Find Your Own Work of Art in Mitchell County

In Mitchell County, art isn’t something you simply look at—it’s something you can take home with you. From handmade pottery and blown glass to paintings, jewelry, textiles, woodwork and sculpture, the Toe River Valley is home to one of the most vibrant arts communities in the Southeast. With galleries tucked into small mountain towns and hundreds of artists working throughout the valley, finding your own one-of-a-kind piece is part of the adventure.

Start in Bakersville

A stroll through downtown Bakersville is a great place to begin your art hunt.

At Mica - Fine Contemporary Craft, you’ll find a cooperative gallery featuring work by artist members and invited guests. The collection spans ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, paper, prints, paintings, wood and metal—meaning there’s a little something for every kind of art collector.

Just down the street, In Tandem Gallery offers a beautifully curated selection of contemporary craft, with a particular emphasis on studio ceramics and jewelry. The gallery is housed in a historic 1895 building that once served as a bank, adding another layer of local history to the experience.

Then make your way toward Penland and visit Penland Gallery and Visitors Center. Located at the entrance to the renowned Penland School of Craft, the gallery showcases and sells contemporary craft created by artists connected to the school. It’s an ideal stop for anyone looking for beautifully made pieces with a strong connection to the craft tradition of the mountains.

Discover Art in Spruce Pine

Downtown Spruce Pine has its own creative energy, with galleries and working artists woven into the community. Toe River Arts Gallery is a perfect starting point. Located on Oak Avenue, the gallery features exhibitions and a gift shop where visitors can purchase work from local artists throughout the year.

For a peek behind the scenes, stop by Treats Studios. This three-story downtown building is home to a collective of artists working in a wide range of mediums. It’s more than a gallery—it’s a creative community where artists make, work and connect.

And be sure to keep an eye out for Lakeview Gallery, a new addition to Spruce Pine’s growing arts scene.

Take the Art Home With You

What makes Mitchell County especially special is that the galleries are only the beginning.

Throughout the Toe River Valley, hundreds of artists work in studios tucked into mountain hollows, along winding roads and throughout the communities surrounding Bakersville and Spruce Pine. You can find potters, painters, woodworkers, glass artists, jewelers, fiber artists, metalworkers and so much more.

Twice each year, those studios open their doors to the public during the Toe River Arts Studio Tour. Held in June and November, the self-guided tour gives visitors the chance to meet working artists, see where their work is created and shop directly from the makers themselves. The tour has been connecting visitors with artists in Mitchell and Yancey counties since 1992.

And that’s the beauty of collecting art in Mitchell County: your piece can be more than something beautiful. You can remember the mountain road you traveled, the studio where you met the artist, the story behind the piece and the community that created it.