February 2026 Roundup: Sparks Fly

​As the weather shifts from cold to warm and back again, ArtsvilleUSA shines a light on the beauty that thrives in connection, community, and creative expression. Our first virtual exhibition of the year, Liminal Light: Winter’s Vigil, features 11 Western North Carolina artists whose work brightens winter’s quiet by radiating warmth, both literally and metaphorically, and the promise of what’s ahead.

This spirit of creative possibility continues in our conversation with Weaverville’s ArtFolk, where we learn that being an artist isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation. From playful collage sessions to community murals, ArtFolk celebrates the joy of making and the importance of spaces that embrace every voice. Their work reminds us that creativity isn’t just a finished piece or final product, but something we share together.

And finally, our editor extraordinaire, Morgan Laurens, invites you on a date-night adventure across WNC, exploring events and destinations where you can enjoy quality time with a new medium and the person you love.

Together, these stories celebrate the Valentine’s season, helping us to connect through creativity, believe in brighter days ahead, and stay rooted in community. It’s a testament to the power of craft to give each of us a place to flourish.

Artfully yours,

Crafty Date Night Ideas for Valentine's in the Blue Ridge Mountains

In Western North Carolina, Valentine’s Day slipped quietly past the usual dinner reservations and bouquets, finding its way instead into clay-splattered studios and along the muddy banks of bird-filled trails. This year, friends and couples gathered around pottery wheels, painted folk designs on eggs, and wandered through the woods, binoculars in hand. For those who joined in, love looked less like a grand gesture and more like the hush that falls when a cardinal lands nearby.

Read the story here.

This Crafting Collective Says Your 'Bad Art' Is Actually Perfect

If you’ve ever hesitated at the edge of a blank page, convinced you’re not an artist, the folks at ArtFolk would likely hand you a glue stick and invite you to make a mess. At their Weaverville gatherings, perfection is left at the door. Here, torn paper and bits of broken jewelry become the starting point for something unexpected: a collage, a conversation, maybe even a new friendship. In this month’s podcast episode, ArtFolk founders Kelly Reese and Jennifer Jacey talk about how letting go of the need to get it right is often where the real magic begins.

Listen to the conversation here.

‘Liminal Light: Winter's Vigil’ Exhibition

In February, as winter lingers in Western North Carolina, artists gather their materials—glass, metal, clay—and coax light from the season’s gray edges. ArtsvilleUSA’s winter exhibition, Liminal Light, is filled with goblets that catch the sun, lamps that cast a gentle glow, and jewelry that seems to hold warmth against the skin. Each piece is a quiet insistence that even in the coldest months, creativity finds a way to shine through.

View the exhibition here.

‘Liminal Light’: 11 WNC Artists Brighten Winter With Dazzling Craft Show

Meet the makers behind Liminal Light, eleven artists from across the region who shape glass, weave baskets, and wire lamps, their hands moving steadily through the short days. Their work doesn’t just brighten a room; it carries the memory of long afternoons in the studio, the stillness of snow outside, and the slow return of light. In each piece, you can feel the persistence of warmth, even as winter holds on.

Learn more about the artists here.

News + Notes From Asheville and Beyond

Here’s where we share quick craft bites for busy hands and hungry minds. March comes in like a lion this year, but warmer days will shake winter blues as our lineup of handpicked events unfolds.

Exhibitions

Liminal Light: Winter’s Vigil Online Exhibition: ArtsvilleUSA’s latest online exhibition features works by 11 Western North Carolina craft artists exploring the persistence of light and warmth. Open online indefinitely; view Liminal Light here.

ArtFolk Community Mural Closing: Feb. 25 is the final day to view the ArtFolk community mural at the ArtsvilleUSA gallery located inside the Ferguson Family YMCA.

Patchesss: 100-Foot Fabric Snake Exhibition: The community-crafted Patchesss (pictured above), a 100-foot fabric snake, is on view at the ArtsvilleUSA gallery inside the Ferguson Family YMCA in Candler through March and April. Created by locals at ReMix It’s recent fundraiser, Patchesss celebrates sustainability and marks the opening of Asheville’s first creative reuse center.

Pink Dog Mardi Gras: Lovers, Sinners & Misfits: 28 artists interpret Mardi Gras traditions in this exhibition at Pink Dog Creative, opening March 6. Learn more here.

We Still Make Things: 100 Years of Craft: The Folk Art Center hosts an exhibition honoring a century of craft education at the John C. Campbell Folk School, featuring works by students and instructors. On view through April 29. More info here.

Events

Hunter Gatherer: David Ricci Artist Talk: Photographer David Ricci discusses his new photobook at Pack Memorial Library Auditorium, March 4, 2026, 5:30–6:30 pm. More details here.

Art Exploration for Adults: Collage Workshop. ArtFolk offers a free beginner collage workshop at Weaverville Library on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ages 12+ welcome; space is limited, call the Weaverville Library (828-250-6482) to register.

Asheville Maker Faire: The Asheville Maker Faire takes place on April 18 at the A-B Tech Conference Center and features creative projects and hands-on activities with ReMix It. Learn more about the Maker Faire here.

Opportunities

Job Opening: Creative Reuse Specialist: ReMix It seeks a Creative Reuse Specialist for retail, donations, and workshops. Apply by March 1, 2026, here.

Job Opening: Data Specialist: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is hiring a data specialist. Apply by March 6, 2026; more information here

Call for Sculptors: Rosen Sculpture Competition: The 2026 Rosen Sculpture Competition is accepting entries for outdoor installations. Deadline: March 6, 2026. Cash prizes awarded; winners announced in July. View the prospectus here.

Call for Vendors: Appalachian True Heritage Festival: The festival seeks vendors and heritage demonstrators for April 18, 2026, in Waynesville. Apply here.

​Special Thanks to Our Partners

All images published with permission of the artist(s). Featured image/graphic: Pamella O’Connor.