Elizabeth Holden Gallery

Just a few miles from downtown Asheville, the Folk Art Center at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Highway 70 is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, one of the largest regional craft guilds in the country. The center features dozens of traditional and contemporary crafts in three galleries that are indigenous to the Southern Appalachia Mountains.Parking and public transportation at the Folk Art CenterThere is plenty of free parking available for cars and busses at the Folk Art Center.Best and worst time to go to the Folk Art CenterPortions of the Blue Ridge Parkway can be closed during the winter months due to snow and ice. Traffic fluctuates throughout the year. Summertime, holiday weekends, and peak leaf season in October tends to draw more visitors and the center can be more crowded.Admission to the Folk Art CenterThere is no admission charge to the Folk Art Center.Must see/do at the Folk Art CenterExhibits rotate seasonally at the Folk Art Center, so there's always something new to see. From March through December, the center also offers daily craft demonstrations, where visitors can watch local skilled craftsmen and learn techniques. Demonstrations are run from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and are free and open to the public.Other places to visit near the Folk Art CenterVisitors have access to miles of hiking trails and scenic views off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Also nearby is the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, which is open weekdays during business hours for tours and visitors.Insider tip for visitors to the Folk Art CenterEvery July and October, the Southern Highland Craft Guild also hosts a multi-day craft fair at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville. The event features juried artists, craft demonstrations, and live regional music. Many artisans will be on site to sell their work.Author's bio: Carolyn B. Fraiser is a freelance journalist, photographer, and publications specialist in Asheville, North Carolina. Follow her on Twitter @carolynbfraiser.