In response to the vision created by the Swain County Blue Ridge National Heritage Committee, Southwestern Community College partnered with the Swain County Economic Development Committee to develop a crafts education center.

Launched in March 2006, the SCC Heritage Arts Institute at Almond preserves the region’s arts while providing professional, artistic, technical and business skills for crafts. Seven very comprehensive classes have been offered in pottery, basketry and metalworking. Participants also focus on the development of skills in design and marketing, on studio set up and on the nuts and bolts of business.

The center just received a $23,000 grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to expand the Institute’s pottery offerings into such areas as high fire gas, salt and raku firing. This expansion will be made possible through the construction of a 864-square-foot kiln shed that will house three kilns, a glaze mixing area and a washing area. It will be built adjacent to the two existing pottery studios which include 21 pottery wheels, two low-fire electric kilns and hand-building space and equipment.

The Heritage Arts Institute is the only non-degree program in the area that focuses on developing both the craft art skills and business skills necessary to make the craft artist financially successful. Completion of a certificate in one of the craft arts greatly enhances artist sustainability. Because it is a non-degreed program, programming is much more flexible in terms of hours and course study. It is also more economical for both the in-state and out-of-state student.

According to Hank Shuler, Heritage Arts Institute director, “Crafts are an important part of our heritage. They define our ancestry and provide a creative source of relaxation and revenue. In other words, crafts work.”

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