August 2026 Roundup: Back to (Craft) School

​This back-to-school season feels especially sweet as my oldest starts kindergarten. I'm fine (😭😭😭) and using the moment to explore my own curiosity and see what our arts community has to teach us. While my five-year-old wants to know the difference between a reptile and an amphibian (apparently, it's whether they lay eggs on land or in water), we turned to local experts for step-by-step guidance on photographing and framing 3D art. Many area artists rely on fall shows and festivals for most of their annual income, and we hope these resources help support y’all and your buyers!

This month, we also sat down with a brilliant community leader who connects teens in Yancey and surrounding counties with master artisans, teaching hands-on skills and creating opportunities for both teachers and newcomers to grow their arts businesses.

Now, we're busy behind the scenes planning our largest fundraiser of the year, which will feature a workshop on barn quilt squares and highlight what ArtsvilleUSA is doing to preserve that history. Click here to send us your email and let us know if you’d like to join us in making a difference.

​How to Photograph 3D Art Like a Pro

Learn how to stage, light, and shoot your 3D art with product photographer John Kepchar’s practical, step-by-step guide for artists and makers.

Find John’s expert DIY photography advice here.

A Crash Course on Framing 3D Artwork

A maker’s guide to framing 3D artwork, featuring expert advice from Sean Robbins of Frame It to a T and Jennifer Pearson of Frugal Framer in WNC.

Read Sean and Jennifer’s best tips on 3D framing here.

Appalachian Craft is Becoming a Career Path for Rural Teens in WNC

Through mentorship with local artisans, THRIVE Appalachia equips Western North Carolina teens with practical skills rooted in the region’s rich craft legacy.

Listen to our conversation with Executive Director Pana Columbus here.

News + Notes From Asheville and Beyond

Here’s where we share quick bites for busy hands and hungry minds. This month: Haywood County artists welcome visitors for a behind-the-scenes look, plein-air painters capture mountain vistas in Blowing Rock, and Asheville Zine Fest returns to Battery Park.

Exhibitions

• Body of Work | Opens September 2 | ArtsvilleUSA Digital Magazine
  ArtsvilleUSA’s fall exhibition, Body of Work, explores the joys and burdens of the corporeal body, reflecting on what slips away and exalting what endures. Curated by Elise Wilson, the show features evocative works that blur boundaries between presence and absence, beauty and dissolution. More information about our upcoming exhibitions here.
• Spencer Beals’ Batland | Ongoing | Ferguson Family YMCA
  This month’s podcast guest, Spencer Beals, presents recent work at ArtsvilleUSA’s YMCA gallery, including a detailed map of “Batland,” his guerrilla installation of over 40 painted wooden bats throughout the UNC Asheville woods. On view now.

Events

• Grovewood Gallery Biannual Studio Tour | September 12–13, 2026 | Grovewood Village
  This free, self-guided tour invites visitors to step inside the working studios of Grovewood Village artists. Guests can watch demonstrations, view recent artwork, and enjoy a 10% discount on gallery purchases, with complimentary refreshments. More information here.
• Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival | September 15–19, 2026 | Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
  Artists from across the country gather in Blowing Rock for four days of outdoor painting in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. The festival concludes with a public Show & Sale on September 19, showcasing original plein air works for viewing and purchase. More information here.
• Asheville Zine Fest | September 26, 2026, 12–5 pm | Battery Park Hall
  The Asheville Zine Fest celebrates independent publishing with a day of regional and national vendors, educational activities, and social events. Attendees can browse zines, comics, artist books, and small press works. More information here.
• Haywood County Studio Tour | September 19–September 20| Haywood County
  Artists across Haywood County open their studios for a free, self-guided tour, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Expect live demonstrations, diverse artwork for sale, and the chance to meet makers in both urban and rural settings. More information here.
• McDowell Arts Council Association Fundraiser: Soup & A Bowl | September 26 | Marion Train Depot
  This annual fundraiser benefits the McDowell Arts Council Association with a soup lunch, dessert, and a keepsake handmade bowl. Tickets are $50 and support arts programming and education in the local community. Find more information here or buy tickets here.

Special Thanks to Our Partners

All images published with permission of the artist(s). Featured image/graphic: Frugal Framer.