Celebrate the art of craft this summer as the Southern Highland Craft Guild hosts two annual events.

Clay Day takes place at the Folk Art Center in June, and the highly anticipated Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be held at the U.S. Cellular Center in July.

Clay Day at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center is on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and adults. Admission is free. Some activities like the “make and take raku firing” require a small materials fee. Glassblowing has been added to the event, so join us for a full and inspiring day of craft education.

Since 1948 the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands has set the standard for fine craft shows across the country as juried artists gather in downtown Asheville to connect with collectors and educate visitors about their work. The summer edition this year will be held July 17-20 at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Nearly 200 craftspeople will be selling their works of clay, jewelry, wood, glass, fiber, paper, natural materials, and mixed media.

New Guild members exhibiting this year include Kim Thompson (jewelry), Catherine Murphy (metal), Matt Kelleher (clay), Erin Janow (clay), Ursula Goebels-Ellis (clay), Robin Ford (fiber), Linda Azar (jewelry).

Invited artists will be demonstrating craft techniques such as heritage lace and crochet, random weave basket making, woodcarving, blacksmithing, and sunprinting on fabric. Beginning on Friday during the show regional old time and bluegrass musicians take the arena stage. This year’s lineup includes: Southern Crescent Bluegrass, Carol Rifkin, Split Rail, Buncombe Turnpike, and Moore Brothers.

Admission to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is $8. The hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call (828) 298-7928 or visit www.craftguild.org for more information, including a complete list of exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and scheduled music.