A Guide to November’s Can’t-Miss WNC Craft Events
Explore the best November creative happenings, including juried work at the Folk Art Center and a printmaking workshop at the Asheville Art Museum.
With jack-o’-lanterns packed away and a trio of holidays on the horizon, November in Western North Carolina is anything but sleepy. The calendar is bursting with exhibitions, block parties, and an annual gingerbread championship, offering plenty of reasons to step out and soak up the last golden rays before winter settles into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Throw on your coziest sweater and get ready to explore our hand-picked list of regional events this month.
Southern Highland Craft Guild New Members Exhibition
(l-r) ‘Blooming Vines’ by Sharon Green; ‘Bunny Bowl’ by Dalleen McClasky; ‘Elm Spoon' by Aaron Iaquinto
The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s New Members Exhibition is on view at the Folk Art Center in Asheville through January 20, 2027. The show features work from 39 newly juried Guild members, representing a range of traditional and contemporary Appalachian craft. For those unable to attend in person, ArtsvilleUSA’s PAVE (Partner Archival Virtual Exhibitions) program offers a digital showcase and permanent archive of the exhibition at ArtsvilleUSA.com.
See the virtual exhibition here.
First Friday on The Block at Noir Collective AVL
(l-r) Noir Collective founder alexandria monque ravenel; Noir storefront; repurposed fabric dolls by Noir Collective artist Jenny Pickens; photo: Asheville Elevated Photography
On Friday, November 6, Noir Collective AVL hosts its monthly First Friday gathering from 5 to 9 p.m. in Asheville’s historic Black district, The Block. Founded by mother-daughter team alexandria monque and Ajax Ravenel, Noir Collective AVL is a hybrid boutique, gallery, and bookstore dedicated to uplifting Black artists, activists, and entrepreneurs in the Asheville area. The evening’s Black Creator Highlight features local artists, makers, and performers, while the Artist Network segment provides a communal space to collaborate and share ideas. “This is an opportunity for us to make [The Block] a welcoming space for everyone, particularly the local Black community,” says alexandria.
Learn more about Noir Collective AVL’s First Fridays here.
North Carolina Glass Center Pumpkin Patch
(l-r) 'Pumpkin' by Ben Greene-Colonnese; 'Ghost Tea Light' by Max Trainique; 'Large Pumpkin' by Hayden Wilson.
Still deciding how to decorate your Thanksgiving table or pick the perfect host gift for your holiday travels? Catch the tail end of the North Carolina Glass Center’s annual pumpkin patch, running through November 9 at both its Asheville and Black Mountain galleries. The event features hundreds of hand-blown glass pumpkins, ghost tea lights, and mosaic kits by local artists. Shoppers can also order online with $10 flat-rate shipping. Make this “pumpkin pandemonium” part of your fall tradition with pumpkins that will last beyond the season.
Shop the pumpkin patch here, or check out work by featured artists like Robert Burch here.
RADfest 3.0
RADfest 1.0 (l-r): hand-blown wares by Asher Holman of Small Batch Glass; ‘Soul Survivors’ by Cassie Butcher; fashion illustrator Carlos Marrero models his signature Blue Ridge scarf; photos: Michael Freas Photography.
RADfest returns for its third year on November 14–15, bringing two days of art, music, and culture to Asheville’s River Arts District. Launched in 2024 after Hurricane Helene, the festival began as a testament to the district’s resilience and a rallying point for artists and the community. This year’s event features open studios, gallery exhibitions, and work from more than 350 local artists, along with expanded live music, performances, and culinary offerings. RADfest 2026 also marks the closing of A Tale of Two Cities, a nationally recognized exhibition exploring climate disaster through the eyes of artists from Asheville, WNC, and New Orleans. The exhibition remains available for virtual viewing through ArtsvilleUSA.com, the program’s digital exhibition partner.
Learn more about this year’s RADfest here, or read about the first RADfest here.
The 2026 National Gingerbread House Competition
2025 winners (l-r): ‘The Birch Mouse Burrow’ by Heather Nadeau, Second Place, Adult; ‘Wassail Break’ by Michael Villella, Third Place, Adult; ‘Muddlefoot’s Mushroom Madness’ by Bailey Nadeau, First Place, Youth; photos: Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
The 2026 National Gingerbread House Competition returns to The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa this November, inviting bakers of all ages to compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. New to this year’s judging panel are acclaimed pastry chef Sasha Aleksandra Nary and celebrated cookie artist Rabiha Sami, both bringing international expertise to the event. Applications are currently open, with entry forms due by November 9 and judging scheduled for November 16. All gingerbread creations will be on public display at the inn following the competition.
Learn more about this year’s competition here, or see last year’s winners here.
Letterpress Demo With Jessica C. White
‘Blue Ford Bronco’ by Jessica C. White
On November 21, 2026, the Asheville Art Museum will host a letterpress demonstration with Jessica White, founder of Asheville Zine Fest, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can print their own keepsakes using vintage letterpresses and handmade paper. Jessica, a studio artist and professor, has exhibited nationally and is widely recognized for her intimate, autobiographical zines. The event offers a hands-on introduction to traditional printmaking with one of the region’s leading creative voices.
Learn more about the event here.
All images published with permission of the artist(s); featured image: Michael Freas Photography.