A behind-the-scenes look at Floyd’s talented artisans and their studios, the Floyd County Artisan Trail Tour, will return for its sixth year June 10-12,
The June is a three-day event at over 40 sites across Floyd County with activities at artisan home-studios; galleries and shops; farms and farm markets; and restaurants and lodging sites that promote local food and art.
This year’s tour includes many new and returning makers of all kinds. Artisan studios feature fiber arts, jewelry, pottery, fine arts, woodworking, mosaic work, and gourd crafts. Galleries and shops include art association cooperatives, the historic Old Church Gallery, The Floyd Country Store, local galleries and businesses representing numerous Floyd artists, and the host organization, The Jacksonville Center for the Arts.
On the agritourism front, the array of participants includes a number of local organic farms and farm stores, Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine’s medicinal herb gardens, garden design, an alpaca farm, and Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary. Some of Floyd’s talented eateries are also included on the tour: Dogtown Roadhouse and Grateful Bread Bakery. Out of town visitors are encouraged to seek lodging with another our stop, Hotel Floyd.
“The Artisan Trail is a great way to help visitors and residents connect with local arts and agriculture not only in town, but at sites across the entire county,” says Floyd Tourism Director Pat Sharkey. Site activities include studio tours, sales and exhibit of local fine art, hand-crafted items and farm products, as well as classes, demonstrations, live music, and talks at sites throughout the county.
Demonstrations on woodworking, painting, beekeeping, glassworking, and more will take place among the sites. Some activities will be scheduled on specific times and others on-going throughout the tour.
Tour hours are Friday and Saturday, June 1-11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 12, noon to 5 p.m. During the tour, visitor information will be available at the Floyd County Visitor Center, and at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts. Visit either site for brochures and directions.
Check out some of the other activities going on at The Jacksonville Center during the tour including an opening reception for three new exhibitions, and on-going demonstrations in glassworking, blacksmithing, and pottery.
Artisan Trail sponsors include: Citizens Telephone Cooperative, Floyd County Tourism Office, Round the Mountain, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and NEA. Updated schedule, details, and printable brochure can be found on the Facebook page and on the website, www.jacksonvillecenter.org. Hard-copy tour brochure and maps are available at The Jacksonville Center and the Floyd County Visitor Center. For mailed copies and more information, email info@floydartisantrail.org or call (540) 745-2784. The center is located at 220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd.
