We are honored to partner with the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to present Returning to the Ridge: The 2025 Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational, on view through Sept. 28, 2025, at the Mars Landing Galleries. This exhibition embodies our shared commitment to elevating the rich crafting heritage of Western North Carolina while fostering connections with audiences far and wide. Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational curator Anna Fariello remarks:
“What makes Western North Carolina a center of craft is a history of craft production that brought public awareness to the value of making things by hand. Beginning at the turn of the 20th century, a flurry of activity developed markets for local goods. While sales helped individuals make it through tough economic times, craft production fostered an appreciation of handwork. Today’s Blue Ridge Craft Trails and Returning to the Ridge, its 2025 invitational exhibition, continue to build on the region’s history as a leading center for craft production and education in the US. The exhibiting artists not only make incredibly beautiful objects but also continue a hand-making tradition that reveals their skill and fine craftsmanship.”
