estern North Carolina is known as a cultural epicenter of a variety of heritage arts and crafts, bringing thousands of people to the area every year in search of goods and instruction. Two well-known folk schools in the region – Penland School of Crafts, and J.C. Campbell Folk School  – each located less than two hours from Dillsboro, have drawn national and international attention for their efforts to rekindle interest in the traditional heritage arts. Within 20 miles of Dillsboro are Western Carolina University with its Studio Art BFA and MFA programs, and Haywood Community College, which has a nationally acclaimed professional crafts program. 

Dillsboro is a quaint small town, boasting many craft studios, shops and galleries.  When the Jackson County Commissioners initially held a community meeting to discuss possible end users of the landfill gas, it was a natural fit to create artisan studios, focusing on craft forms that use gas as their fuel source. Blacksmith, Pottery, and Glass Blowing studios were determined to have the greatest fuel costs, and it was decided that JCGEP would encourage the success of new artisans by acting as a business incubator, offering fully functional studios and free LFG as fuel during the 1-3 year tenancies. The JCGEP craft program was modeled after the Energy Xchange, a pioneer landfill/craft business incubator located in Burnsville, NC.

Our Crafts Ventures —

Blacksmithing Village — Completed in summer 2007, the GEP Blacksmith Village features the first and only blacksmith forges fired on landfill gas. MORE

Glass Blowing Studios — We are excited to report that our hot and cold glass shops are almost completed. MORE

Pottery Studios — Construction of the pottery studios is estimated to begin in summer of 2010. MORE