​​​If you’re looking to BE inspired, Burnsville will exceed your expectations. The history of contemporary craft, thanks in part to the renowned Penland School of Craft, has been written across the generations in the studios of countless glass blowers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, jewelers, and more, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized.

Downtown Burnsville is home to the Toe River Arts Gallery. Founded in 1976 as the Toe River Arts Council, Toe River Arts promotes art and art education in Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery Counties. Since 1992, it has partnered with area artists to host the twice annual Toe River Art Studio Tour, inviting visitors to engage with artists in their respective studios.

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To BE or not to BE

The Parkway Playhouse, located adjacent to the Yancey County Public Library, boasts the title of oldest continually operating summer theater in North Carolina. In addition to its annual mainstage performances, the theater also sponsors an annual playwriting festival with the winning play performed on the mainstage the following year.

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BE a part of the story.

Since 2006, the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival has been bringing readers and
authors together in downtown Burnsville to celebrate a love of literature in the Southern Appalachians. Both readers and authors appreciate the event’s intimate settings.