2027 National Arts and Crafts Conference Schedule
January 6th – 7th, 2027
Exhibitor Registration
Please note: The 8th floor of the Vanderbilt wing will be taken over by tables, display cases, pegboards and staff preparing booth spaces for exhibitor move-in day on Thursday.
A number of setup suppliers and conference staff will be loading and preparing the space both inside and outside the Grand Ballroom, so unless you are an exhibitor or a helper needing to check in, please avoid the 8th floor space.
Thursday, January 7th
Exhibitor Setup Day, Pre-Conference Workshops and the Craftsman Reception!
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Exhibitor setup starts on the 8th and 10th floor of Vanderbilt — in the Grand Ballroom and the surrounding hallways. Unless you are a show dealer, artisan or organization, please avoid these busy areas.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Pre-Conference Workshops Part 1
- Lineoleum Block Printmaking with Denise Markbreit
- Arts & Crafts Embroidery with Natalie Richards
- Set of Hand Hammered napkin rings with Ron VanOstrand
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – The Craftsman Reception: A Fundraiser Celebration for the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms
The Skyline Room, Sammons Wing
More information to come!
Friday, January 8th
Exhibitor Final Setup Session
8:00am – 12:30pm
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.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP: Session 2
Session #2 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Lineoleum Block Printmaking with Denise Markbreit
- Arts & Crafts Embroidery with Natalie Richards
- Set of Hand Hammered Napkin rings with Ron Van Ostrand
Walking Tours of the Historic Grove Park Inn
Hourly Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Join an experienced guide 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!
Open to all conference attendees.
Walking Tours of the Historic Biltmore Industries
10:00 – 11:00am
(Once a day, repeats on Saturday and Sunday.)
Hear the story about the 1905 Biltmore Industries, which George and Edith Vanderbilt (of the Biltmore Estate) 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.
Small Group Discussions: Session #1
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 40th National Arts and Crafts Shows Open
1:00pm – 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 live list of exhibitors is included here.
Photo by Ray Stubblebine/GMHS, 2019.
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. The ACRF funds research trips and expenses associated with new studies on the movement and its revival. Have something to donate for a tax deduction? Contact us using this form.
Free Drawing
Prize to be announced soon.
Friday 1:00 – 6:00pm
Write your name and email on an index card for a chance to win this lamp, donated by Old California Lighting.
The free drawing table will be located outside the Taft Room, where the demonstrations will be located.
Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
Building Honest Arts & Crafts Furniture with David Van Epps
2:30pm & 4:00pm
What goes into the building of contemporary Arts & Crafts furniture? Is the process the same as it would have been more than 100 years ago? What are the similarities to the work of the last-century furniture makers and what changes has the passage of time brought to the current production of the still popular and much appreciated Arts & Crafts line? Each presentation—at the times indicated below—will provide insights into the comparisons suggested by these questions.
Ceramics with Julie Calhoun-Roepnack
2:00pm & 3:30pm – Construction of Slab Vases
Conference Book Club Discussion
Friday 4:30pm – 5:30pm
“Craft: An American History”
On the heels of our country’s 250th celebration, we remember the American Arts and Crafts Movement as pivotal to socio-economic policy at the turn of the Early 20th Century. In Craft, Author Glenn Adamson reveals the artists – well-known and unknown – that have shaped American identity and connects to the current day “Maker’s Movement” and shows the importance of craft in debates around equality, education, and class status. Through our discussion, we’ll not only gain insights as to how the Arts and Crafts movement changed the way Early 20th Century Americans lived, but an appreciation for Craft as a whole representing who we were and who we are as a nation.
Opening Night Friday Seminars
The Heritage Ballroom, Sammons Wing of the Grove Park Inn
8:00pm – 8:10pm: Opening remarks from National Arts & Crafts Director Kate Nixon
8:10pm – 9:00pm
TBD
9:00pm – 9:50pm
TBD
Saturday, January 9th
SATURDAY SEMINARS
The Heritage Ballroom, Sammons Wing of the Grove Park Inn
9:00am – 9:50am
TBD
10:00am – 10:50am
TBD
Day 2 of the National Arts and Crafts Shows
Saturday, February 21st
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Silent Auction: Second and Final Session
Saturday 12:00pm – 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? See the ACRF page.
Free Drawing
Prize to be announced soon.
Friday 1:00 – 6:00pm
Write your name and email on an index card for a chance to win the prize.
The free drawing table will be located outside the Taft Room, where the demonstrations will be located.
Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
Building Honest Arts & Crafts Furniture with David Van Epps
1:30pm & 4:00pm
What goes into the building of contemporary Arts & Crafts furniture? Is the process the same as it would have been more than 100 years ago? What are the similarities to the work of the last-century furniture makers and what changes has the passage of time brought to the current production of the still popular and much appreciated Arts & Crafts line? Each presentation—at the times indicated below—will provide insights into the comparisons suggested by these questions.
Pottery Techniques with Julie Calhoun-Roepnack
2:00pm & 3:30pm
Cut Out Shapes for Orchid Pots
Conference Book Club Discussion
Saturday 2:00 – 3:00pm
“Clara and Mr. Tiffany”
This year, the book club is bringing back a much-loved book selection that offers a vivid window into Louis Comfort Tiffany’s role in the Arts and Crafts movement and the innovation of the uncredited women whose artistry shaped many of Tiffany’s iconic lamps. Clara and Mr. Tiffany by author Susan Vreeland not only celebrates Tiffany’s genius, but portrays the electric energy of turn‑of‑the‑century New York, the thrill of artistic discovery, and the quiet battles fought by women through the eyes of main character (and real historic figure) Clara Driscoll.
Special Program with the Asheville Art Museum
To be Determined.
We will announce the topic soon.
Walking Tours of the Historic Biltmore Industries
Saturday 3:00pm – 4:00pm
(Repeats Sunday.)
Founded in 1905 and supported by George and Edith Vanderbilt, Biltmore Industries was one of the longest lasting Arts and Crafts cottage industries, making and carving furniture, bowls, bookends, trays, picture frames, and 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.
Small Group Discussions: Session #2
Saturday 4:30pm – 5:30pm
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. Come ready to listen and to ask questions.
Saturday Evening With The Met
The Heritage Ballroom, Sammons Wing
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday evening, we’ll celebrate one of the famous collections of Decorative Art in the world: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Among the collections in the American Wing are an iconic art pottery collection (with important works from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. and Martin Eidelberg collections) and works in a brand new exhibit at the Met on view now — Cottage Industry: The Val-Kill Furniture Shop, which looks at the venture established by Eleanor Roosevelt and activists Nancy Cook and her life partner, Marion Dickerman, along with Caroline O’Day. The exhibit currently features rare examples of Val-Kill furniture alongside conceptual designs and templates that illuminate the workshop’s creative process and collaborative spirit.
Curators of the Met’s American Wing Alyce Englund and Adrienne Spinozzi will join us and show us gorgeous examples of Arts & Crafts works – featured at one of the most famous collections in the country.
Sunday, January 10th
SUNDAY SEMINARS
The Heritage Ballroom, Sammons Wing of the Grove Park Inn
9:00am – 9:50am
TBD
10:00am – 10:50am
TBD
All Three Selling Shows Open For Final Day
Sunday 11:00om – 4:00pm
Our annual Arts & Crafts Shows will have its final day on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Once again, don’t miss this 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.
Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
Building Arts & Crafts Furniture with David Van Epps
12:30 pm & 2:00 pm
What goes into the building of contemporary Arts & Crafts furniture? Is the process the same as it would have been more than 100 years ago? What are the similarities to the work of the last-century furniture makers and what changes has the passage of time brought to the current production of the still popular and much appreciated Arts & Crafts line? Each presentation—at the times indicated below—will provide insights into the comparisons suggested by these questions.
Ceramic Techniques with Julie Calhoun-Roepnack
1:00pm & 2:30pm
Glazing tiles
Small Group Discussions: Session #3
Sunday 12:30pm – 1:30pm
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.
Small Group Discussions are still being organized.
Walking Tours of the Historic Biltmore Industries
Sunday 1:00pm – 2:00pm
No, not the 1895 Biltmore House, but the 1905 Biltmore Industries on the grounds of the Grove Park Inn, 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.
4:00 pm – The National Arts & Crafts Shows draw to a close…
Sign up for the February 2026 conference if you have a favorite room! You can make reservations over the phone or with the Grove Park Inn staff while you’re here! In the meantime, our shows will immediately close at 4:00pm and exhibitors will begin the long process of teardown, so it’s important that all customers vacate the halls by 4:00 pm. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.