Exhibitions and Events

From Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13

We’re very excited to be presenting our fall line-up of area artists for the
FALL TOE RIVER ARTS STUDIO TOUR!!
We’ve almost finalized all the details and think this will be the best tour ever! So, get ready to:

visit the artists, see their workspaces, and purchase their newest creations
get your Christmas shopping done early
enjoy the fall colors and temperate weather of the gorgeous area
treat yourself to an art immersion in whatever craft area you want to see

We hope you’re as excited as we are!

LIFE ART LIFE
William Bernstein 50 Year Retrospective

LIFE ART LIFE William Bernstein 50 year retrospective” features the glass and paintings of William Bernstein, an artist who has been at the forefront of the North Carolina studio glass movement for over 50 years. The exhibition takes place at the Toe River Arts Kokol Gallery August 6 through October 9, 2022 in Spruce Pine, NC, and then at the Cary Arts Center November 30 through January 21, 2023 in Cary, NC.

August 6 – October 9
Kokol Gallery – Spruce Pine

We’re excited to announce our move to a new Yancey County location!

We have been working with Lynn Austin and Yancey County to secure our new home!

We are so excited about this partnership and want to thank Lynn, Yancey County, and the Commissioners for believing in our vision and willingness to renovate the space to showcase the work of our talented artist community.

A special Thank You to Jamie with the Yancey County Economic Development Commission for his support!

Please visit the New Burnsville project for occasional project updates and please visit one of our Saturday Pop Up shops! We will release this schedule soon.

We appreciate the support of our community of artists and look forward to better showcasing their work.
We’re excited to see you soon in our new space!

The Bringle Project Documentary Film

As you well know, Cynthia and Edwina Bringle have led storied lives as craftspeople in the South, producing remarkable works of art, mentoring a vast community of makers, and sharing what they know with students, visitors, and collectors at every turn. They have been anchors in the studio craft movement from the 1960s to the present and enabled others to carry those traditions forward. It is this story that Toe River Arts wishes to tell in a documentary video to be created by Vincent Martinez, a Cuban-born, Atlanta-based producer. Vincent was selected not only for his past work and expertise, but also as a former Penland Core Fellow who knows the Bringles personally. He has directly experienced the historic role played by the Bringles in the life of Penland for over 50 years.

Please help up make this a reality by donating here

Meet the Toe River Artists and Galleries

Ruth Fischer Rutkowsky

I am a potter and sculptor (both), and my work often combines the two.
I use slip trailing, sgraffito carving, and wax to resist emulating folk-art patterns of my German-Norwegian heritage.
I also enjoy making commemorative pieces, custom designed for special occasions. Sculpture for me provides a doorway to my creative expression, an indulgence I allow myself in search of my voice as an artist.