Permanent Collection

While Arrowmont as a craft school has been in existence since 1945 and informal displays of instructor work had been exhibited during the summer workshops it was not until 1970, after the completion of the main educational building on campus, was there a well adapted and large exhibition space. With this new gallery equipped to showcase work year round a permanent collection was created through donations from instructors and studio assistants. Over the last few decades the permanent collection has steadily expanded and now includes nearly 1,000 works in a variety of arts and crafts media. The permanent collection is endowed in honor of former director Sandy Blain, who worked for more than two decades to enhance the collection. Made by the hands of current and past Arrowmont instructors, individuals from the settlement school’s days, and past artists-in-residence, the works represent the arts and craft school’s history, present, and future. Works in the permanent collection are on display throughout the grounds and buildings of the school all year and are celebrated with an exhibition in the Sandra J. Blain Galleries annually.