The Folk Art Center sits on the Blue Ridge Parkway just east of Asheville and is one of the easiest excellent stops in the city. It is the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, founded in 1930, and the gallery downstairs sells juried work — pottery, blown glass, quilts, wooden furniture, jewellery — from members across nine Appalachian states. Quality is high and prices reasonable.
Upstairs the permanent collection traces the craft revival that the guild helped lead, with looms, baskets, and traditional toys. There is usually a demonstration going on by a member craftsperson at a corner of the gallery. Admission is free.