September 3rd, 2020
Hello Arts and Crafts enthusiasts and conference supporters!
We hope you have all been staying safe and sane during this extended period of uncertainty.
No doubt many of you have been wondering how the combination of North Carolina and Omni Grove Park Inn restrictions will affect our scheduled February 19-21, 2021, 34th National Arts and Crafts Conference and Shows.
In short, we are working on it daily with the intention of having a decision either made – or made for us – in a matter of days.
Governor Roy Cooper has recently issued the regulations for Phase 2.5, which will remain in effect until October 2. Included are the following: (1.) mass gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors; and (2.) hotel restaurants will continue to operate at an indoor capacity of 50%.
As soon as we know how the North Carolina and Omni Grove Park Inn restrictions will affect us, we will announce a decision regarding our National Arts and Crafts Conference.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Also, don't forget: we publish updates through our website
Be safe and healthy out there!
Kate Nixon Registration Manager
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The 34th National
Arts and Crafts
Conference and Shows
The Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC
February 19th - 21st, 2021
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Even after thirty-three years, I still find it hard to believe that the Arts and Crafts Revival is still going as strong as ever.But, when I think about the excitement and the passion that people from across the country bring to the Omni Grove Park Inn each February, it really is not that hard to believe.
Since 1913 the Grove Park Inn has been known as the mecca for Arts and Crafts enthuiasts. And since 1988 the Arts and Crafts Conference has been educating and entertaining Arts and Crafts enthusiasts at every level -- from beginning collectors and bungalow owners to experienced auction and show veterans.When I founded the National Arts and Crafts Conference thirty years ago, I had but one goal, and that has never changed: to provide educational opportunitiues for every attendee, regardless of their level of experience. From seminars and small group discussions to walking tours, demonstrations, and the selling shows themselves, these three unique days in February are designed with you in mind. (Scroll down for Agenda)So, please, take a stroll through the pages on this website, starting with the Daily Agenda (below) and the Slide Show, to get a feel for what we have planned -- and are continuing to plan -- for you. And if you have any questions, just send us an email or give us a call, as Kate and I are here to answer your questions, take your requests, and do everything we can to make this YOUR most important weekend of the year.See you in February!
Bruce Johnson Director
828.628.1915
acconferenceinfo@charter.net
PS. To stay current with Arts and Crafts events across the country, join our email list and read our weekly newsletter:
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Wednesday, February 17th
Pipe & Drape and Table Setup
8:00am - 8:00pm
This is an early arrival day for many of the exhibitors and attendees. If you have never had the opportunity to explore funky downtown Asheville, tour the famous 1895 Biltmore House and Estate, taste our award-winning craft breweries, drive the winding Blue Ridge Parkway, walk our Arts and Crafts neighborhoods, or soak in the world-class Omni Grove Park Inn Spa, you should consider coming early and making this a real vacation.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is again extending a special Arts and Crafts Conference discounted rate of just $136 for unlimited nights before and after the Friday and Saturday nights Weekend Conference Package, so take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to stay at the country's most famous Arts and Crafts resort hotel. See our Lodging page for details.
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Thursday, February 18th
Exhibitor First Setup Session
8:00am - 7:00pm
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With more than 115 exhibitors -- including antiques dealers, contemporary craftsfirms, magazines, non-profits, historic sites, and book publishers -- it takes nearly two days to get every truck and van unloaded and every booth filled to the brim with the best the Arts and Crafts movement has to offer. But by 1:00pm on Friday, they will all be ready for you.
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Pre-Conference Workshops * *
Each year we offer a series of hands-on workshops for those of you who have arrived early. These are limited in size and the classes fill up quickly. Additional information is included in this website.
To register, simply call our office at
(828) 628-1915
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Check back in the Fall of 2020 to see what workshops will be offered for 2021!
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| Coppersmithing attendees and instructor Frank Glapa during the 2019 "Coppersmiting: Arts and Crafts Style" workshop |
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| You can learn how to prepare a woodblock for the printmaking process during Laura Wilder's "Arts and Crafts Printmaking" workshop |
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Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms
The Craftsman Reception
Thanks to the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms for another fantastic event! Check back later in the Fall to see details of next year's Craftsman Reception!
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Friday, February 19th
Exhibitor Final Setup Session
8:00am - 1:00pm
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Pre-Conference Workshops
Continued
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Check back in the Fall of 2020 to see what workshops will be offered for 2021!
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| The Arts and Crafts Printmaking Class shows off their final product. |
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| The 2019 "Coppersmithing: Arts and Crafts Style" class shows off their final product with instructor Frank Glapa |
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While you are enjoying breakfast, attending a hands-on workshop, exploring Asheville, or sitting in on a Small Group Discussion, our exhibitors will be putting the finishing touches on their booths in anticipation of the 1:00pm opening.
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Walking Tours of the Historic
Grove Park Inn
Hourly Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Join a Grove Park Inn historian for an informative 45-minute walking tour that will take you to places you might not have found on your own, and will provide you with fascintaing stories about the famous -- and infamous -- guests, from Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald to presidents from FDR to Obama. A tour not to be missed!
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Walking Tours of the Historic
Biltmore Industries
Friday 10:00 - 11:00am
(Repeats on Saturday and Sunday.)
No, not the 1895 Biltmore House, but the 1905 Biltmore Industries, which George and Edith Vanderbilt supported. Founded in 1905, Biltmore Industries was one of the longest lasting Arts and Crafts cottage industries, making and carving furniture, bowls, bookends, trays, picture frames, and much more. In 1917 the workshops were moved onto the grounds of the Grove Park Inn, where the Arts and Crafts buildings have been restored as a museum, gallery, cafe, and artisan studios. Step back in time on one of these daily one-hour tours.
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Small Group Discussions:
Session #1
Friday 11:00am - Noon
One of the most popular aspects of the conference are our daily Small Group Discussions. Here you will have a chance to select a topic to sit down and discuss with other attendees. No advance registration is necessary. These discussions are lead by volunteer attendees. The final list for each day is still being compiled, so if you have a suggestion, please send us an email.
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All Three Selling Shows Open
Friday 1:00 - 6:00pm
This will be your first opportunity to see and add to your collection some of the finest antiques and new works in the Arts and Crafts style. Our exhibitors save their best pieces for this weekend, so take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity. A complete list of exhibitors is included here.
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Silent Auction: First Session
Friday 1:00 - 6:00pm
Known as the largest and finest Arts and Crafts silent auction, this two-day event serves as a fund-raiser for the non-profit Arts and Crafts Research Fund. Have something to donate for a tax deduction? Call us at (828) 628-1915.
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Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
2:00 - 6:00pm
(Repeat on Saturday and Sunday.)
Peg Morar of Asheville's Peg Morar Studio will reveal the process of tilemaking in her demonstration “The Making of An Arts and Crafts Tile,” bringing her decades of expertise to the conference as she’ll show the basics of tile making, meant for observers of all experience ranges. As an experienced teacher, she creates an easy-to-understand process of tile carving and designing, showing a tile mold in different staging and showing examples of glazed and non-glazed pieces with her standard blue and green glazes.
David Van Epps will return to the Grove Park Inn to teach attendees about mortise and tenon joinery and will bring plenty of examples to show. Known as the strongest joint in woodworking, a mortise and tenon joint connects adjoining two pieces of wood or other material through a mortise hole and a tenon tongue. David’s informal demonstration will be designed for Arts and Crafts woodworkers as well as collectors with furniture that have mortise and tenon joinery.
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Arts and Crafts Book Club Discussion:
Friday 4:30pm - 5:30pm
The Ladies of the Canyons
by Lesley Poling-Kempes
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| Perfect attendees are recognized in the opening remarks of the 2019 National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn |
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Friday 8:00 - 8:15pm
Opening Remarks
by Bruce Johnson
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An Evening with Jane Addams
portrayed by Annette Baldwin
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Saturday,
February 20
Check back in the Fall of 2020 to see who our 2021 speakers will be!
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Noon - 6:00pm
All Three Selling Shows Open
Noon - 6:00pm
Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
(Repeat on Sunday.)
Check back to see who our 2021 demonstrators will be!
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Saturday 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Preservation Society House Tour * *
(Repeats on Sunday.)
The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County is pleased to offer unique historic homes for the February 2020 National Arts & Crafts Conference Home Tour. All homes are located in National Register listed Norwood Park which offers an eclectic mix of houses mostly built between 1912
and the 1930s.
Please see the form included in your Pre-Conference Information Packet to sign up for the tour. You will need to mail the form using the address provided. You can also order tickets online by visiting the website listed below. Visit the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County's website for more information:
1:00 - 6:00pm
Silent Auction: Final Session
Those of you getting off the tour bus of leaving a Small Group Discussions will have time to stop by the Silent Auction to check on your bids -- and your bargains!
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Saturday 3:00 - 4:00pm
Walking Tour of Historic Biltmore Industries.
(Repeats on Sunday.)
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Saturday 3:00 - 4:00pm
Arts and Crafts Book Club Discussion:
Check back later to see what our book club selections will be!
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Saturday 4:30 - 5:30pm
Small Group Discussions: Session Two
This will be a fresh set of topics, so check back later.
Saturday 5:00 - 7:00pm
Check back in the fall of 2020 to see information about our special event with the Asheville Art Museum.
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Sunday, February 21
Check back with us in the Fall of 2020 to find out who our speakers will be!
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11:00am - 4:00pm
All Three Shows Open
For the Final Session
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This IS a selling show and by Sunday you'll see plenty of these SOLD signs. You know the old adage, "He who snoozes, loses." At this show, anyone who hesitates often loses. Sunday of the conference is a hectic day, regardless whether you are in the Antiques Show or the Contemporary Craftsfirms Show, as people realize this is their last opportunity to take advantage of the largest and finest Arts and Crafts show in the country. Our biggest regrets are always those things we didn't buy....
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Sunday 11:00 - 4:00pm
Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
David Van Epps will return to the Grove Park Inn to teach attendees about mortise and tenon joinery and will bring plenty of examples to show. Known as the strongest joint in woodworking, a mortise and tenon joint connects adjoining two pieces of wood or other material through a mortise hole and a tenon tongue. David’s informal demonstration will be designed for Arts and Crafts woodworkers as well as collectors with furniture that have mortise and tenon joinery.
Sunday 12:30 - 1:30pm
Small Group Discussions
This will be a fresh set of topics, so check back later to see what they will be.
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Sunday 12:30 - 5:00pm
Preservation Society House Tour * *
The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County is pleased to offer unique historic homes for the February 2020 National Arts & Crafts Conference Home Tour. All homes are located in National Register listed Norwood Park which offers an eclectic mix of houses mostly built between 1912
and the 1930s.
Please see the form included in your Pre-Conference Information Packet to sign up for the tour. You will need to mail the form using the address provided. You can also order tickets online by visiting the website listed below. Visit the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County's website for more information:
https://psabc.org/arts-crafts-home-tour/
Walking Tour of the Historic
Biltmore Industries
Sunday 1:00 - 2:00pm
4:00pm
34th National Arts and Crafts Conference closes.
Sign up for the February 2022 35th National Arts and Crafts Conference starts in early January of 2021. Check back here for the specific day when you can reserve your favorite room!
* * **The Conference Events Pass/Grove Park Inn Weekend package DO NOT include admission for the following events: the Craftsman Farms Kickoff Party, the Art Museum event, & the Historic House tours. These events are all fundraisers for non-profit organizations. Additionally, the Conference Events Pass does not include registration for any Pre-Conference workshops. For additional information regarding the workshops, please see the Pre-Conference Workshop page.
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