Description:

The art and craft heritage of Old Fort, North Carolina, is alive and well, thanks in part to the Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League. A3L, as the group of local artists and craftspeople is known, opened the Arrowhead Gallery and Studios in April of 2013, helping to revitalize downtown Old Fort through the careful renovation of an historic building, and creating an opportunity for local artists to have studio space for working as well as to showcase and sell their art and craft work.

Inside the bright and spacious Arrowhead Gallery and Studios, you’ll find the work of more than 30 local artists on display. Every piece is handmade in western North Carolina by skilled artists and crafters who call this area home. They are all members of A3L, a non-profit artists’ organization whose mission is to promote the arts, offer educational activities, ensure that local artists have the opportunity to display their skills and work, and preserve the local art and craft heritage for future generations. The Arrowhead Gallery and Studios is a prime example of the group’s passion and commitment to connecting visitors and residents with the local art community.

When you consider the fact that Old Fort is a small town with fewer than 1,000 residents, the variety of work offered in the Arrowhead Gallery and Studios is amazing – everything from beautiful oil paintings, photography and sketches depicting the area, to detailed hand-woven baskets and fiber art, stunning jewelry, colorful pottery, and handcrafted wood pieces. All work is juried.

Along with the gallery, the building contains almost 1,500 square feet of studio space and a large classroom for art classes and workshops.