Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend Arts & Crafts Fair
Artist & Exhibitor Guidelines
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED- JULY 26, 5:00PM
Join us in celebrating the 150 Anniversary of Shelton House. In celebration we are expanding activities at the Fair. The 2026 event will include Art and Craft Vendors, Demonstrators, Community Organizations and Non-profits, Haywood Market (Haywood County Artists), Free House Tours and Barn Exhibitions, Music (bring a chair), Food Trucks, Craft Raffle, Museum Craft Market, and the Saturday Morning Farmers Market!
In addition to the Fair, visitors can enjoy a full weekend of heritage celebrations, including the Friday Night Street Dance on Main Street in Waynesville and the Cataloochee Family Reunion on Sunday. You don’t want to miss this weekend in Haywood County!
Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend Arts & Crafts Fair
Artist & Exhibitor Guidelines
Application Deadline Extended!
Festival and Shelton House Description The Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend (BRHW) Arts & Crafts Fair is an annual outdoor festival celebrating the traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachian region. Held on the historic Shelton Campus in Waynesville, North Carolina, the event brings together juried artists, craft demonstrators, local musicians, and food vendors for a weekend highlighting the creativity and cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Presented as a fundraiser for the Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Craft and History, the festival offers visitors the opportunity to meet makers, experience craft demonstrations, and explore the traditions that continue to shape Western North Carolina.
The Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Craft and History is housed in the historic Shelton House, built in 1875 by Stephen Jehu Shelton, a prominent Haywood County leader. The home, a late-19th-century Charleston-style farmhouse with a double veranda, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of Haywood County’s most important historic landmarks. Since 1977, the house has served as the home of the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, founded through the efforts of preservationist Mary Cornwell and craftspeople from the Village of Yesteryear at the North Carolina State Fair. The museum preserves and interprets North Carolina’s craft heritage through collections of quilts, woven coverlets, pottery, woodworking, basketry, furniture, Native American craft, and historical objects reflecting daily life in the region.
New for 2026: Haywood Market for Haywood County Artist This year’s Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend will introduce an new opportunity for local makers. The Haywood Market will provide a dedicated space for artists living in Haywood County to showcase and sell their work during the festival. Located in the historic Shelton Barn, the Haywood Market will feature a small group of local artists offering handcrafted work in an indoor setting just steps from the festival grounds. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their process, and purchase locally made artwork and craft while exploring the Shelton Campus. The market will include individual booth spaces at a reduced fee for Haywood County artists. By providing this additional venue during the festival, the Haywood Market strengthens our commitment to supporting regional makers while offering visitors another way to experience the rich artistic traditions of Haywood County. Artists are encouraged to apply early as there is a limited number of spaces (approximately 12).
Eligibility
The BRHW Arts & Crafts Fair is open to artists and craftspeople from all 48 continental United States, as well as students currently studying at North Carolina institutions. Makers from Western North Carolina and adjacent Appalachian regions are especially encouraged to apply. While not a requirement, the fair emphasizes traditional heritage craft and contemporary art inspired by Appalachian craft traditions.
Categories
Categories include, but are not limited to:
• Textiles Weaving, spinning, quilting, rug making, knitting • Ceramics
• Metals Blacksmithing, jewelry
• Natural Materials Basketry, broom making
• Wood Carving, turning, instruments, woodworking • Leather • Books and Paper
• Natural Products Soap, lotions, candles, teas, spices, sauces, candy, medicinal or botanical products
• 2D Art Painting, drawing, printmaking, photography
• Mixed Media Sculpture, folk art, assemblage
If you do not find a category that fits your work, please select Other.
Important Dates
Application Deadline Extended!
• Application Deadline July 26, 2026
• Notification of Application Status July 28, 2026
• Booth and Application Invoices Issued July 29, 2026
• Payment Due August 4, 2026
• Cancellation with Full Refund August 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Artist Check-In and Setup Friday, August 7, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Festival Hours Saturday, August 8 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, August 9 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Festival Weather Policy
The festival is a rain or shine event. There is no rain date.
Location & Check-In
Outdoor Vendor Check-In Location: Shelton House / HART Theatre / Farmers Market parking area 250 Pigeon Street Waynesville, NC All exhibitors must check in at this location on Friday, August 7 between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Haywood Market Check-in Location: Shelton Barn 250 Pigeon Street Waynesville, NC
Setup & Vehicles Artists are strongly encouraged to set up on Friday. If you are unable to arrive Friday, you must notify festival staff in advance. Limited Saturday setup will be allowed until 8:45 AM. After this time:
• Vehicles must be removed from the vendor area
• Vehicles must park in designated areas
• Vehicles must be cleared at least 15 minutes before opening each day
Booth Information Outdoor Vendors
• Standard craft booths are 10' x 10’
• Limited double booths are available and must be requested during application
• Vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and chairs
• Booth sharing is permitted, with a maximum of two vendors per booth
• The festival cannot guarantee specific booth locations Artists with accessibility needs related to booth placement should notify staff during application.
Haywood Market Vendors
• Approximately 10’ x 10’ space
• Limited number of spaces, approximately 12
• Vendors must provide their own tables and displays
• The festival cannot guarantee specific booth locations
Sales
• All sales are handled directly by the exhibitor
• BRHW does not collect commission
• Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting North Carolina sales tax Fees Application Fee $25 (non-refundable)
Outdoor Booth Fees: Single: $200 Double: $375
Haywood Market Booth Fees: Single: $100 Double Space: N/A
All fees will be invoiced via Square.
Payment by Check: Pay to: Shelton House Notation: BRHW 2026 Mail checks to: Shelton House PO Box 145 Waynesville, NC 28786
A $30 fee will be charged for declined checks.
Booth space is not reserved until payment is received.
Cancellation Policy Cancellations on or before August 5 (5 PM) will receive a full refund of the booth fee. Cancellations after August 5 are non-refundable. No-shows or vendors who fail to notify the festival may not be invited to participate in future events. Application fees are non-refundable.
Facilities
• Exhibitors are responsible for their own displays and equipment
• Electricity is available to six exhibitors
• No setup is allowed during show hours Artists interested in demonstrations may contact: info@shelton-house.org
Security BRHW provides:
• Security during event hours
• Overnight security patrol Friday and Saturday nights
• The Haywood Market (Barn) will be locked at the close of of festival. However:
• Exhibitors display work at their own risk
• The festival does not insure personal property Artists are encouraged to carry their own insurance coverage.
Artist Amenities Participating artists receive:
• Vehicle unloading access near booths (weather permitting)
• Free artist parking
• Restroom facilities
• Coffee, water, and refreshments
• Limited booth sitting by volunteers and staff
• Regional marketing campaign including print, online, radio, and television
Rules & Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
The Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Craft and History is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. All vendors, performers, volunteers, staff, and guests are expected to contribute to a positive atmosphere by: • Treating others with respect and consideration • Supporting an inclusive community
Submission Requirements Applicants must submit:
• Four (4) images of artwork created within the past two years
• One (1) booth image Images should clearly demonstrate:
• Craftsmanship
• Artistic quality
• Work intended for sale Images may be used for festival promotion.
Jury Process Applications are reviewed after the application deadline. Evaluation criteria include:
• Craftsmanship
• Artistic design
• Originality
Alignment with festival mission
Applicants will receive notification of:
• Acceptance
• Waitlist status
• Non-acceptance
Accepted artists will receive instructions for booth payment and placement.
Legal Agreement By submitting an application, artists agree to:
• Be 18 years or older
• Remain open for the full duration of festival hours
• Set up only during designated setup times
• Remove vehicles from festival grounds before opening.
The festival operates rain or shine, and exhibitors are responsible for weather preparation including tent weights and protection.
Art Presentation Requirements Artists must:
• Present original artwork
• Handle all sales and collect sales tax
• Avoid work produced primarily from commercial kits, molds, or prefabricated forms
• Ensure commercial embellishments are subordinate to handcrafted work
• Label reproductions clearly
• Price all work clearly
No disruptive sounds, amplified music, or distractions are permitted within booth areas.
Reproduction Standards
For limited editions or reproductions:
• Original work must remain the primary focus
• Reproductions must be signed and numbered
• Photographs must be signed
• Reproductions must be clearly labeled “Reproduction” or “Limited Edition”
Final Statement
BRHW expects full and accurate disclosure of materials and methods used in artwork. The festival reserves the right to remove work that: • Does not match the quality represented in submitted images • Is considered inappropriate or inconsistent with festival standards The Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend Arts & Crafts Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.