Said to have the highest per capita ratio of artisans in the United States, North Carolina's Yancey County has a rich cultural heritage rooted in the production of arts and crafts. Yancey Arts is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and promote the numerous talented artisans that call Yancey County home.
Stemming from the essential need and use of goods (bowls, furniture, etc), craft production is a heritage that spans centuries. Today, it is viewed with uniqueness and elegance, but its core element remains in place; product.
With such a prosperous craft tradition within its borders, Yancey Arts seeks to unite the broad array of crafts-people in an organization that helps promote the arts to potential buyers. To fill a home with craft heritage from the Blue Ridge Mountains through Yancey Arts not only gives homeowners the opportunity to transmit their personality into a home, but helps continue the tradition of handcrafting items for domestic uses.
Yancey Arts is also involved with craft-oriented business incubation. Two such businesses have been created thus far: Yancey Crafted Tile, a handmade tile company; and Yancey Crafted Media Productions, a local recording studio which creates dynamic storytelling originals.
Yancey Arts is housed in the historical landmark known as the "Old Brown Dorm," where artists can rent studio space and can be seen painting, sculpting and sewing. A large space on the ground level is reserved for a multi-use recording sutdio for musicians and storytellers and a retail space is open to the public.
The Yancey County Cultural Resources Commission (CRC) initiated the 501c3 Yancey Arts and is involved in a comprehensive economic development strategy aimed at progessing cultural industry.
Please take time and browse through the art media to the left and enjoy the beautiful creations produced by the imagination of Yancey County's wonderful artists.