Visitors to Virginia will find an abundance of many things and art is no exception. Take home the artists' finest accomplishments - the beauty and grandeur of Virginia's mountains, seascapes, pastures and forests captured in nearly any media of your choice.
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Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia
'Round the Mountain is a 19 county and four city network of southwest Virginia artisan studios, galleries, craft venues, farms, vineyards, and other creative points of interest.
www.roundthemountain.org
Blue Ridge Highlands
Galax and Carroll County - The artistic community of the Harmony Trail has a strong commitment to preserving the functional crafts of mountain living and introducing more contemporary design in the galleries and schools along the trail. From the songs of birds, to the rumble of river rapids, the soft hum of a potters wheel and the lilting tunes of old time music, the Harmony Trail offers you a Blue Ridge Mountain retreat.
Download the brochure and map.
Giles County - The artisans on the Giles Trail have carved, molded, melded, painted and quilted unique and creative art that is found in the quaint hamlets scattered in the mountains and valleys of Giles County. Galleries throughout the area offer artisan gatherings, educational classes, demonstrations and special events. Experiencing life “Giles Style” is to embrace the great outdoors ready for adventure, fun and relaxation all at once.
Download the brochure and map.
Patrick County - Covered bridges, corn mazes and working grist mills invite you to relax in the midst of artisans who weave their hearts into handcrafted quilts, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, woodwork, soaps, and blacksmithing and much more along the Hidden Treasures trail in Patrick County. Music, food, craft shows, art, plays, storytelling highlight the festivals and showcases the talents of Patrick County’s artisans.
Download the brochure and map.
Montgomery County - Make your memory for a lifetime in the eclectic galleries and artisan studios where craft isn't just sold, but happily made before your very eyes. Galleries exhibit work from local artisans and offer classes for new apprentices. Visitors can enjoy the many annual festivals where you can relax with ice cold lavender lemonade, get lost in a corn maze, pick a pumpkin, or just get down to the toe tapping rhythms of bluegrass music.
Download the brochure and map.
Radford and Pulaski County - Directly on the Wilderness Road, sustenance farming required homemade baskets, quilts, weaving, wood turning and soap making. Today visitors are immersed in the heritage and culture of days gone by while transported into contemporary art produced by the creative and talented artisans along the New River Valley Artisan Trail. Quilt shows, gallery exhibits, art center workshops and annual festivals bring artisans together to demonstrate their skills to a new generation.
Download the brochure and map.
Franklin County - The purr of the spinning wheel and the clack of the loom sing of Franklin County’s textile artistry. Amid hardwood forests and a local legacy of furniture making, Franklin County artisans give a new voice to woodworking. In the jewelers’ hands, precious metals and gemstones come together as art and heirlooms. From colorful two dimensional art to the traditional mountain music, this area is sure to please your senses, stir your heart and move your mind.
Download the brochure and map.
Bristol and Washington County - This trail offers up an eclectic collection of galleries and shops featuring traditional and contemporary work from the hands of artisans who live throughout the region. A colorful patchwork of craft opportunities include classes, exhibits, working studios, and galleries devoted to the preservation Appalachian heritage and the infusion of contemporary new world creativity.
Download the brochure and map.
Grayson County - Refresh your spirit along mountain streams and the highest peaks in Virginia on the winding roads of Grayson County. The New River connects the valley from Independence to Galax and provides a muse for the artisans who draw inspiration from their natural surroundings. The artisans invite you to visit their home studios to share their incredible talents. Grayson County is adding to its long farming tradition with new local farmers’ markets.
Download the brochure and map.
Smyth County - When you visit one of the craft festivals, farmers markets, or wineries, you'll see that the artisans of Smyth County are spirited, distinctive and rooted in mountain traditions that come alive through their creative work. Smyth County is home to Mount Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. Smyth County’s rich history and picturesque scenery make it one of Virginia’s must-see places.
Download the brochure and map.
Wythe and Bland Counties - Wine tastings, good food, farmer’s markets and herb gardens greet visitors who plan an indulgent visit to Wythe and Bland Counties. The artisans along this trail take great pride in preserving the traditional arts of the region including quilting, spinning, soap making, weaving, wood carving and chair canning. Through their hands, jams, jellies and sauces are a favorite at County Fairs and local arts festivals. This trail is fun, lively and attractive to active families or those who just want to sit in a rocker on a front porch.
Download the brochure and map.
Floyd County - Truly the largest artisan community in Southwest Virginia, the Floyd Artisan Trail brings you face to face with an eclectic collection of talented artisans who have their feet firmly planted into a community that nurtures creative and inspirational minds. Floyd County’s friendly artisan community opens their doors with special events, festivals and remarkable galleries. Floyd’s enchanting downtown is bursting with specialty shops, and restaurants with a varied fare from organic, and vegetarian to platefuls of simple home cooking.
Download the brochure and map.
Heart of Appalachia
Wise County and Norton - The artisans who live along the Lonesome Pine Artisan Trail draw from a culture steeped in mountain scenery to create masterpieces that reflect their rich heritage. Find beeswax candles, pottery, wooden bowls, handmade musical instruments, local wines and more inside the museums and shops, and throughout the area’s festivals. Many artisans and musicians share their talents at schools, workshops and gatherings throughout the year, including the Mountain Music School at Mountain Empire Community College.
Download the brochure and map.
Russell and Tazewell Counties - You'll find outdoor murals and artistic expressive brick sculpture walls that depict coal mining and the storytelling traditions of Jack Tales. Retrace the footsteps of pioneers from the late 1700s through museum re-enactments. Move your feet to traditional mountain tunes at one of our many festivals. Discover finely carved wood creations, delicately sewn quilts, and brightly colored wool handspun on spinning wheels passed down through generations.
Download the brochure and map.
Scott and Lee Counties - The Wilderness Road Artisan Trail winds its way through Scott and Lee Counties marking heritage artisan studios, craft galleries and resting points. The local farmers market brings you the best the season has to offer and at local farms you can visit a pumpkin patch, and enjoy a hay ride or corn maze. Mountain music at local venues brings folks together to sing, dance and rejoice in the pioneer heritage that thrives in the hollows of along the Trail.
Download the brochure and map.
Dickenson and Buchanan Counties - A unique folk culture developed in these southern Appalachian Mountains from the time the first pioneers moved into the region in the 1700’s and today’s visitors are offered a view into this rich craft tradition of quilting, carving, canning, music and dance. The Rivers to Ridges Artisan Trail will take you to soaring heights where you will discover the plaintive, soulful musical ballads of heroes, heroines, joys and sorrows.
Download the brochure and map.
Other ArtisanTrails
Hampton Roads
Discover the Arts Trail is an exploration of Historic Triangle's 35 visual arts venues and 16 performing arts venues. The annual An Occasion for the Arts outdoor event features more than 160 juried visual artists and multiple performing stages showcasing dance, music, choral and individual artists.
Central Virginia
Nelson and Albemarle Counties - Travel the Monticello Trail and discover the beauty of the mountains and valleys that local artisans call home. A wonderful place to explore with family and friends, it will surely create lasting memories. Our rural countryside and agricultural heritage provide many opportunities for an engaging, authentic experience with local farmers and artisans.
Download the map.
Shenandoah Valley
Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro - From artisans preserving traditional crafts or exploring the limits of modern innovations to world class theatre, reenactments, and festivals activities for all ages and interests abound. Weaving your path amidst the restored architecture of Staunton and Waynesboro’s downtown museums and historical sites, you will enjoy the unique shops, art galleries, studios, markets, restaurants and lodging that make this area a truly memorable experience. View the map.
Alleghany, Bath, Craig, and Highland Counties - Located in the Alleghany Mountains of Virginia, this four county artisan trail region of the Virginia's Western Highlands offers unparalleled recreational opportunities as well as unique Appalachian cultural experiences. Throughout the region, you will find unique handmade arts and crafts and traditional farm markets as you take in the the pristine surroundings or head out to explore the remains of iron mining/smelting sites, former railroad depots, and other historic footprints left behind from the railroad and iron industries of the 19th century.