Community Calendar

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.

Spring in Burnsville, NC is a magical time. Our trails are alive with the vibrant colors of so many wildflowers. Between trees, ferns, moss, and more, it’s impossible to document just how many shades of green can be found here. And the light – oh how the light brightens our historic square, highlighting so many intriguing architectural details. In other words, it’s an artist’s paradise. ​​Explore Burnsville and Toe River Crafts invite you to pack your paints and your passion and head to Burnsville for our inaugural spring Plein-Air festival.

​​WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

​Tuesday, May 12

​10 a.m – 2 p.m. – Stop by the registration area to stamp your canvas and learn more
about potential painting settings. Your paintbrushes will be privy to special locations unique to participating artists.

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Join your fellow painters for cocktails, conversation and carefully
curated appetizers.

​Wednesday, May 13

​10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Painting demos on the town square from some of our favorite local artists

​Thursday, May 14

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Optional workshop with Jo Ridge Kelley ($200 per person) To register, email jo@jokelley.com

​​
Friday, May 15

​1 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Frame, deliver and hang canvases
5:30 – 8 p.m. – Dinner and art sale

​

Saturday, May 16

​10 a.m. – noon – Quickdraw Paintout Competition on the Burnsville Square (1st prize: $350/ 2nd prize: $150)

​Cost is $90/person and includes Tuesday cocktail reception and Friday evening dinner.​ For more information, feel free to contact Sue Wasserman, Yancey County TDA Director. sue.wasserman@yanceycountync.gov

The Beauty of the Bloom: A Celebration of Botanical Art

Step into a world of vibrant color and organic wonder at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. This May, we invite you to Pure Flora, a stunning multi-media exhibition dedicated to the breathtaking beauty of the plant kingdom.

Featuring talented regional artists, this collection explores our deep connection to nature through exquisite painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. More than just a gallery show, Pure Flora serves as the official lead-in to our milestone 20th Anniversary of Art in Bloom. Come experience the "botanical beauty" that has inspired our community for two decades and find a fresh perspective on the flowers and forests that surround us every day. Whether you are a gardener, a nature enthusiast, or a lover of fine art, this exhibition is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When: May 1st – May 22nd, 2026

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: Free & Open to the Public

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.

Spring in Burnsville, NC is a magical time. Our trails are alive with the vibrant colors of so many wildflowers. Between trees, ferns, moss, and more, it’s impossible to document just how many shades of green can be found here. And the light – oh how the light brightens our historic square, highlighting so many intriguing architectural details. In other words, it’s an artist’s paradise. ​​Explore Burnsville and Toe River Crafts invite you to pack your paints and your passion and head to Burnsville for our inaugural spring Plein-Air festival.

​​WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

​Tuesday, May 12

​10 a.m – 2 p.m. – Stop by the registration area to stamp your canvas and learn more
about potential painting settings. Your paintbrushes will be privy to special locations unique to participating artists.

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Join your fellow painters for cocktails, conversation and carefully
curated appetizers.

​Wednesday, May 13

​10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Painting demos on the town square from some of our favorite local artists

​Thursday, May 14

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Optional workshop with Jo Ridge Kelley ($200 per person) To register, email jo@jokelley.com

​​
Friday, May 15

​1 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Frame, deliver and hang canvases
5:30 – 8 p.m. – Dinner and art sale

​

Saturday, May 16

​10 a.m. – noon – Quickdraw Paintout Competition on the Burnsville Square (1st prize: $350/ 2nd prize: $150)

​Cost is $90/person and includes Tuesday cocktail reception and Friday evening dinner.​ For more information, feel free to contact Sue Wasserman, Yancey County TDA Director. sue.wasserman@yanceycountync.gov

The Beauty of the Bloom: A Celebration of Botanical Art

Step into a world of vibrant color and organic wonder at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. This May, we invite you to Pure Flora, a stunning multi-media exhibition dedicated to the breathtaking beauty of the plant kingdom.

Featuring talented regional artists, this collection explores our deep connection to nature through exquisite painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. More than just a gallery show, Pure Flora serves as the official lead-in to our milestone 20th Anniversary of Art in Bloom. Come experience the "botanical beauty" that has inspired our community for two decades and find a fresh perspective on the flowers and forests that surround us every day. Whether you are a gardener, a nature enthusiast, or a lover of fine art, this exhibition is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When: May 1st – May 22nd, 2026

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: Free & Open to the Public

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.

Spring in Burnsville, NC is a magical time. Our trails are alive with the vibrant colors of so many wildflowers. Between trees, ferns, moss, and more, it’s impossible to document just how many shades of green can be found here. And the light – oh how the light brightens our historic square, highlighting so many intriguing architectural details. In other words, it’s an artist’s paradise. ​​Explore Burnsville and Toe River Crafts invite you to pack your paints and your passion and head to Burnsville for our inaugural spring Plein-Air festival.

​​WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

​Tuesday, May 12

​10 a.m – 2 p.m. – Stop by the registration area to stamp your canvas and learn more
about potential painting settings. Your paintbrushes will be privy to special locations unique to participating artists.

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Join your fellow painters for cocktails, conversation and carefully
curated appetizers.

​Wednesday, May 13

​10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Painting demos on the town square from some of our favorite local artists

​Thursday, May 14

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Optional workshop with Jo Ridge Kelley ($200 per person) To register, email jo@jokelley.com

​​
Friday, May 15

​1 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Frame, deliver and hang canvases
5:30 – 8 p.m. – Dinner and art sale

​

Saturday, May 16

​10 a.m. – noon – Quickdraw Paintout Competition on the Burnsville Square (1st prize: $350/ 2nd prize: $150)

​Cost is $90/person and includes Tuesday cocktail reception and Friday evening dinner.​ For more information, feel free to contact Sue Wasserman, Yancey County TDA Director. sue.wasserman@yanceycountync.gov

The Beauty of the Bloom: A Celebration of Botanical Art

Step into a world of vibrant color and organic wonder at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. This May, we invite you to Pure Flora, a stunning multi-media exhibition dedicated to the breathtaking beauty of the plant kingdom.

Featuring talented regional artists, this collection explores our deep connection to nature through exquisite painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. More than just a gallery show, Pure Flora serves as the official lead-in to our milestone 20th Anniversary of Art in Bloom. Come experience the "botanical beauty" that has inspired our community for two decades and find a fresh perspective on the flowers and forests that surround us every day. Whether you are a gardener, a nature enthusiast, or a lover of fine art, this exhibition is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When: May 1st – May 22nd, 2026

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: Free & Open to the Public

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.