Writing a review for Penland is kinda difficult for me personally. The Penland campus and…read morefacilities are absolutely gorgeous and amazing. The food is reallllly delicious and way better than I could've imagined, the school is overflowing with creativity and passion and the people are innovative and fun! On the other hand, the class that I took at Penland was extremely disappointing and the teacher did not inspire or challenge me at all. After hearing for years and years that Penland is an incredible place that will challenge you as an artist to the extreme and you will be totally immersed in an art experience, it was really quite disappointing to spend much of my class time bored and working on my own art that I brought from home because there wasn't much else provided for us to do. I'm not sure what sort of vetting/interviewing process they do for instructors as I've had a few other people who attended Penland in previous years tell me similar stories. Regardless of my negative experience with my class, I'm still giving Penland 5 stars because I could feel the creative energy flowing through this school every day and every waking hour. There are students ranging from 18 to 80 years old, some with very little experience and others professional artists. For the most part, the teachers are excellent and challenge their students. I visited the other studios almost every day for inspiration and to see what the other workshops were working on and I was blown away by the incredible work being made. There is a clay studio, painting and drawing studio, printmaking, paper, photography, metals, wordworking and textile studios. As I mentioned above, the food is, wow, soooo delicious. They provide three meals a day which are all very healthy, hearty and thoughtful. The kitchen staff are friendly, make sure all the foods are stocked, and do their best to provide awesome food for everyone, regardless of food restrictions. There are many different types of housing ranging from dorm housing with like 15 beds in one room to solo rooms and everything in between. Their beds are really surprisingly comfortable and I recommend bringing your own fan and an extra pillow. Although this campus is incredibly gorgeous, it is not very handicap accessible.

I attended a two week class here this summer. The campus is inspiring and beautiful. The…read moreinstructors were kind and seemed to have great interest in what they were teaching. There was art everywhere and combined with the perfect location (overlooking a mountain) it made it feel like a retreat. My biggest beef with Penland is the cost of classes. Not just that but how much room and board & food is. Most people are unable to afford $1600 for two weeks (that doesn't include food or a room) and I wouldn't have been able to had it not been for my doing a GoFund Me and my friends and supporters giving me money. I stayed at a B&B off campus in a room for $30 a night (Bakersville B&B, which I recommend!) I also did the numbers food and with their plan it was around $11-$12 a meal. Umm no thanks. It's convenient but if you're looking for a way to save money-bring your own snacks and go out to local restaurants. They are several just 20 minutes from Penland! Also, as a nonprofit founder I would've liked to get away from fundraising and large events but being at Penland didn't allow me to because they were prepping for their big annual fundraiser while I was there. It wasn't enough that I paid around $2200 for a two week class (class, food, board) but a few people came into our class to ask if we want to donate work to the auction. I'm sorry but no. I'd like to keep what I've worked really hard on and paid for to create. I appreciate this school is a nonprofit but at the same time they could offer more scholarships (I applied for one and didn't get it and no I'm not upset about it because I went and everything was fine), they could also cut costs of classes so more disadvantaged people can have the opportunity to attend. One main building was being rebuilt while I was there and the noise was extremely disruptive. There is no AC but we had fans in the studio-still pretty warm sometime. I was hungry for lunch and had forgotten my food and asked the lunch attendant how much it would be to eat lunch that day and he said $19. WUT? I also didn't realize there would be so many rules related to studio use. We had to sign paperwork and had to help clean up afterward. The studio assistant was only told that she could leave once someone had decided the entire space was clean enough. I don't think students attending a two week workshop need to feel so much pressure from an organization to donate and volunteer. I wanted to take a damn break but turns out that my breaks happened when I left campus and went back to my B&B and the surrounding towns. The studios were nice although one of the new studios had problems and I heard students weren't very pleased they do have a variety of classes. The quality of the teachers is outstanding and that's not in question at ALL. You will receive good solid instruction with highly qualified people.

Absolutely loved this experience! The owner was so kind and actually added an impromptu event for…read moreus because we wanted a spontaneous date night. She was super kind, fun, and experienced! Very encouraging. She even set the scene up cute with a little vase of roses in the center and gave us a double canvas so our paintings worked together as one. Definitely will be doing this again!

Angelia was great, she scheduled us last minute while on a weekend get away. We had the best…read moreexperience painting a difficult picture. She was funny yet provided great instructions while supporting us to be creative in our own way. I highly recommend, great atmosphere and obviously well experienced at teaching art to the most inexperienced individuals.

Enjoyed our visit here! James is a super nice guy and has quite a collection. Didn't get a chance…read moreto meet Debbie but her work was on display as well. Make this a stop when you visit downtown Jonesborough!

Such an amazing class and studio! Ms. LaDonna has so much to teach everyone and is such an amazing…read moreinstructor to young children. My daughter had the best time in her spring art classes, ending with an amazing art show and reception. My daughter loved it so much that she's signed up for 4 weeks of art camps this summer... designing, drawing, painting, clay, and all sorts of other medias. Thanks for bringing so much art and excitement into Johnson City and sharing it with these kids of all ages!!!

This studio has managed to expand it's artistic horizons far beyond expectation, not limiting…read moreitself to only one field of art, but embracing the vast variety of approaches toward it.

Dorm style rooms with two twin beds and a shower. Not large, but still comfortable. The cafeteria…read morehad a different selection each day, with a number of drink options and options for gluten free and vegetarian dietary restrictions. The workspaces were thoughtfully put together with sinks and power sockets. The staff were helpful and friendly.

I'm taking the Piecing and Dyeing community class at Arrowmont with Megan Koeppel. And I'm…read morethoroughly enjoying it! The textiles room is well-equipped, with all the equipment and supplies I could think to need and more! Megan is great! She brings her personal experience with natural dyeing and piecing, and a boatload of patience for our many, many questions. She also adapts her lesson plans to the interests of the group, and the strengths and weaknesses of the students in the group. I'm really pleased that Arrowmont had these community classes for those of us who can neither afford the time nor the prices for the national classes. Thank you, Arrowmont!

My daughter says Periwinkle Art School is "awesome." "You get to do art, and my favorite has been…read moreworking with clay." I've been impressed with how much she has improved, and her drawing keeps getting better and better!

Just walking thru the door at this store is lovely. Its the perfect place to buy gifts for loved…read moreones or for yourself as well. I give it 5 stars because even if u dont end up buying anything, u will still enjoy ur visit.

An absolutely beautiful Gallery, with a fantastic selection of Handmade Artwork by over 63 Local…read moreand Regional Artists! Perfect place to find those "One of a kind" gifts, or decor for your home. Commission work available by most all of the featured Artists. Painting classes and Painting Parties by in-house Artist / Owner, Cindy Saadeh. Custom Furniture, Woodworking and Wall Art by in-house Artist / Gallery manager, Michael Ripper Workshops and monthly exhibitions by Local Artists ongoing! AWESOME!

I wish I'd stopped here earlier in the day. Earlier in the week. I also wish I'd more carefully…read moreresearched and planned what was in here so I could have been strategic about my visit! I stopped here twice. When I got here I wandered around upstairs and although many of the studios were closed, most or all of the artists had works decorating the walls. The first place I stopped was at the studio of Galen Frost Bernard, because he happened to be opening the door of his studio and welcomed me in. It was really fun to talk to him about his background, his art, some of the elements in his pieces, and learning about a few prints that I was particularly interested in. I ended up purchasing one of them, and getting the name of one of his completed originals so that maybe I can ask about getting a print of it later. He also painted the mural on the walls between his studio and the Art Garden. Next I stopped in Lori Portka's studio, and she was one that I had originally planned to visit. She has really vibrant, joyous paintings, and also has pillows, cards, prayer-type flags, wood prints, and so on. I bought a print of a piece called Abundance Goddess, which I felt an affinity towards because I have similar coloring and it felt really special to see myself in art. I also got a pillow and several cards, because I love greeting cards. Her work certainly brightens up my home. Sarah Faulkner is an artist whose work I saw at Woolworth Walk, and she has a studio here but currently, during the pandemic, is only open by appointment. I stopped by her studio to peek in the windows anyway, and also caught a glimpse of her neighbor's work. When I returned the next day, I ended up buying two original pieces by Elizabeth Carrington Porritt, as well as a small print. I'd love to have a larger original by Elizabeth one day--perhaps a commission--and a work by Faulkner as well. In fact, I already plan to purchase a giclee print of her work 12 Karats to put in my kitchen. I rounded out my visit to Riverview Station by visiting The High Fiber. They make hand-dyed textiles. I bought several flour sack towels; I love the beautiful, vibrant colors that are used in this work. I'd really love to purchase some napkins as well, because when the pandemic started I moved to reusable placemats and napkins. I'll be watching their site and instagram for when they come back in stock (particularly the adorable bear ones!). I didn't get to do all I wanted whilst I was in Asheville--in particular, I didn't get to visit all the artist studios I wish I had. So I certainly expect to return, and I will definitely find myself wandering Riverview Station again. Hopefully with as large a car, and with bigger pockets!

Started off the day trip to Asheville here to embrace the artsy culture of the city and really…read moreenjoyed it. There are tons of studios and something for everyone to look at. Also free parking on the premise!