People committed to Western North Carolina’s rich craft heritage can help create a new craft trail across our mountains. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area seeks ideas and suggestions to develop the Blue Ridge Craft Trails over the next few years.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s latest trail initiative will encourage cultural tourism and strengthen rural economies by promoting the region’s many craft artists, craft schools, local arts businesses and venues. The online project promises to link traditional and contemporary artisans with more visitors to studios and galleries.

Seven listening sessions have been scheduled across the region. Craft artists, gallery owners, arts groups, businesses and anyone interested are invited to attend and offer their comments. Meetings will be held 2-4 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

• July 13 – Blowing Rock Art & History Museum; Blowing Rock
• July 18 – Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee
• August 1 – Tryon Arts & Crafts, Tryon
• August 3 – Yadkin Valley Cultural Arts Center, Yadkinville
• August 8- John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown
• August 24- Penland School of Crafts, Penland
• August 31 – Southern Highland Craft Guild, Folk Art Center, Asheville

“We envision the Blue Ridge Craft Trails of Western North Carolina as an online roadmap to guide visitors through our rich craft heritage and connect personally with artisans in our mountain communities,” said Angie Chandler, executive director of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

“We’re building on the pioneering work of HandMade In America in the 1990s, which started the original Craft Heritage Trails of WNC. We want to update that guide for the Internet age and provide new opportunities for the next generation of crafters, collectors and visitors,” Chandler said.

The professional craft industry generates more than $206 million in annual business across 25 Western North Carolina counties, according to a 2008 economic study.

The Blue Ridge Craft Trails project is funded with a $90,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and contributions from the North Carolina Arts Council andWNC Community Foundation.

To register for specific meetings, go to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area website at www.blueridgeheritage.com and click on the link on the homepage or call Amy Hollifield at 298-5330, ext. 303.

Submitted by Dale Neal