In keeping with the Arts & Crafts philosophy of “Head, Heart and Hand”, each year the National Arts and Crafts Conference and Shows offers individuals who are planning to arrive early to the National Arts & Crafts Conference the opportunity to take a pre-conference workshop. These workshops are hands-on and are designed to give students the chance to make something for you or your home by a trained artisan.

 

 

Space in these workshops is limited and registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay!

Sign-up must be done over the phone to the office of the National Arts and Crafts Conference & Shows at (828) 628-1915 during the office hours of 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM EASTERN.

Please note: nearly all workshops are two half day courses, you must take both parts of the workshops to finish your piece.

 

2026 has a few new projects and even a new instructor.

 

2026 Pre-Conference Workshops

 

LinoBlock Printmaking

with Denise Markbreit of Asheville Printmakers

Thursday, Feb 19th 2:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, Feb 20th 8:00am-11:00am

Price per registrant: $225.00

Please join local printmaker, educator Denise  Markbreit for a two day Linoblock printmaking workshop. She is the founder of Print House (formerly Asheville Print Studio) a working studio and Gallery specializing in all things analog print. We will explore the craft of Linoblock while giving a nod (of course!) to creating images in the Arts & Crafts style. We will get inspiration from vintage style books and contemporary references. You may bring your own image to work with but if you can’t draw, we’ve got you covered! You will learn best practices for carving and printing a small edition of prints that you will be proud to frame. No experience necessary just a willingness to explore and play. All tools and supplies are included in this workshop. We will be working with green environmentally friendly inks and no solvents.

 

 

Coppersmithing: Arts & Crafts Style

with Frank Glapa

Thursday, Feb 19th 2:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, Feb 20th 8:00am-11:00am

Price per registrant: $225.00

This two-part workshop led by Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan Frank Glapa will get you started on the basics of copper repousse techniques. Your materials will be waiting for you as Frank guides you through the process of hammering and shaping your copper “tile” into an incredible piece of Arts & Crafts metalwork. Classic designs will be provided to fit the 4×4 copper tile.

At the end of the workshop, take home your finished copper tile and continue to master your metalworking skills wherever you are! Professional coppersmithing tools are available for purchase at an additional cost. Register today for what promises to be an Arts & Crafts experience of a lifetime!

 

Arts & Crafts Embroidery

with Natalie Richards

Thursday, Feb 19th 2:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, Feb 20th 8:00am-11:00am

Price per registrant: $225.00 (includes take home kit)

Roycroft Master Artisan and instructor, Natalie Richards will lead a two-part workshop on Arts & Crafts embroidery at this year’s National Arts & Crafts Conference. The class will be geared toward not only individuals new to embroidery but attendees that have taken previous embroidery workshops. The class will focus on perfecting prominent stitches present in historic Arts & Crafts textiles. Each participant will receive a kit that includes linen with marked design, amble embroidery thread, photographs, written instructions and illustrated instructions. The different stitches will be demonstrated in class followed by hands-on application with assistance from Natalie.  Attendees will leave with the confidence to complete any embroidery project they select.

 

 

 

*New Project*

Creating A Hand Hammered Set of Bookends

with Ron VanOstrand

Thursday, Feb 19th 2:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, Feb 20th 8:00am-11:00am

Price per registrant: $225.00

 

Let this workshop take you back to the golden age of copper craft. Ron will walk you through the steps of making a set of Hand Hammered copper bookends. Participants can choose from multiple designs, but the Owl design will be the primary demonstraton. Class size is limited to guarantee all students receive the highest level attention. Tools remain property of the instructor but your completed project goes home with you!

Ron VanOstrand is a Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan in metal, and an art teacher with two decades of teaching experience. He has been a seminar presenter on Art Metal techniques twice in recent years at the conference.

All materials are provided and students will leave with at least one completed project. Tools provided remain the property of the instructor.

 

 

 

Exploring Arts & Crafts Colors for Exteriors

with Designer Karen Hovde

Friday, February 20th   –   8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Price per registrant: $125.00

 

Please note: the Conference Events Pass and Grove Park Inn weekend packages do not include registration for any Pre-Conference workshops.  

Due to the high cost incurred by our workshop instructors in providing their time and supplies, cancellation of workshop participation must be done by February 1st to receive a full refund.

In the event that the minimum number of students is not reached for any workshop, refunds will be given in full.

 

 

 

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