We Make Penland 2020

Big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Giving Day Gathering just now—so special to see some favorite Penland faces from near and far!

And, of course, a GIANT thank you to everyone who has contributed to make this day a success! Your love and support for Penland today has us positively beaming.

(Oh yeah, also... there's no expiration date on those cookie recipes we sent around. Make a batch and think of your Penland family while you enjoy!)

These are the people who've been steering Penland through all the challenges of this year. You may not always see their work directly when you're on campus for a workshop or a gallery visit, but their dedication and leadership shapes every aspect of our campus. Thank you, Penland directors!

Update: we’re over 2/3 of the way to our Giving Day goal! Big hugs and thanks to everyone who has participated so far by making a gift, posting a story, and spreading the word. 

The highlight of today for us has been getting to read so many of your reflections on time spent here in our studios (not to mention so many incredible old photos!). If there’s a testament to the power of the Penland experience, then surely it’s the fact that so many of you have been part of this community in different capacities for so long. We love seeing photos of our instructors back when they were core fellows and our lifelong students in their very first workshops. And someday, a handful of Giving Days from now, we look forward to seeing some of you students return to share your wisdom and artistry as instructors and residents. The cycle of this community is a beautiful thing indeed.

#WeMakePenland—little by little, over and over, with openness and care

Have you gotten a chance to browse through the #WeMakePenland posts yet? There are some really incredible ones, from touching to hilarious to downright cool.

Below is a tiny sampling. See more here!

To celebrate each of you who give so much to this community, we’re hosting a Giving Day Gathering tonight on Zoom! It will kick off at 8:15 PM with a greeting from Penland Coffee Queen Crystal Thomas herself, as well as Penland director Mia Hall and a few other faces from the Penland universe. So bring your favorite warm beverage and tune in—you can even bake a batch of Coffeehouse cookies to get the ambiance just right!

Cookie recipes, info about joining the Zoom gathering, and more at the top of this page. We can’t wait to see you tonight!

#WeMakePenland a space that’s open to ideas, to questions, and to creative exploration. It’s that spirit that has made time in Penland’s studios so transformative for thousands of Penland artists. As one student put it, “Penland always takes the best you have to give and encourages it to a whole other level. It takes your personal creative barriers and blows them away.”

Have you had a pivotal moment at Penland? Or perhaps met someone who steered you in a new direction? Or been encouraged to try something you never imagined you could do before? Tell us! Reading your #WeMakePenland posts is absolutely one of the highlights of our Giving Day.

And, if you’re able, please give back with a gift—it’s only thanks to all of you that Penland can do what it does so well! Big thanks to everyone who has already donated and gotten us to an early head start!

This year has been a tough one for craft schools and creatives alike. Heck, it’s been a tough one for all of us. But it’s also shone the spotlight squarely on the grit and tenacity and adaptability of our artist community. We’re proud of each of you who have found ways to make and dream and explore these past few months, and we’re proud to still be here—maintaining Penland as a space for creativity and possibility.

Your support and commitment to Penland is what keeps this place thriving—on Giving Day and every day. Make your gift now to show your support!

HERE WE GO!!! 24 hours to raise $ and love for Penland starts now!

It’s been quiet at Penland recently, but starting our Giving Day challenge off with a group photo still seemed like the obvious choice. After all, even though we haven’t been able to welcome you to our studios this year, we’ve still been connecting in important ways big and small. From sharing gallery exhibitions and instructor content online to hosting our first virtual auction to engaging with you all right here, COMMUNITY has been the consistent thread through our year. We are so grateful for each and every one of you who makes Penland the vibrant, creative, quirky, dedicated, caring, inspiring place that it is. #WeMakePenland is truer now than it ever was.

So today, let’s band together and make something special happen! Our goal is to generate 350 gifts and a tidal wave of positive energy for Penland. Please post your favorite Penland memories using the #WeMakePenland hashtag, share with your family and friends, and give what you are able. Whether that’s $5 or $105, it makes a big impact on our school and the whole Penland community.

Show Penland some love today!