North Carolina's Native Crafts Are Beautiful And Functional
The seclusion of North Carolina's mountains was sought after by Native Americans and European immigrants. With this isolation came the need to create the items that made life easier in the rugged terrain. Therefore, mountain residents built their own homes; crafted furniture, dolls and toys; carved musical instruments; molded pottery and wove baskets.
Descendants of original North Carolinians still practice their arts in the western North Carolina mountains, and each year they welcome thousands of travelers to come experience North Carolina's living history.
Popular destinations include The Folk Arts Center, located outside Asheville. Home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, it features a wide variety of crafts and offers unique programs.
The Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, is the result of the efforts of 60 Cherokee craftsmen who came together to help sell their handicrafts. Today, it offers works from 300 artists and is one of the nation's most respected sources of Native American crafts.
The John C. Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, was founded in 1919 on the model of Danish-style folk schools and continues the craft traditions developed by William Morris and John Ruskin in the mid-1800s.
Penland School of Crafts, one of the most respected craft schools in the country, offers intensive instruction in over a dozen different media, including book arts, glass, clay, metal, wood, photography and textiles.
The Appalachian Heritage Museum, in Blowing Rock, is a living museum where full-time docents demonstrate skills year round.
For additional information and story ideas for North Carolina, go to www.visitnc.com or call 1-800-VISIT NC.
