For the second straight year, North Carolina’s new state transportation map showcases the state’s heritage of craft tradition, its artisans and the world-renowned works they create.

The map, printed by the N.C. Department of Transportation, prominently features the Celebration of North Carolina Craft, as proclaimed by Gov. Mike Easley. The map gives an overview of the two-year Celebration, highlighting craft destinations like North Carolina’s official “Pottery Highway,” a strip of N.C. 705 boasting more than 100 pottery shops and galleries, and it gives a glimpse of Tar Heel artisans and artworks, featuring a glass piece by Penland School of Crafts glass artist Richard Ritter.

North Carolina is already one of the nation’s top three craft destinations, and one of the Top 10 states for cultural and heritage tourism, according to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIAA) and Smithsonian magazine. The new state map will help direct travelers to the Celebration of Craft Web site, www.DiscoverCraftNC.org, to plan travel itineraries and learn more about craft-based organizations such as museums, galleries, schools and art centers.

“Spotlighting North Carolina craft on the state map is another measure of the great value Tar Heels place on our craft tradition,” said N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Libba Evans. “This map does more than brag, though. It can help you find your next shopping expedition, vacation or weekend getaway – and help you get there.”

To order a free copy of the state map, citizens may call the NCDOT Customer Service Office toll free at 1-877-DOT-4YOU from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting the department’s Web site at www.ncdot.org/public/publications.

In addition, some 2 million copies of the map will be available at North Carolina’s Visitor Centers.