Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum for its third year of Winter Workshops, taking place on Saturdays for three consecutive weekends in January. This year, the museum is focusing on ecology, plantcraft and storytelling, with workshops taught by excellent (and entertaining!) instructors, highly respected in their fields. Storyteller and naturalist Doug Elliott will begin the series with a workshop on January 15th on Crafting Stories from Nature. Participants will take a ramble on the campus of Christmount Christian Assembly, then retire to the Assembly’s guest house (with a warm fire waiting) to listen to Doug’s storytelling and develop stories of their own. In the second workshop, taking place on January 22nd, taught by master basket maker Nancy Basket, participants will learn to weave their own freeform kudzu vine baskets while Nancy tells stories from Cherokee traditions. In the last workshop of the series, taking place on January 29th, professional folklorist and forager Rebecca Beyer will deliver a lecture on the practice of Planting by the Signs in Appalachia. Participants will learn how the tradition of planting by the astrological signs spread from Europe to Appalachia, and how they can carry on this traditional gardening technique! Whether you want to strengthen your skills as a storyteller, make something with your hands, or plan ahead for your spring garden, take this opportunity to increase your knowledge of Appalachian traditions in a fun and interactive learning environment!

Series Cost: $75 for museum members, $115 for non-members. SERIES SALES END ON DECEMBER 31st. Gift certificates can be provided if anyone wishes to buy a series as a holiday gift. 

Cost per Individual Workshop: $35 for museum members, $45 for non-members. Some fees apply.

Locations: Doug Elliott’s workshop will take place at the Christmount Christian Assembly in Black Mountain- and the workshop will take place outdoors weather permitting. Nancy Basket and Rebecca Beyer’s workshops will take place at the Black Mountain Public Library, with Rebecca’s workshop taking place online if circumstances call for a remote gathering. See individual workshop descriptions for more details.

Time: Workshops take place Saturdays, starting at 1pm on January 15th, 22nd and 29th and last approximately 2-3 hours. Check event pages for more details.

Covid Protocol: All events are in person and are capped at 20 participants. Participants are required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth and to distance during the event. Anyone experiencing symptoms of covid-19 or experiencing a possible risk of exposure is asked to stay safe and stay at home!

Cancelations: In the event that one or more events are canceled due to inclement weather, attendees will be notified of a replacement date. In the event of a full cancelation, attendees will receive a check refund.

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE FULL SERIES AT THE LINK BELOW. OTHERWISE USE THE LINKS BELOW THE BUTTON TO REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS.

January 15th: Crafting Stories from Nature

January 22nd: Crafting Kudzu Baskets

Janury 29th: Plating by the Signs in Appalachia