Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

06/06/2026

It's a beautiful day for a studio tour! We're traveling through Yancey County today, making stops along the Studio Tour. Just a psa- check local community boards in your town or when visiting a town! You can discover all sorts of events. This board is located in downtown Burnsville. Come out and explore!

And visit BlueRidgeHeritage.com to find art and galleries listed on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails!

06/04/2026

Connecting to Place: Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational 2026

Artist Spotlight: Gayle Barker Woody is a retired art teacher from Smoky Mountain High School. Today, Woody is a printmaker and creates paper from wasp nests and grass. She finds inspiration for her artwork in the beautiful flora and fauna around her home.

View the work of Woody and 19 other Blue Ridge Craft Trails artists at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands, NC, now through July 25th.

06/01/2026

This Friday is the grand reopening of Toe River Crafts!

✂️ You're Invited to a Very Special Ribbon Cutting Celebration!

Join the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the grand reopening of Toe River Crafts on Friday, June 5th at 9:30 AM!

For more than 50 years, Toe River Crafts has been a treasured part of the South Toe Valley's artistic heritage. Founded in 1974 by a cooperative of local artists and craftspeople, the gallery was built by hand through the spirit of community cooperation and has showcased the work of talented regional artisans ever since.

When Hurricane Helene devastated our region, the historic gallery was tragically destroyed by floodwaters. The building was literally washed away, but the artists, supporters, and community members behind Toe River Crafts never gave up. Through determination, hard work, and tremendous community support, they have rebuilt and are once again opening their doors to share the creativity, craftsmanship, and mountain traditions that make our region so special.

We invite everyone to come celebrate this remarkable story of resilience, renewal, and Appalachian spirit. Meet local artists, tour the beautiful new gallery, and help us welcome this beloved Yancey County institution back home.

📍 4990 Hwy 80 South, Burnsville, NC
🗓 Friday, June 5th
⏰ Ribbon Cutting at 9:30 AM

Let's show our support for the artists, volunteers, and community members who helped make this inspiring comeback possible. We hope to see you there! ❤️🎨🏔️

05/30/2026

The Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a week away. Visit open studios throughout Yancey and Mitchell Counties, and see artists in their element!

05/26/2026

There's a new artist at Reems Creek Pottery in Weaverville!

05/21/2026

The rhododendrons are in full bloom throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. An amazing place to catch these precious pink flowers is Grandfather Mountain.

Saturday, May 23, through the end of the month, visitors can take part in the Rhododendron Ramble. This 20-minute walk introduces visitors to these beautiful native plants. The path is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Dive even deeper into the details about the plant at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.

05/21/2026

Don't miss the Western NC Art and Craft Showcase this Saturday. It's going to be a day filled with creativity, community, and craft!