Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a community of skilled craftspeople has spent decades building not only their careers and studios, but also strong bonds of friendship and mutual support. Attracted by the area's natural beauty and calm, they forged meaningful lives rooted in creativity and collaboration—mentoring new generations who now carry on their legacy.

In 1998, a shared sense of purpose inspired eight founding artists—Silvie Granatelli, Ellen Shankin, Brad Warstler, Donna Polseno, Rick Hensley, Davin Butterfield, Susan Icove, and David Crane—to form 16 Hands, a collective dedicated to connecting more deeply with those who appreciate their work. Rather than holding separate studio sales at different times, they unified their efforts into a single, coordinated studio tour. This annual event now offers visitors a richer, more immersive experience across multiple studios in one weekend.