The Enveloping Landscape with Susan Patrice
2021-09-18 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Through this immersive workshop, we guide photographers of all levels through a personal and transformative creative process. Participants experience the relational beauty of documentary photography, learn simple and powerful earth-based mindfulness practices, and make personal photographs that open the door to wonder and curiosity while deepening their contemplative practice of seeing, knowing, and caring for a place. Inspiration is sparked through photographic exercises, an awakening of the imagination, and meaningful and supportive reflection. No prior photography experience is needed, and iPhones are welcome. Ages 16+ welcome.
Artist Biography:
Susan Patrice is a documentary photographer, community artist, and founder of Makers Circle. She recently launched PhotoTerra, a community project that encourages photographers to deepen their intimacy with the natural world through visual stewardship. Susan’s own photography and public installations focus primarily on the Southern Landscape and its people and feature intimate images that touch deeply into the questions of place and belonging.
Register here.
When: September 18, 10 AM – 5 PM
Where: Toe River Arts Spruce Pine Owen Gallery
Workshop Fee: $100

Wonders and Realities | Allison Edge
2021-09-25 - 2021-10-23 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Burnsville, 102 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC, 28714, United States
Allison Edge will exhibit in the Community 2D Gallery in Burnsville September 25 – October 23, 2021.
Allison Edge creates dreamy, photograph-based paintings, lingering in nostalgia, often depicting memories of family travels, encounters with the natural world, and other documented occasions of 1970s and 80s Americana. She features animals, landscapes, and plants, as well as man-made structures that can simultaneously capture our wonder and apprehension. Her style is realism, as if through a soft-focus lens, sometimes in hard candy tints, and other times in dark shadows. The images offer an indulgence into memories and dreamscapes.
The Burnsville gallery is open Thursday – Saturday, 10:30AM – 5PM.
Photos courtesy of the artist.

Here and There, Contemporary Sculptural Ironwork
2021-09-25 - 2021-10-30 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Here and There, Contemporary Sculptural Ironwork
September 25 – October 30
Every year, Toe River Arts hosts a Blacksmith Exhibition in conjunction with the annual Fire on the Mountain Festival which takes place in April. Due to the pandemic the festival was canceled in 2020. Because of the cancellation, Toe River Arts recognized the need to adapt and hosted a virtual exhibition of blacksmith work. Elizabeth Brim was featured as the master blacksmith in both 2020 and 2021. Regrettably, the live festival event was cancelled again this year, so Toe River Arts made the decision to try something new. This year, the Blacksmith Exhibition will be hosted in the fall, September 25 – October 30 and curated by Elizabeth Brim. This is an exciting departure from Toe River Arts’ usual Blacksmith Exhibit which is normally open to all blacksmiths. Toe River Arts will return to the original format in 2022.
The exhibit is titled Here and There, Contemporary Sculptural Ironwork. The exhibit will include: Warren Holzman, Philadelphia, PA, Bill Price, Memphis, TN, Hoss Haley, Spruce Pine, NC, Zack Nobel, Asheville, NC, Andrew Meers, Bakersville, NC, Peter Braspeninx, Casnovia, MI, John Winer, Mountain City, TN, Bill Brown, Linville Falls, NC, Rachel David, Waynesville, NC, Maegan Crowley, Dolores, CO, Jim Cooper, Bakersville, NC, Maria Cristalli, CleElum, WA, Megan Martin, Bakersville, NC, Andy Dohner, Bakersville, NC.

Giant Squid Designs | Elissa Peragine
2021-11-06 - 2021-12-18 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Burnsville, 102 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC, 28714, United States
Elissa Peragine will exhibit in the Community 2D Gallery in Burnsville November 6 – December 18, 2021.
“I am a photographer and graphic artist that specializes in surreal art.” – Elissa Peragine
The Burnsville gallery is open Thursday – Saturday, 10:30AM – 5PM.

Fall Studio Tour
2021-11-12 - 2021-11-14
Toe River Arts will host a Fall Studio Tour with both in-person and online elements the second weekend in November, on November 12, 13, and 14, 2021. A Studio Tour Preview Exhibition at the Toe River Arts Spruce Pine gallery will accompany the Tour, on display November 12 through December 31, 2021. These dates are subject to change depending on case counts in the area and guidelines for public gatherings at that time.
Open to Toe River Arts artist members living in Mitchell and Yancey counties, applications will open on the Toe River Arts website at toeriverarts.org/artists/artist-opportunities starting on May 1, 2021 and will be due July 16, 2021.
While the Toe River Arts Studio Tours are typically held the first weekends in June and December, this Studio Tour will allow locals and travelers to safely visit with our artists while also providing online opportunities for guests to engage and support the artists.
For more information, please call 828.765.0524 or email info@toeriverarts.org.

Studio Tour Preview Exhibition
2021-11-12 - 2021-12-31 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
The Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a free, self-guided tour of artists’ studios typically held on the first weekends of June and December in North Carolina’s scenic Mitchell and Yancey counties.The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces.
View the December 2020 Studio Tour Preview Exhibition here.

Arts in Education Showcase | Mitchell County
2022-02-12 - 2022-03-12 | 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 & home schools in Mitchell and Yancey Counties. 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 12 – March 12
Where: Spruce Pine Gallery

Arts in Education Showcase | Yancey County
2022-02-19 - 2022-03-19 | Yancey County Public Library, 321 School Circle, Burnsville, 28714, United States
The Arts in Education Showcase features the artwork of kindergarten through 12th-grade students from public, private & home schools in Mitchell and Yancey Counties. 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 19 – March 19, 2022
Where: Kivette-Herring Gallery, Yancey County Library, 321 School Circle, Burnsville (Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM & Saturday 9AM – 1PM)

2022 Spring Studio Tour Submissions
2022-03-03
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

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 Gift Shop Submissions
2022-03-11
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

Call to Blacksmiths
2022-03-17
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

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)

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

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)

2023 Exhibition Proposals
2022-04-16
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

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)

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

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
2022-06-03 - 2022-06-05
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

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

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)

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
2022-07-18 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)

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

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

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)

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.

36th Annual Music in the Mountains Folk Festival
2022-09-17
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.

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)
