For the past twenty-one years Arts and Crafts enthusiasts - including new collectors, veterans, curators, craftspersons, authors, builders, architects, designers, editors, and bungalow owners - have traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains and The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa for the annual Arts & Crafts Conference and Antiques Show.

Founded in 1988 by author, collector and former high school English teacher, Bruce Johnson, the Arts & Crafts Conference and Antiques Show has been recognized for more than two decades for its dedication to the education of the Arts & Crafts collector. Each February Johnson brings to the Grove Park Inn the foremost authorities, authors, dealers, publishers, speakers and craftspersons from across the country - all assembled each year in one historic hotel for one historic weekend. New collectors learn more here in one weekend than they can in an entire year anywhere else. And experienced collectors keep coming back to renew treasured friendships and to increase their knowlege and appreciation for the Arts & crafts movement.

If you had come to The Grove Park Inn in 1913, you could have sat in Roycroft chairs, read under Roycroft chandeliers, relaxed in Old Hickory rockers, and purchased Newcomb, Pisgah, and Roseville pottery, along with Roycroft metalware and books. And, if you come in February, you still can!

The Conference happens each February, when more than 2000 Arts & Crafts collectors from across the country converge on the most famous Arts & Crafts resort in the world for three days of seminars, tours, books, demonstrations, workshops, food, friendships, special exhibits, works by contemporary craftsfirms and, of course, antiques.

Recognized for its emphasis on the education of the collector, this conference has set the standard by which other Arts & Crafts events are measured, providing collectors with the opportunity to see more, learn more and do more in three days than most of us could in an entire year.

The seven seminar presenters arrive knowing that they will be speaking to one of the most demanding - and appreciative - audiences they will ever face. The leaders of the numerous Small Group Discussions are so enthused about their subject that they often volunteer months in advance.

And this is not 'just another show' for the 125 antiques dealers and craftsfirms. Most of the exhibitors spend months assembling their inventory for this show, for with a limited amount of booth space, they know they have to bring exactly what you are looking for - and at a price you can afford. Regardless whether you are looking for new or old, this is a buying show.

The Books, Magazines and More Show continues to grow in popularity. Here is your opportunity to get autographed copies of new Arts & Crafts books, find out-of-print reference books or one signed by the prolific Elbert Hubbard himself.