Roadtrip to Haywood's Open House

On Friday several SHCG staff from the Folk Art Center took a road trip to the Open House for Haywood Community College's new Professional Arts & Crafts Instructional Facility. We have been following the progress of the construction and were so excited to see the new studios. Hundreds of people were in attendance - community members, former students and faculty, and friends of WNC craft.

The facility is amazing! Each studio was carefully planned to not only offer more space, but better space, from lighting to workstations. In their former studios Haywood's Professional Crafts Department fostered some of the most talented artists working in western North Carolina and in the country. With the new school Haywood's reputation as a premier craft school will grow and be an asset to artists as well as Haywood County and WNC. In addition to professional studies, the building was also constructed with the community in mind so that people will have a wonderful place to taking continuing education classes.

While seeing the new studios was our main goal in attending the Open House we were also excited to see many friends along the way. Haywood is an educational center member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and many graduates of the Professional Crafts Department go on to become members of the Guild. Current faculty members: Terry Gess (Creative Arts Department Chair), Brian Wurst (Wood), Robert Blanton (Jewelry), Amy Putansu (Fiber), and Steve Lloyd (Clay) are also members of the Guild.

We look forward to seeing the wonderful talent of the first graduating class in the new facility as the Folk Art Center hosts the Haywood Graduate Show in the Main Gallery April 27 - June 23.

Learn more Haywood Community College's Professional Crafts Department.

Learn more about the HCC Graduate Show at the Folk Art Center.