“We Still Make Things” Handwoven Scarf by Pam Howard

Artist Bio: This piece was made by Pam Howard, who began teaching weaving at the Folk School in the 1990’s. She focused on all textile aspects including spinning, weaving, and dyeing, and was the Resident Artist in Weaving at the Folk School for over 20 years. Pam was an active member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, Handweavers Guild of America, and several local guilds over the years. Pam retired from the Folk School in 2021, and passed away in 2024.

Item Description: This handwoven scarf features the “We Still Make Things” pattern used in a Folk School The Folk School Changes You advertisement. Woven in vibrant rainbow colors, it celebrates creativity, tradition, and making by hand. Created by Pam Howard, this scarf is both a meaningful piece of Folk School history and a joyful, wearable work of art.

Footed Charcuterie Board by Dana Hatheway

Artist Bio: Dana Hatheway is a self-employed custom woodworker who makes fine furniture. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in industrial arts/woodworking from Berea College and has been a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild since 1984. Dana was the Folk School’s resident artist in woodworking for 15 years and established the Windsor chair program at the school in 1989. His philosophy is “learning by doing,” using both traditional and contemporary tools and methods.

Item Description: Own a footed charcuterie board from centennial artist Dana Hatheway, designed for everyday use or special occasions. Dana Hatheway in front of the fireplace in Keith House married his wife, Marcia Bugg, and since that day in 1982, they’ve called the Folk School their home and share studio space for woodworking and pottery creations.

Paintings by Suzanne DesLauriers

Artist Bio: Suzanne DesLauriers has been a working artist for over 30 years. She was the 1996 Western North Carolina Creative Teacher of the Year and the 1999-2000 North Carolina Secondary Art Teacher of the Year. Suzy is a signature member of the Southern Appalachian Artists Guild as well as a member of the Southern Watercolor Society and the Southeastern Pastel Society. She has taught and exhibited her work in the Carolinas, Maine, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. She believes in unlocking the artist within each of us.

Item Description:

Blue Ridge Spring Original Painting: This original watercolor captures a Blue Ridge mountain landscape at sunrise, rendered in soft pastel colors. Suzanne Deslauriers’ delicate brushwork evokes the fresh, serene beauty of spring in the mountains. A luminous, one-of-a-kind painting ready to bring the tranquility of the moutains into your home.

The Saw Mill Original Painting: Original watercolor by Suzanne DesLauriers featuring the Folk School Saw Mill. Capture the rustic charm of this historic site with a unique artwork that brings the scene to life.

Leo the Leopard Cat by Laurel Horton

Artist Bio: Laurel Horton has been making quilts since 1975. Although best known as a textile researcher, author, and editor, she is also recognized as an imaginative fabric artist and inspiring teacher. She has made some 60 large bedquilts and numerous wall quilts, but her recent work is producing decorative, one-of-a-kind potholders. These small creations allow her to do what she loves most—playing with fabrics, making a conscious decision with each piece she adds. She particularly enjoys experimenting with “string patchwork,” a simple, traditional technique that lends itself to almost infinite variation.

Item Description: Leo the Leopard was made in the “Wrapping Wild – Making Animals Out of Recycled Materials” class with environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck at the Folk School. Enjoy this sweet sculpture as a decorative piece in your home, office, or gift to an animal loving friend.

Boro-Inspired Shirt Jacket by Karen Swing

Artist Bio:  Karen Swing has been a full-time fabric artist for almost 60 years, teaching and selling one-of-a-kind pieces and wearables. She is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and makes her home in Hendersonville NC. She has spent a lot of time experimenting with not only traditional embroidery techniques but also non-traditional sewing machine techniques, color and texture. For many years her upcycled clothing was sold in the Folk School Craft Shop. She retired from teaching at Folk School in 2023.

Item Description: Boro is a Japanese form of recycling, born from economic necessity, in which clothing was patched on the reverse side to extend its use. In recent years, this method of applied sashiko stitching has become an art form of visible mending. This piece, made by Karen Swing, is an upcycled men’s cotton shirt, embellished with indigo fabric scraps and finished with indigo-dyed embroidery thread for sashiko stitching. Striking and full of character, this shirt is a beautiful, wearable work of art you won’t want to miss.

Marbled Silk Scarf by Eileen Hallman 

Artist Bio: Eileen Hallman is an inveterate experimentalist—someone who, in her own words, “cannot leave well enough alone.” A spinner, weaver, and natural dyer specializing in cotton, she is endlessly fascinated by the ways color and design can be brought to cloth. Finding her naturally-dyed fabrics beautiful but, to her, a bit too uniform, she sought additional surface design techniques. With a background rich in mathematics but not in formal art, composition felt intimidating, yet she embraced exploration. Alongside shibori, she turned to marbling, but rather than using traditional acrylic paints, she learned to create her own paints from foraged and purchased ochres and pigments. Her curiosity led her to develop natural dye-based marbling inks years before she heard others claim it couldn’t be done. Eileen’s work is never production-based; each piece is unique, the result of countless “what if?” questions that fuel her creative journey.

Item Description: Silk scarf, marbled with handmade paints made from foraged and locally sourced ochres. The luminous silk combined with earthy, flowing marbled patterns creates a striking balance of softness and natural color, making this scarf a piece that elevates any outfit.

Pottery Sets by Lee Davis

Artist Bio:Lee Davis has been a production potter since 1976. He is known for wheel-thrown white stoneware functional pottery forms used as surfaces for multi-layered, drawing and surface painting decoration. Drawing techniques include slip trailing. Decorative motifs range from animal to flowers, leaves, and garlands rendered in blue and white. Davis also produced one-of-a-kind lamps, mirrors and larger Ikebana containers, and was the first Clay Resident Artist at the Folk School.

Item Description:

Lee Davis Kitchen Set: Featuring intricate blue floral and nature designs, this handcrafted set brings beauty and function to the kitchen. The flower frog is perfect for simple garden arrangements or seasonal centerpieces, while the garlic grater serves as a functional tool in your kitchen to add all your ingredients to for an instant dipping sauce. A versatile and artful addition to your table or countertop. You’ll even find a recipe at the bottom to try yourself!

Lee Davis Mug and Coaster Set: This handcrafted mug and matching 4-coaster by Lee Davis feature delicate blue floral and nature-inspired designs. Beautiful enough to display yet sturdy enough for daily use, the set brings artistry to your morning coffee or evening tea, and adds a thoughtful handmade touch to any table or desk.

Floral Spoon Rest: This handcrafted spoon rest by Lee Davis features delicate brushwork and a floral design on green, bringing both beauty and function to your kitchen. Perfect for resting spoons while cooking or serving, it adds a touch of handcrafted charm to your countertop or table.

Carvings by Richard Carter

Artist Bio: After retiring from the electronics industry in 2019 at age 69, Ricky discovered a new passion for woodcarving. In January 2025, at the urging of his wife’s best friend, Angela Henningfeld, he attended a Brasstown Carvers meeting, despite expecting nothing more than a room full of old men sharpening sticks, which was about the extent of his whittling experience at the time.

Item Description: Make New Friends Fawn & Skunk Carvings: A charming woodland duo! The fawn, hand-carved by Richard Carter, and the skunk, hand-carved by Angela Wynn, are both crafted from basswood and displayed on a rich walnut base. A delightful showcase of fine carving and collaboration, encouraging us to make new friends. This piece marks their first collaboration.

Carved Hitty Doll by Carolyn Anderson

Artist Bio: Carolyn Anderson is a Brasstown Carver and has been carving for many years. She knew many of the original Brasstown Carvers having grown up in the area. Carolyn has taught at schools, the Folk School, different workshops, and at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC, along with demonstrating in several Folk School Fall Festival’s and local craft shows to share her work. She is a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.

Item Description: This hand-carved Hitty doll was created by Brasstown Carver Carolyn Anderson and is inspired by the beloved literary character Hitty, also known as Mehitable, who was originally made in the 1800s for a young girl named Phoebe Preble of Maine. The included book, Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field, tells the story of their adventures and many well-loved years together.

Raccoon Carvings by Max & Betty Johnson

Artist Bio: Although she did not begin carving until later in life, Betty grew up watching the work of Nolan Beaver and other Brasstown Carvers. Her pastor, Reverend Hoyt Brown, gave Betty her first block to carve. She and her husband Max quickly became prolific carvers, often signing their pieces “JJ” for “Johnson & Johnson.”

Item Description: Hand-carved from buckeye, these two tiny raccoons capture the curious, playful spirit of the animals themselves – alert, nimble, and full of quiet mischief. Created by Brasstown Carvers Betty Evans Johnson and Max Johnson, each figure feels alive with personality and care. A warm and endearing addition to any carving collection.

Quail Carvings by Glen Brown

Artist Bio: Husband-and-wife duo Hope and Glenn both began carving around 1940. Glenn was best known for his carvings of birds, while Hope carved the first cat as well as the first infant Jesus creche figure for the Brasstown Carvers. She modeled her figurines of children on the couple’s own eight offspring. Hope also made and updated many patterns for the Brasstown Carvers. The Browns reported that the income from their carving “kept them off welfare” as they raised their family. 

Item Description: Hand-carved from warm butternut, these sweet little quail made by Brasstown Carver Glenn Brown feel full of life and personality. The soft grain of the wood and gentle shaping give each one a quiet, natural charm.

Hummingbird Pin Carving by Hoyt Brown

Artist Bio: A son of Hope and Glenn Brown, Hoyt began woodcarving in his 30s. He later learned to do woodturning as well. He continues to sell his pieces through the Folk School’s Craft Shop and other venues. In addition to doing woodwork, Hoyt is a Baptist minister.

Item Description: Hand-carved in wood by Hoyt Brown, this hummingbird pin captures the grace and motion of a favorite backyard visitor. A charming accent for a jacket, hat, scarf, or tote, it brings a touch of Appalachian craftsmanship wherever it’s worn.

March 2 – 13, 2026

Online Auction

Join us for an online auction whose proceeds support the Folk School. Bid on handcrafted ironwork and other fine craft items donated by instructors, students, staff and centennial artists. Your contributions help us uphold the legacy of the Folk School and its cherished programs.

An online preview of auction items will be available beginning Feb. 23 via GiveButter.

Forging for the Future Live Auction Centennial Artists

See the other Centennial Artists from our in-person live auction and browse their bios and donated artwork below.