Toe River Arts

Amazing Animals Workshop
2023-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville., 552 E U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass, Burnsville, North Carolina, 28714
Welcome Spring with this fun workshop focused on animals. Whether feathered, furry, or finned – we’ll explore ways to make the animals you love! Class includes all materials and firing. Ages 5+.
When: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville, NC
Workshop & materials fee:: $55 per participant
Register here.

Second Tuesday Life Drawing - March
2023-03-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Let’s draw together! Bring your favorite drawing implements and surfaces, or use ours, and let’s spend the evening in the Toe River Arts Owen Gallery in Spruce Pine, sharing tips and tricks and improving our drawing skills. We’ll work with live-clothed models and still-life setups.
Register here.
When: Tuesday, March 13, 2023, 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Owen Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC
Workshop & materials fee:
$12 – Single class – General Public
$10 – Single class- Current Toe River Arts Members & Donors
$50 – 5 class punch card – General Public
$40 – 5 class punch card- Current Toe River Arts Members & Donors
$95 – 10 class punch card – General Public
$75 – 10 class punch card – Current Toe River Arts Members & Donors

Mitchell County Student Showcase Reception
2023-03-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: March 4, 2023, 11AM – 1PM
Where: Kokol Gallery

Creative Clay Valentines
2023-02-11 10:00 - 12:00 | High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville., 552 E U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass, Burnsville, North Carolina, 28714
High Country Ceramic Arts member Anna Early is offering a Clay Valentine Workshop for kids ages 6 and older. Students will learn new techniques for hand-building these small sculptures which will then be fired and returned for use. Ages 6+.
About the teacher: Anna Early enjoys working with kids of all ages as a teaching artist in Mitchell and Yancey County schools and through kids’ camps at Penland. Anna has many years in the classroom and holds a Montessori teaching certificate.
Register here.
When: Saturday, February 11, 2023, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville, NC
Workshop & materials fee:: $55 per participant

Mitchell County Student Showcase
2023-02-11 - 2023-03-11 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
The Arts in Education Showcase features the artwork of kindergarten through 12th-grade students from public, private, and home schools in Mitchell County. The showcase celebrates the creative achievements of our students and honors the dedication shown by the art educators who nurture creativity and artistic growth.
When: February 11 – March 11, 2023Where: Kokol Gallery

Fall Studio Tour
2022-11-11 - 2022-11-13 | NC
Since 1992, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has showcased the talent and studios of North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County artists. These world-renowned, well-traveled, and skilled artists bring beauty to the world by sharing their craft. All of the artists featured have a fascinating story, interesting background, and their own “Journey of the Arts.” The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces. Along with the Studio Tour, participating artists will exhibit their work in the Spruce Pine Gallery.
When: November 11 – November 13

Big Ink! with Lyell Castonguay
2022-10-29 09:00 - 2022-10-30 17:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Toe River Arts and BIG INK present a workshop printing large woodblocks for all levels of skills and interests. Participants will produce woodblock prints that are 24” x 46” and up to 40″ x 96”. BIG INK’s specialty is printing woodblocks carved at a monumental scale.
Participants will include local artists tasked with carving woodblocks in the months leading up to BIG INK’s visit.
No prior experience is required from any of the event participants, BIG INK will provide an online tutorial workshop once you have registered.
Toe River Arts will provide a space, share tools and materials, guidance, and offer an opportunity to build connections. Most of the work can be done at home, however, we hope to gather together to share updates, potential studio tours, and slides. Participants will pay a $175 fee for the workshop event plus the cost of materials needed to make the block, paper and ink will be provided on the day of the workshop.
BIG INK will return to Toe River Arts, Owen Gallery on October 29 & 30, 2022 and work with the group printing each participant’s woodblock. Each participant will leave with three professional-grade prints, rejuvenated inspiration, new skills, and new connections.
Please register by August 22, 2022. If you have any questions contact the Toe River Arts, Community Outreach Coordinator.
Workshop Refund Policy:
Due to uncertainties created by COVID-19, we are no longer able to offer refunds for any workshop unless we can fill your spot. We will extend a 24-hour grace period immediately following the purchase of a workshop where a refund will be issued if requested by the student. Beyond that 24-hour grace period, refunds will not be issued under any circumstance. If you are issued a refund a check will be mailed for all your workshop fees minus a 3% processing fee.
Register here.
When: October 29 – 30, 2022, 9AM – 5PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop & materials fee: $175 for all participants. The fee covers all supplies for the day of printing (paper for 3 prints, ink, etc). Artists are responsible for purchasing their own wood or MDF. Some supplies can be borrowed from Toe River Arts, carving tools, paint, carbon paper, etc.
Print by Alison Darrow.

Studio Tour Preview Exhibition
2022-10-29 - 2022-12-31 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Since 1992, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has showcased the talent and studios of North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County artists. These world-renowned, well-traveled, and skilled artists bring beauty to the world by sharing their craft. All of the artists featured have a fascinating story, interesting background, and their own “Journey of the Arts.” The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces. Along with the Studio Tour, participating artists will exhibit their work in the Spruce Pine Gallery.
When: October 29 – December 31
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Fall Baskets with Bridget VanRemortel
2022-10-15 10:00 - 17:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Join Bridget for a day of learning about traditional Appalachian basketry while weaving your very own fall basket.
“I have always loved creating with my hands in one way or another. I love to create with color and make something that is functional and useful. I enjoy being able to make something that can be used every day and fill a need.” – Bridget VanRemortel
Register here.
October 15, 2022, 10AM – 5PM
Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop & materials fee: $70 general public; $60 artist members & donors* (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

36th Annual Music in the Mountains Folk Festival
2022-09-17 | NC
Join us on September 17, 2022, as we come together to celebrate the 36th annual Music in the Mountains Folk Festival.
Since 1985, the Music in the Mountains Folk Festival has showcased local and regional traditional music. With your support in the way of donations and the purchase of limited-edition t-shirts, we can continue to honor performers and promoters like Don Pedi and past honorees Wayne Ledford, Rhonda Gouge, Bob Lominac, Bobby McMillon, Bruce Greene, Bob “Happy Feet” Aldridge, and Bill and Judy Carson.

2022 Beer in the Garden
2022-09-15 17:30 - 20:00 | NuWray Hotel, 102 Town Square, Burnsville, 28714, United States
Toe River Arts will host a fundraiser at the NuWray Hotel to raise operational funds in support of its mission to connect artists, the arts, and communities across Western North Carolina. A first-of-its-kind event for the organization, Beer in the Garden will feature work from four Toe River Arts artists: Speckled Dog Pottery, McWhirter Pottery, McAvoy Pottery, and Rutkowsky Pottery. In addition to offering pieces from these artists for sale, the event will include live music, a seafood boil catered by the NuWray Hotel, a make-and-take activity, and regional beer. Each guest will also receive a hand-crafted mug from a talented local artist for attending. Tickets are limited and are selling fast!
Buy tickets here.

Creative Paper Clay with Susan Garriques
2022-09-03 10:00 - 2022-09-04 14:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Learn how to add dimension to your artwork using Creative Paper Clay. An air-dry clay, Paper Clay is fun, flexible, and forgiving, making it perfect for beginning and advanced students alike. This workshop will be held over 2 half days. On the first day, learn how to sculpt and carve paper clay onto a birch board. On the second day, finish your piece with acrylic mediums and paints. Your final artwork will look like carved wood and will be 5″ x 7″.
Register here.
When: September 3 – 4, 2022, 10AM – 2PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop & materials fee: $60 general public; $50 artist members & donors* (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

Re-think Big Ink
2022-08-12 - 2022-12-31 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: August 12 – December 31
Where: Owen Gallery

LIFE ART LIFE | William Bernstein 50 Year Retrospective
2022-08-06 - 2022-10-09 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: August 6 – October 9
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Kids Clay with Linda Powell
2022-07-18 13:00 - 2022-07-20 15:30 | High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville., 552 E U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass, Burnsville, North Carolina, 28714
Linda Powell from High Country Ceramic Arts will be hosting a three-day clay hand-building workshop for kids.  Each student will spend the first two days designing using hand-building techniques that will include slabs, coiling, pinching, and assembly. On the third day, the kids will be decorating with underglazes.  After the workshop, the pieces will be bisque fired, clear glazed, and glazed fired and will be available for pick up a few weeks later.  No experience is required.
Register here.
When: July 18 – 20, 2022, 1PM – 3:30PM
Where: High Country Ceramic Arts
Workshop & materials fee: $110 general public; $100 artist members & donors* (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

Works + Wonders of High Country
2022-06-25 - 2022-07-30 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: June 25 – July 30
Where: Owen Gallery

Kids Clay with Linda Powell
2022-06-20 13:00 - 2022-06-22 15:30 | High Country Ceramic Arts, Burnsville., 552 E U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass, Burnsville, North Carolina, 28714
Linda Powell from High Country Ceramic Arts will be hosting a three-day clay hand-building workshop for kids.  Each student will spend the first two days designing using hand-building techniques that will include slabs, coiling, pinching, and assembly. On the third day, the kids will be decorating with underglazes.  After the workshop, the pieces will be bisque fired, clear glazed, and glazed fired and will be available for pick up a few weeks later.  No experience is required.
Register here.
When: June 20 – 22, 2022, 1PM – 3:30PM
Where: High Country Ceramic Arts
Workshop & materials fee: $110 general public; $100 artist members & donors* (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

Contain Your Fear
2022-06-18 - 2022-07-23 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: June 18 – July 23
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Spring Studio Tour
2022-06-03 - 2022-06-05 | NC
Since 1992, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has showcased the talent and studios of North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County artists. These world-renowned, well-traveled, and skilled artists bring beauty to the world by sharing their craft. All of the artists featured have a fascinating story, interesting background, and their own “Journey of the Arts.” The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces. Along with the Studio Tour, participating artists will exhibit their work in the Spruce Pine Gallery.
When: June 3 – June 5

A Time and Place | Luther and Victoria Stroup
2022-05-14 - 2022-06-11 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
When: May 14 – June 11
Where: Owen Gallery

Spring Studio Tour Preview Exhibition
2022-05-14 - 2022-06-05 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Since 1992, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has showcased the talent and studios of North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County artists. These world-renowned, well-traveled, and skilled artists bring beauty to the world by sharing their craft. All of the artists featured have a fascinating story, interesting background, and their own “Journey of the Arts.” The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces. Along with the Studio Tour, participating artists will exhibit their work in the Spruce Pine Gallery.
When: May 14 – June 5
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Fused Glass Hanging Mosaic Window Candy with Amanda Taylor
2022-05-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
These miniature window hangings are like sparkling candy that can be hung in any window in your home. Each family will be assembling 3 – 4″ x 6″ mosaic designs of their choosing on a base piece of clear glass. It is recommended that you think about a design that you would like and bring it to class. There will be a variety of glass elements to choose from for your designs. After assembling your mosaic window candy pieces, the instructor will take your designs back to her studio to be fired in the glass kilns. Pickup of the final pieces will be 1 week after the class and can be picked up at TRAC in Spruce Pine.
Register here.
When: May 7, 2022, 1PM – 3PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop Fee: $70 general public, $60 member artists & donors (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

2023 Exhibition Proposals
2022-04-16 | NC
Propose an exhibition for the Spruce Pine gallery for 2023! We feature both local and nationally recognized artists in our exhibition spaces. Exhibitions can feature one or more artists or an arts organization. Cooperative exhibits that include 2D and 3D work are encouraged. Visit our Artist Opportunities page for more information.
Deadline to apply: April 16, 2022

Glass Flower Garden Wall or Window Hanging with Amanda Taylor
2022-04-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Create your very own fused glass flower garden that can be displayed on any wall or window in your home. In this class, we will be working with pre-fused glass flowers and other pre-made elements to create your unique flower garden. Designing with pre-fired elements that can be positioned and repositioned allows you endless design possibilities. Each student will be creating a design on an 8″ x 6″ glass tile that has a pre-fired sky and ground. All you have to do is create your garden. The instructor will take your designs back to her studio to be fired in the glass kilns. Pickup of the final pieces will be 1 week after the class and can be picked up at TRAC in Spruce Pine.
Register here.
When: April 3, 2022, 10AM – 12PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop Fee: $80 general public, $70 member artists & donors (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

15th Annual Blacksmith Exhibition
2022-04-02 - 2022-04-30 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Every year, Toe River Arts hosts a Blacksmith Exhibition in conjunction with the annual Fire on the Mountain Festival which takes place in April. The sculptors represented in this exhibit are some of those currently pushing the art and craft of fine ironwork to the next level of excellence. The artists showcase vast advancements of techniques and sophistication and are producing remarkable work using the ancient techniques of forging.
When: April 2 – April 30
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Fused Glass Crazy Quilt Wall Hanging or Window Hanging with Amanda Taylor
2022-03-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
These fused glass crazy quilts are like puzzles and that is what it feels like when piecing these together, but you are the designer with endless possibilities. Students will be assembling their “crazy quilts” on an 8″ x 8″ base piece of clear glass. You will be choosing your quilt blocks from a selection of 3 different patterns and pre-fired design elements. There will be a variety of color palettes for your designs to choose from for your creation. After assembling your crazy quilt, you can decide if you want it to be a wall hanging or a window hanging. The instructor will take your designs back to her studio to be fired in the glass kilns. Pickup of the final pieces will be 1 week after the class and can be picked up at TRAC in Spruce Pine.
Register here.
When: March 19, 2022, 10AM – 12PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop Fee: $90 general public, $80 member artists & donors (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

Call to Blacksmiths
2022-03-17 | NC
Toe River Arts will host their Annual Blacksmith Exhibit on April 2nd through April 30th, the day of Fire on the Mountain Festival. We are inviting blacksmiths to participate in this year’s exhibit, which has always proved to be exceptional. Artists can submit 2 pieces. Visit our Artist Opportunities page for more information.
Deadline to apply: March 17, 2022

2022 Gift Shop Submissions
2022-03-11 | NC
Apply to have your work reviewed for both Toe River Arts Gift Shops! Open to Toe River Arts members living in Mitchell, Yancey, and Avery counties. Submit up to three pieces for review for one or both Toe River Arts galleries. Work must be original, handmade, professional, ready for display, and sellable in the Toe River Arts venue. Visit our Artist Opportunities page for more information.
Deadline to apply: March 11, 2022

Market Baskets with Bridget VanRemortel
2022-03-05 10:00 - 17:00 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Join Bridget VanRemortel for a day of learning about traditional Appalachian basketry while weaving your very own market basket. This 8” x 12 ½” basket is perfect for use in the garden, at the market, in the home, or given as a gift. Materials and tools are provided including various color options. Additionally, an optional supply/tool list will be provided after registration.
Register here.
When: March 5, 2022, 10AM – 5PM
Where: Owen Gallery, Toe River Arts
Workshop Fee: $90 general public, $80 member artists & donors (*members & donors must be current at the promotional level)

2022 Spring Studio Tour Submissions
2022-03-03 | NC
Join our Spring Studio Tour, held Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5. Applications are open to all Toe River Artist members. The Tour is a self-guided art/craft studio tour and open house and will be held alongside a Studio Tour Exhibition in the Spruce Pine Gallery. Visit our Artist Opportunities page for more information.
Deadline to apply: March 3, 2022
