Center for Craft

I am so thankful to have the Center for Craft in downtown Asheville. I’m currently exploring all kinds of different hobbies and crafts, and I especially enjoy their hands-on materials and educational stations in their Engagement Studio. On the day I visited they were hosting the Asheville Zine Fest in the Ideation Lab downstairs, which was such a fun and inspiring experience. It was great to see so many creative voices and local makers sharing their work in an open and supportive space. The galleries are always interesting and well presented, the staff is welcoming, and the mission to support makers and craft culture is something I really value. It means a lot to have a free public space like this that celebrates creativity and community. Asheville is better because of the Center for Craft.

It looks like a fun place, and I really wanted to see it. But when I walked in (the door was not locked, it was during normal hours, and there was no closed sign), one of the workers told me they were setting up for a private event. Ok, no problem. Then she added, after a beat and very rudely, "as you can see." No, ma’am. I’m not from here and did not see that in the one second I was there, trying to get the lay of the land. I’ve never been here before and don’t know what it normally looks like. Maybe be a little nicer to people next time?

Love their mission and glad we had a chance to stop in. Will definitely come back if we are in the area.

This place is really awesome. The art was unique and memorable, and the staff offered up some really cool information about the craft process for a couple of the pieces. The interactive materials section was really awesome! I also thought it was really great that the exhibit focused on artists who were affected by the hurricane. I really love this place!

Wonderful organization! Really enjoyed speaking with the people at the desk about the organization and the artists featured. Especially loved the materials exploration space in the back corner.

I'm sure this is a lovely space, featuring local craftspeople. Our first trip here. The male docent that greeted us was helpful and knowledgeable. Unfortunately the other person that was manning the desk was not. While explaining how the tabletop loom on display in the craft library area worked to my husband, she walked towards us and in an alarmed tone of voice said, "What are you doing with that?" as I was replacing the heddle. When I turned to look at her, she said, "Are you good?" To which I replied that I was. A rule follower by nature, I assure you that there was no signage indicating that this loom should not be touched. In fact it was placed on a table in a interactive area of the display where one could touch different types of wools, and even a child's area with markers and craft paper for coloring. I'm hoping for the sake of the craft space that this person was just having a rough day, because a kinder way to handle the situation if I had been breaking the rules would have been to say, "I'm sorry, that's a display piece only, may I help you?" I am not a child. An unfortunate experience to say the least.

We just happened by and stopped in to see what was there. We loved the gallery space itself, it was was tremendous. The variety and complexity of the baskets were amazing. It was also extraordinarily educational and we walked away with a much better appreciation for the Cherokee nation history and heritage, and the individuals that are helping to preserve it.