Explore Our Trails. Giles Buchanan. Montgomery. Bland Tazewell. Dickenson. Pulaski. Franklin. Wise Russell. Floyd Wythe Carroll. Smyth.

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2 Explore Our Trails Clinch River Artisan Trail Countryside Artisan Trail Floyd County Trail Giles Arts and Adventure Trail Harmony Trail Hidden Treasures Lonesome Pine Artisan Trail Montgomery County Artisan Trail Mountain Crossroads New River Artisan Trail Rivers to Ridges Artisan Trail Smyth County Artisan Trail White Lightning Artisan Trail Wilderness Road Artisan Trail Woven Mountains and River Bends This brochure is an invitation to explore the Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia. A project of `Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia s Artisan Network, the Artisan Trails is a collection of 15 community trails covering 19 counties and four cities, each reflecting its own unique culture, heritage, and tradition. There are two ways to begin your Artisan Trail journey. Browse through the brochure, read about each trail, and contact the tourism organization listed at the bottom of the page for a copy of their brochure. Each brochure highlights that community s own culture as discovered through its artisan studios, craft venues, farms and points of interest. Or, create a customized trip by visiting. This website combines all the trail sites from each community in one place and allows you to plan your visit to Southwest Virginia based on your own, specific interest. Whether its pottery, metalwork, stained glass, woodworking, wine or farmers market, you ll discover eclectic studios, charming shops, captivating gardens and farms, delightful places to eat and stay! A rich creative heritage thrives in Southwest Virginia; take your time explore Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia. Virginia West Virginia Kentucky Giles Buchanan Dickenson Wise Russell Norton Lee Scott Tennessee Washington Bristol o Bland Tazewell Smyth Pulaski Montgomery Radford Floyd Wythe Carroll Grayson Galax North Carolina Patrick Franklin

3 Clinch River Artisan Trail A winding journey connecting artisan studios, craft shops, public artworks, and farms in Russell and Tazewell Counties Countryside Artisan Trail Wander the back roads of Washington County and Bristol to discover artisan studios, galleries, farms and more Crouch beneath dappled shadows of overarching trees and stare into the depths of the Clinch River. You may catch a glimpse of a bright darter or a colorful mussel. Flowing through the rolling hills of Tazewell County into the green pastures of Russell County, the Clinch River is one of the world s most biologically diverse waterways. Also diverse are the communities that rest alongside the river in mountain shadows. Mountains feed the imagination; that fact is reflected in the art and music of our people. Artists and artisans, storytellers and musicians: we have cultivated a fellowship of creation. Enjoy that fellowship when you travel here. You ll find outdoor murals and artistic expressive brick sculpture walls that depict coal mining and the storytelling traditions of Jack Tales. Retrace the footsteps of pioneers from the late 1700s through museum reenactments. Move your feet to traditional mountain tunes at one of our many festivals. Discover finely carved wood creations, delicately sewn quilts, and brightly colored wool handspun on spinning wheels passed down through generations. Whether you visit Virginia s highest mountain valley Burke s Garden or the charming waterfalls of the Pinnacle Natural Reserve, you ll find a landscape lush and lovely. It s easy to see why so many artisans find inspiration here. Enchanting downtowns with sidewalks of charming cafés, artisan galleries, specialty shops, art centers, theaters and artisan studios greet visitors to the friendly communities found on the Countryside Artisan Trail for Washington County and the City of Bristol. The Countryside Artisan Trail will take you to creative concentrations of artisans, theaters, farmers and musicians. This trail offers up an unrivaled collection of galleries featuring traditional and contemporary work from the hands of craftspeople that are scattered throughout this lovely countryside. A colorful patchwork of craft opportunities include classes, exhibits, working studios, and galleries devoted to the preservation of Appalachian heritage and the infusion of contemporary new world creativity. Lush green rolling farmland stretches to the foot of Mount Rogers and Whitetop where outdoor recreation is abundant. The smell of pines from Christmas tree farms and the cool air of a higher climate greet visitors who travel to Damascus. Farmers markets and farm to fork restaurants dot the Artisan Trail as you discover the creative gourmet fare featuring local produce. Beautifully restored gingerbread and Victorian houses are now available as B&Bs and farm stays; you can choose a mountain cabin along a bicycle trail or mountain stream. Visiting the Countryside Artisan Trail is a rich experience you will remember for a lifetime. Tazewell County Russell County Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau Bristol Convention & Visitors Bureau

4 Floyd County Trail The Best of Floyd, a creative community of artisans, studios, galleries, wineries, farm sites, and natural beauty Giles Arts & Adventures Trail A collection of artisans, shops, markets, farms, and more in Giles County If it s fun and funky, it s Floyd! The Floyd County Trail brings you face to face with one of the largest artisan communities in Southwest Virginia. Floyd County s friendly residents open their doors with special events, festivals, and outstanding galleries. Floyd County rests high atop a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cozy hotels, B&Bs and cabins dot the landscape, offering travelers a chance to relax among rhododendron and mountain laurel. Beyond the breathtaking overlooks, wildflower meadows, and extensive wildlife sits the town of Floyd. Here you ll find the community arts center and a 100 year old country store. The latter is home to the Friday Night Jamboree, a regular gathering of musicians that often spills out into the street during impromptu jams. Floyd s delightful downtown is packed with specialty shops and restaurants that offer everything from organic and vegetarian dishes to platefuls of simple home cooking. Local residents provide fresh homemade bread, jams, jellies, desserts and pastries to tantalize visitors with the flavors of the Blue Ridge. Whether you re enjoying a tasting at a local winery, visiting a working farm, or taking a studio tour, you ll find an eclectic collection of talented artisans who have their feet firmly planted in this inspiring and creative community. Come embrace all the Floyd County Trail has to offer. Something s always happening in Floyd! Best of Floyd Stories of life in Giles County are preserved in crafts that were originally used on farmsteads generations ago. The clang of a blacksmith hammer echoes through the mountains while the heat of a kiln melts glass into shimmering shapes. Musical instruments are lovingly built; younger hands master ancestral tunes. The artisans of the Giles Arts and Adventure Trail have carved, molded, woven, painted and quilted distinctive and inspired works that represent the mountains and valleys of Giles County. Giles County artisans include quilters, glass blowers, furniture makers, banjo makers, painters, photographers, and other artisans. Galleries throughout the area feature exquisite arts and crafts and offer classes, demonstrations, and special events. Stay for a weekend or longer to relish this artisan experience. The region offers country cottages, B&Bs, cabins, and a mountaintop resort. You ll discover gourmet dining, international cuisine, organic fare, or plain old comfort food made from scratch with local ingredients. Nearly 40 miles of the New River flow through the county, offering a myriad of opportunities for outdoor fun, including fishing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail in Giles County and discover cascading waterfalls, cool forests, and the songs of native birds. Visit the Arts and Adventure Trail and you ll understand what it means to relax in Giles Style. Giles County Chamber of Commerce

5 Harmony Trail A collection of artisans, shops, markets and more in Carroll County and Galax Hidden Treasures Experience the creations of Patrick County s talented artisans, unique agri-tourism, rich heritage and natural beauty The arts come together along the Harmony Trail, which spans Carroll County and the City of Galax. Adjoining the Blue Ridge Parkway and the New River, this picturesque area beckons with sweeping mountain views and charming communities. Bluegrass melodies and old-time tunes bounce off green peaks. Throughout the year, a strum from a banjo and a tune from a fiddle is all it takes to start up a lively jam session. Galax is home to the Old Fiddler s Convention, the world s oldest and largest festival of its kind, and is the site of the Leaf and String Festival. In addition to fiddle shops, coffee houses, tea rooms, and other gathering places, you ll find their new school of the arts, where artists and musicians share their time and talent, and an historic theater, which broadcasts Blue Ridge Backroads weekly. Music whets the appetite, so sample locally grown produce, home-baked breads, homemade jams and jellies, vintage wines, honey mead, and fresh apple cider. Be sure to visit the many galleries and craft shops that feature the work of local artisans. The inviting landscape will call you from the table and the shops. Explore numerous birding and wildlife trails as well as the Devil s Den Nature Preserve on your journey along the Harmony Trail. Covered bridges, corn mazes and working grist mills invite you to relax in the midst of artisans who weave their hearts into the handcrafted quilts, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, woodwork, soaps, metal work and much more along the Hidden Treasures trail. Hand knitted angora garments, decorated bird houses, elaborately designed gourds, and lovingly quilted work fill the shops along the trail. Local handmade jams, jellies, apple butter and honey are abundant, and the refreshing taste of fresh peaches, strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, apples, and cherries can be found at pick-your-own farms and farmers markets. Top rated wineries, surrounded by trellises of grapevines, offer aromatic pleasure and delicious wines enticing visitors to stir their senses and stay for long weekends. Music, food, craft shows, art, plays, and storytelling highlight the many festivals held throughout the seasons which showcase the talents of Patrick County s artisans. The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking trails invite visitors to take in sites of this picturesque county, while the clear mountain streams offer fly fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Take time to search for fairy stones at Fairy Stone State Park or enjoy nature s beauty at Philpott Lake. Rejuvenate your senses and find your own treasure along the Hidden Treasures trail. Carroll County Office of Tourism Galax Office of Tourism Patrick County Chamber of Commerce

6 Lonesome Pine Artisan Trail A collection of artisans, shops, markets and more in Wise County and the City of Norton Montgomery County Artisan Trail Make memories for a lifetime In this place where hills tumble across each other and ridges stretch their ancient spines, the people who live along the Lonesome Pine Artisan Trail understand that the blessed landscape reigns supreme. These artisans draw from a culture steeped in mountain scenery to create masterpieces that reflect their rich heritage. Weavers transform white oak and hickory into traditional Appalachian baskets. Glass artisans create curios and exceptional pieces of jewelry. Quilts sewn by hand throughout the long winter months reflect spring in Appalachia: trillium, dogwood, and Virginia bluebells. Find beeswax candles, pottery, wooden bowls, handmade musical instruments, local wines and more inside the museums and shops and throughout the area s festivals. Many artisans and musicians share their talents at schools, workshops and gatherings throughout the year, including the Mountain Music School at Mountain Empire Community College. The college is also the site of one of the region s most popular craft festivals, Home Craft Days. While you re here, visit a famous outdoor drama or hike to the top of mountain peaks for bird watching. Be sure to visit the Clinch River, which provides ample opportunities for floating, canoeing, kayaking or fishing. The members of the Lonesome Pine Artisan Trail invite you to an experience that will last a lifetime. Make memories for a lifetime as you explore this picturesque landscape nestled in the New River Valley between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. The charming communities along the Montgomery County Artisan Trail are abundant with eclectic galleries, artisan studios, working farms, farmers markets, bike and hiking trails and more. This valley is an ideal setting for gardens teeming with native plants. Museums showcase historical pieces and gardens dating back to the Wilderness Road era. Family farms abound; you ll find growers of fresh and organic produce, lavender, herbs and pumpkins. Goat and buffalo farmers offer their wares at the vibrant farmers markets and country stores. Visitors enjoy the many annual festivals that allow you to sip lavender lemonade, get lost in a corn maze, or just get down to the toe-tapping rhythms of bluegrass music. Montgomery County s galleries and artisan studios don t just sell you craft; they create it before your very eyes. Local artisans exhibit their work and offer classes for visitors. Sculpture, glass, pottery, jewelry, violins whatever your interest, you ll find something pleasing along the Montgomery County Artisan Trail. Wise County Tourism tourism.wisecounty.org Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

7 Mountain Crossroads One-of-a-kind treasures, beautiful scenery, historic attractions, and friendly folks find it all in Wythe and Bland Counties New River Artisan Trail Artisans, crafts, farms, restaurants, and lodging in Pulaski and Radford The Mountain Crossroads artisan trail is aptly named. The counties of Wythe and Bland sit at the intersection of Interstates 77 and 81, leading travelers deeper into the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Much of Bland County rests beneath the foliage of the Jefferson National Forest while Wythe County is bounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Clear mountain springs, pristine forests, and a nearperfect climate beckon visitors to sit and rest a spell. You won t sit too long, though. There s simply too much to see and do! Artisans along this trail take great pride in preserving traditional arts of the region through quilting, spinning, soap making, weaving, carving, chair caning, and more. Jams, jellies, and sauces are abundant at county fairs and local arts festivals. Throughout the year, you ll uncover mountain treasures: vineyards and wineries, herb farms, museums, historic mansions, farmers markets, and sites celebrating the region s place in Native American history. Bluegrass, old-time, country, and gospel tunes float through the night sky as residents gather for musical entertainment. Don t miss the 360-degree view of the area from atop Big Walker Mountain. Canoe the New River, photograph Dismal Falls, or fish from Rural Retreat Lake. This trail is fun for active families or those who just want to rock the day away on a porch with a magnificent view. A cool breeze sweeps up the New River as it flows into the green valley of Pulaski and Radford. The mournful music of a bagpipe drifting across Radford University s campus evokes thoughts of Ulster Scots settlers who ferried the river and fought the elements to survive. The Wilderness Road Museum documents the lives of these pioneers. Sustenance farming required skillful handiwork: baskets, quilts, woven materials, turned wood, and soap. Today visitors are immersed in the heritage and cultures of days gone by while uncovering contemporary craft produced by the creative and talented artisans along the New River Artisan Trail. Fine silver and flame-worked glass is transformed into delicate jewelry. Custom soft furnishings, hand-woven items, and turned wood bowls delight shoppers. Colorful quilt shows, gallery exhibits, workshops and festivals bring artisans together to demonstrate their skills to a new generation. Beyond the craftwork, discover other attractions. Visit Claytor Lake State Park, a working family farm, navigate a corn maze or enjoy a hay ride. At the end of the day, relax and close your eyes at one of the charming inns or mountain cabins along the New River Artisan Trail. Wythville Convention and Visitors Bureau Pulaski Visitor s Center Radford Visitor s Center

8 Rivers to Ridges Artisan Trail A collection of craft venues, creative points of interest and more in Dickenson and Buchanan Counties. Smyth County Artisan Trail Discover our kaleidoscope of art, culture and heritage. The Appalachians rose up in a slow, sweet heave of earth. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Buchanan County and Dickenson County. Walk along the trails around Breaks Interstate Park and you ll discover the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi. Mountain laurel, fractal ferns, and teaberry plants are just a few of the native flora growing on the ridges and cliffs around the gorge. Pause on one of the scenic overlooks and you ll feel the wind caress your skin, perhaps as Daniel Boone did nearly 250 years ago when he passed through the area. Touched by the region s beauty and abundance, many other pioneers settled here for good. Here their descendants remain, celebrating the deep forests, cold mountain streams, and misty hollows in their own unique way. Some create sophisticated craftwork, such as quilts, baskets, and musical instruments. Others sing plaintive, soulful ballads that tell the colorful, often tragic, stories of mountain people. All suffer from that curious mountain lovesickness that reveals itself through artistic craft and form. Plan your trip for autumn to experience vibrant fall foliage and spectacular scenery. While you re here, enjoy one of the lively festivals and events that showcase our artisans and musicians. But be careful! You may fall in love with our mountains, too. Smyth County s rich history and picturesque scenery make it one of Virginia s mustsee places. During the Civil War, a salt works, lead mines, and the railroad made the area an important strategic site. Chilhowie was the site of Stoneman s Raid; battlefields like the Overlook in Saltville still survive. Today Saltville is home to the Museum of the Middle Appalachians. You dig fossils? Visit the town s Ice Age excavations. In autumn, check out Chilhowie s Apple Festival and see why Native Americans named the area Valley of Many Deer. While in Marion, be sure to visit the historic Lincoln Theatre and participate in the Downtown Marion Art Walk. Enjoy demonstrations or sign up for a class at one of the studios. Browse the gift shops. If you get hungry during your visit, you can choose gourmet fare or country cooking at one of the many local eateries, or maybe a world famous dip dog. After you fall in love with these charming towns, be sure to pack a picnic lunch, find a mountaintop spot, and savor some spectacular views. Smyth County is home to Mount Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. When you visit one of the craft festivals, farmers markets, or wineries, you ll see that the artisans of Smyth County are spirited, distinctive and rooted in mountain traditions that come alive through their creative work. Buchanan County Tourism Dickenson County Tourism Smyth County

9 White Lightning ArtisanTrail From our hands and our land to yours Wilderness Road ArtisanTrail Westward bound through Scott and Lee counties, tour State and National parks, farms, galleries, nurseries and artisan studios. Some Franklin County residents were renowned for their skill in distilling spirits by the light of the moon, but today they prefer craftworks other than white lightning. Light, heat, sand, and clay converge to form unique treasures. Artisans excel in sophisticated hand-blown art glass, detailed mosaics, and eye-catching stained glass creations. The region s potters throw, cast, and hand-form practical wares and intriguing sculptural pieces. Textile artists perform a symphony with the whir of the spinning wheel and the clack of the loom. Learn the traditions by spending time with spinners, weavers, dyers, and the source of their fiber: alpacas, llamas, and heirloom sheep. Franklin County artisans give a new voice to woodworking. Turners, carvers, and joiners create an array of richly grained, one-of-a kind pieces, ranging from decorative bowls to bold, detailed furniture. In the jewelers hands, precious metals and gemstones unite as art and heirloom. Choose from creations on hand, or better yet, make a studio visit to have pieces designed with someone special in mind. Farm-fresh produce, homemade jams, tantalizing baked goods, locally produced wine, and velvety ice cream make the trail an epicurean delight. Stay at a cabin or B&B. Relax at Smith Mountain Lake or ride the rapids on Blackwater River. The White Lightning Artisan Trail will rejuvenate you with a jolt of good times. Franklin County Tourism The Wilderness Road Artisan Trail meanders through Scott and Lee counties, two of Virginia s westernmost border counties. It is named after the Wilderness Road, which runs into the Cumberland Gap where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky meet. In America s early days, thousands of pioneers braved the road to reach unsettled lands westward. Reenactments at Natural Tunnel State Park and Wilderness Road State Park tell of the hardships of those first settlers, including Daniel Boone. Boone was one of the earliest pioneers to face the challenges of this hazardous trail. Today the greatest danger of the trail is losing track of time as you browse its galleries and gift shops. Explore these venues and studios to discover pottery, jewelry, stained glass, photography, fiber arts, and woodworking. You ll also find that local culture is celebrated through music; local music venues bring folks together to celebrate their mountain heritage. Nature buffs will enjoy magnificent vistas, rolling rivers, and deep valleys. The landscape of the two counties is also a boon for farmers and foodies. Here you can visit a pumpkin patch, navigate a corn maze, or take part in old-fashioned molasses stir-off. Stop by one of the region s last operational gristmills, which still produces and sells corn meal. Come blaze your own path along the Wilderness Road Artisan Trail. Scott County Tourism Lee County Tourism

10 Woven Mountains and River Bends Grayson County s Studios, Galleries and Farms Refresh your spirit deep in forests, alongside babbling brooks, and on top of the highest peaks in Virginia. The Woven Mountains and River Bends artisan trail reveals Grayson County as a muse for artisans who draw inspiration from their natural surroundings. Wild ponies gallop across the meadows of Mount Roger s National Recreation Area. The two highest peaks in Virginia cast cool shadows across family farms. A scenic byway crosses the area, offering a lovely pastoral view. For a closer look, ditch the car and hike the Appalachian Trail or ride a horse alongside the New River. The river connects the valley from Independence to Galax. Here nature s bounty provides clay for pots, natural dyes for alpaca wool, flowers for lamp shades, and inspiration for jewelers and painters. Visit a stained glass studio or adorn yourself with creations from master jewelers and fiber artists who use native, natural elements. Artisans invite you to visit their home studios and share their incredible talents. You may hear mountain melodies floating on the breeze. Grayson County is home to jam sessions and old-time music. When you visit, you ll find plenty of places to rest your head. Cabins, cottages, and inns dot the landscape. Find yourself entwined in Woven Mountains and River Bends! Grayson County Tourism

11 OUR SINCERE THANK YOU The Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia are made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Virginia Tobacco Commission