The Southern Highland Craft Guild is pleased to present Lyrical Tendencies, a spring Focus Gallery exhibition on view March 28 through June 14, 2026, at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bringing together five accomplished makers working across diverse media, the exhibition explores rhythm, movement, and expressive form in contemporary Appalachian craft.

Lyrical Tendencies highlights work by Lee Entrekin (flutes), Anikka Jaan (leather), Jenna Ashcraft (glass), Barry Rhodes (clay), and Aaron Iaquinto (wood). Though varied in material and technique, each artist shares an approach rooted in sensitivity to line, balance, and the subtle gestures that give handmade work its voice.

Across the exhibition, functional and sculptural forms suggest musical phrasing, poetic restraint, and quiet movement. From the fluid curves of wood and clay to the delicate precision of glass, leather, and sound-making instruments, Lyrical Tendencies invites viewers to experience craft as an expressive language—one shaped by the maker’s hand, material, and intention.

The Focus Gallery series spotlights smaller, concept-driven exhibitions that encourage close looking and thoughtful engagement with contemporary craft practices. This spring presentation reflects the Guild’s ongoing commitment to showcasing both innovation and tradition within the Southern Highlands.

The exhibition is free and open to the public during regular Folk Art Center hours (Open Daily, 10am-5pm).