Craft, Architecture and Design Program
The Craft, Architecture and Design program connects craft artists who produce custom architectural elements and home furnishings with design and building professionals.
The program develops studies, marketing strategies, asset research, and hosts special events to produce more commissions for local craft artists, within the fields of design.
The program has taken innovative strides with the publication of printed and online resources, including A HandMade in America Sourcebook: Handcrafted Architectural Elements, the On-line Handcrafted Design Source and printed Sourcebook of Handcrafted Home Furnishings and Design Element.
Most recently released is the HandMade in America Toolkit, which functions as a How-to Guide for builders, craft artists and clients to use as they begin a project using local craft.
In 2004 HandMade collaborated with Mountain Housing Opportunities and River District artists to create the Finely Crafted Affordable Home in the Clingman Avenue/WestEnd neighborhood in Asheville.
In 2008 the program collaborated with Biltmore Farms to involve artists in the early design stages of the HandMade House at the Ramble. The HandMade House included 117 participating artists and served as an interactive, year-long workshop for architects, designers, and craft artists.
On June 25 & 26, 2010 the program presented HandMade: The Western North Carolina Craft, Architecture & Design Expo. The event was a huge success! Check out the website for more details!
Partner Support
- The North Carolina Rural Center
- The Golden LEAF Foundation
- The Ford Foundation
- The Asheville Merchants Fund at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
- The North Carolina Arts Council
- The Beattie Foundation
- The Windgate Charitable Foundation
Staff Contact
- Gwynne Rukenbrod, Executive Director, 828-252-0121, ext. 308. grukenbrod@handmadeinamerica.org