guide for even more details on how to embark on your creative journey.
