FIND WHAT
YOU LOVE.
Just outside of downtown in Cedar Bluff, the Appalachian Arts and Events Center is a pillar of Virginia’s creative community.
Hosting curated collections of the region’s finest artisan crafts and handmade goods, the AAC is more than a marketplace —it’s a longstanding initiative committed to featuring local artists and makers and their works. All artworks displayed on-site are sourced within 100 miles of the center.
Founded as part of Southwest Virginia Community College, the AAC opened in 2007 at its first location in the former Archie Helton Store. Following the college’s purchase of the Historic Grist Mill in Cedar Bluff in 2020, the AAC relocated to the former grist mill, where it reopened for business in November 2021.
The new building includes classroom space for hosting classes and workshops above the marketplace, conference rooms, as well as a spacious, rustic ballroom overlooking the Clinch River. So far, Lowe added, the events center has already been a sought-after destination for weddings, meetings, and parties.
“The decision was made to move the Arts Center into this beautiful, historic building in order to better showcase local artisans, provide better and larger spaces to hold community classes, and to provide a much needed event space,” said Susan Lowe, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of Educational Foundation at Southwest Virginia Community College.
In the process of selecting goods and creative works for display, Stacy Brooks, coordinator of the AAC, said it was critical for the team to find makers who could “represent our unique Appalachian style.” The center currently features about 40 artists who specialize in various art forms, from leather works, to stained glass, to coffee, to quilts and more.
For Lowe, having the opportunity to promote fellow southern Virginians’ creativity and culture has been a privilege.
“We have a commitment to the local artisans and craftspeople in our region and we are honored to display their talent and works,” Lowe added. “It makes us so proud when customers come in and talk about the beauty of the items on display. There are so many talented and creative individuals in the Appalachian region!”
The Appalachian Arts and Events Center is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about event rentals, contact [email protected]. Follow the Appalachian Arts and Events Center’s website, Facebook, and Instagram for updates about community classes and workshops.
Tazewell County, Virginia is nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1799, the county has a rich history spanning generations and is home to some of the best outdoor recreation experiences available in the region!
