A MUST SEE! The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association (The Art Center) is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2010. During the last 30 years, our mission has been to provide opportunities in the realm of art for personal growth of the individual and the economic growth of our community. Over the years, our festivals have become tourist engines for our county and the City of Blue Ridge. The funds raised by these festivals are pivotal to the fiscal viability of The Art Center and bring in needed tax dollars to our city and county governments. Local businesses, also, benefit from the many visitors who attend these festivals. Our programs to support and grow an artist community have borne fruit with the exciting growth of the Southern Appalachian Artist Guild (SAAG) and the Blue Ridge Mountain Photographers (BRMP). The SAAG National Juried Exhibit has brought national attention to our artists, our town and our organization.