This website is still being updated for information on the 2026 National Arts and Crafts Conference.

Please stay tuned for more information.

The ACRF Silent Auction to donate money to Asheville and the Los Angeles Red Cross

In the wake of the dual disasters which have devastated thousands of lives in North Carolina and in California, the advisory board for the non-profit Arts and Crafts Research Fund has decided to donate a portion of the Silent Auction proceeds raised at this February’s Arts and Crafts Conference to two certified relief agencies.

As Bruce Johnson, the ACRF director, has announced, “The first five thousand dollars raised at the Silent Auction will be donated to The Village, an assemblage of donated campers, placed on a church property near an Asheville high school, for families with students who lost their homes to Hurricane Helene. “With your support, a second five thousand dollars will be donated to the Red Cross in Los Angeles to assist families whose lives have been forever altered by the terrible wildfires.”

Bruce and Leigh Ann Johnson have also announced that they will match the amounts raised and contributed to the relief efforts through the ACRF.

Anyone wishing to donate an item to the Silent Auction or to make a tax-deductible cash contribution to the ACRF can simply contact Bruce Johnson at Bruce1915@gmail.com.

Getting here

Among the top questions I get for 2025 is: How do I get to the Grove Park Inn since the I-40 gorge is closed? Given the condition of the roads in Asheville, most roads have reopened, know that I-26 has completely reopened for transportation into Asheville. The plan for two-lane traffic on the I-40 gorge HAS BEEN DELAYED, so as of January, it is recommended to use I-26 to get to Asheville safely. For traveling by car into Asheville, please use the following detours:

• From the northwest: I-81 to U.S. 70 to I-26
• From the southwest: I-85 to U.S. 25 to I-26
• From the south: Take U.S. 74 Alt to U.S. 74 East toward Shelby and connect with I-85 to Charlotte

People report anywhere from a 30 minute to an hour delay with the detours. However, with the increased security, construction, and risk at the I-40 gorge, it is well worth it to get to Asheville safely for the conference.

In the meantime, please continue to read the book club selections for the book club discussion sessions: What The Mountains Remember and The Art of Seeing Things: Essays by John Burroughs.

Lastly, signups for the Pre-Conference Workshop signups are underway! I am taking signups for the workshops at my office Monday through Friday 10:00AM – 5:30 PM Eastern time.

A Slideshow of the National Arts and Crafts Conference and Shows

Never been to the Grove Park Inn?

The historic Grove Park Inn, now owned by Omni, is a perfect Arts & Crafts destination. Its interiors a tribute to the Arts and Crafts era of design, this Asheville historic hotel attracted the affluent and middle class of the early 20th Century with its reputation as a house of healing and comfort amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains. This tradition continues today as its one of a kind subterranean spa, its gorgeous sunset terrace views, and comforting natural interiors attracts visitors from all over, including many U.S. Presidents.

See the videos above for special virtual tours of the shows. Bruce is your guide (along with our trusty cameraman Bill) as he walks through the 8th floor of the Vanderbilt Wing, presenting the 2022 Antiques and Contemporary Craftsfirms Shows.

If you’d like to hear a special presentation by Bruce on the Antiques of the Grove Park Inn, watch this video below.

The Antiques of

The Grove Park Inn

by National Arts & Crafts Conference Founder Bruce Johnson

A special session offered as part of Arts & Crafts In August

Meanwhile, please add yourself to our free weekly newsletter at www.ArtsAndCraftsCollector.com, for we also make major conference announcements there as well.

Many thanks!

Bruce Johnson, Director Emeritus

Kate Nixon, Director of the National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn and Arts & Crafts In August

Office phone: (828) 628-1915

acconferenceinfo@charter.net