Every year the high country of western North Carolina beckons to new visitors to come take the Toe River Arts Council’s popular FREE and self-guided tour of artists’ studios and galleries. Folks from all over the United States and even overseas make a pilgrimage to seek and buy art right at its creative source, a tradition that started more than 18 years ago when a small group of emerging artists decided to open their studios for a weekend holiday sale. That little tour has grown into a major event. Twice a year hundreds of craft lovers come to the scenic mountain communities of Mitchell and Yancey counties to enjoy the Toe River Studio Tour.

The next Studio Tour takes place this weekend, June 10-12, 2011. Tour participants will have a chance to meet with local artists at  a reception on the Friday at the Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery from 5 to 7 pm, where an exhibition of all Tour participants is on display. Pouring over the maps of the tour, the visitor may decide to add one or two new artists to the list of old favorites. With their itineraries planned, they head for the hills, keeping their eyes open for the red and white signs that studios and galleries post by the roadside to guide and welcome them. June Tour hours are noon to 4 on Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The TRAC tour is a fantastic opportunity to check out all the amazing creative work that goes on here in the neighborhood. For more information, visit www.toeriverarts.org