Asheville Art Museum Artmob Event

ARTmob Presents: Picha Kucha Night Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 7:00 PM. $3 Museum Members; $5 Non-Members. Pack Place Lobby + Asheville Art Museum. Picha Kucha means "chit chat" in Japanese, and ARTmob will be "exhibiting" 20 images for 20 seconds each. We might see 20 images of someone's artwork, 20 images of someone's vacation or 20 images of scary clowns. There are a limited number of presenters, but no limit on our audience! We'll have fun watching while we drink and nibble on refreshments.

This is an ARTmob event that also helps kickoff opening night of the Asheville Fringe Festival. To sign up as a participant, please contact Nancy Sokolove, Adult Programs Manager at 828.253.3227, ext. 120 or nsokolove@ashevilleart.org.

The Asheville Art Museum is located at 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NorthCarolina.

Contemporary Color at Tryon Gallery

Contemporary Color is the latest exhibit to be held in The Gallery at Tryon Arts and Crafts. The community is invited to view the collection  located at 373 Harmon Field Road. Exhibit dates are November 20th  January 28th. The exhibiting artists are Kay Larch, Pat Lorenz, Jeannette Schmeichel and Suzanne Vitti. While their styles vary drastically, all four artists use a bold palette and unique design elements in their medium of choice. The artists bring together traditional methods and media, while creating quite modern works of art

HandMade in America Names New Executive Director

HandMade in America (HandMade), a leader in creative economic development in Western North Carolina, announced that it has named Gwynne Rukenbrod as the organization's new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2011. HandMade's Board made its selection after a rigorous search process that generated more than 120 applicants from across the United States.

Since 2008, Rukenbrod has served as Curator of Fine Craft at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, a nonprofit organization founded to advance education about the process, product, and history of craft. An accomplished glass artist herself, she was previously Executive Director of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, Art Curator of The Works (the Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology), and Director of Columbus' Days of Creation Arts for Kids.

Rukenbrod brings extensive experience in the management of nonprofit cultural organizations; including program development, fund-raising and donor relationships, volunteer coordination, and event production. She has worked with both rural and urban communities and built strong stakeholder coalitions in both. "HandMade in America has such a wealth of creative energy, which is no doubt inspired by the beauty of the region and the talents of its artisans. I look forward to working with the board, staff, and surrounding communities to revitalize, fulfill, and expand on the mission and vision of the organization".

"Gwynne Rukenbrod's dynamic combination of management experience and expertise as an exhibiting craft artist and curator are a perfect fit for HandMade," said Bill Lehnert, Chair of HandMade's Board. We look forward to her enthusiasm and leadership with great anticipation. Stephanie Twitty, who chaired the Search Committee for the new Executive Director, added: "It was a privilege to lead this important effort. Gwynne's skills, enthusiasm, and deep regard for craft and community speak well for the future of HandMade."

Demo and Mini-workshop on Book Arts

January 6 at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City, NC the NC Arts Council presents a Demo and Mini-workshop on Book Arts by Phyllis Jarvinen of Sylva NC. Participants will follow the stepby-step process to make a slim hardbound book during this free program. Participants can bring old maps, pretty papers or photos to use for endsheets or covers if desired.

Anyone who is interested is invited to attend free of charge. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the department of Cultural Resources.  Get details...

The 12 Scarves of Christmas contest from Sutherland Handweaving Gallery

Sutherland Handweaving Gallery and Teaching Studio is celebrating its first anniversary by inviting everyone to become a friend of its Facebook page with a little contest feature Karen and Barb call, “The 12 Scarves of Christmas.”

Starting Monday, Dec. 13 on sutherland’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/sutherland.Handweaving, through Dec. 24, they’ll post a picture of a different scarf or pashmina available for sale at sutherland. Think of it as a little inspiration for your own or your true love’s holiday gift giving. Every day someone leaves a comment on the post (a nice one we hope) his or her name will be entered in a drawing on Dec. 26 for a coupon worth 50% off one of Karen Donde’s or Barb Butler’s creations. One entry per day, please.

Featured items may be purchased in the studio or over the phone at any time, so if you have your heart set on one, best not wait! Each day Karen and Barb also will offer another gift idea from the gallery and teaching studio.

Featured NC Art and Craft Galleries: The Folk Art Center

The Folk Art Center in Asheville NC is home base for the Southern Highland Craft Guild. the Center is the hub of traditional and contemporary mountain art and crafts for the Appalachian region. With changing exhibits in both the focus gallery and the main gallery and the permanent exhibit, all styles are displayed. Demonstrations and educational opportunities as well as special events are scheduled regularly. The members shop is visited by thousands of tourists and locals annually with very good reason. It is a remarkable place and an essential center for the heritage of mountain craft heritage. Visit the ONLINE SHOP or Asheville facility at Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Parkway.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store

There is still time to order that perfect gift from the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store!   Order online 24 hours a day for beautiful handcrafted gifts from the mountains of North Carolina and enjoy free shipping on all orders over $25. Thank you for your continued support of the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree!Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store is located at 262 Oak Street, Spruce Pine NC.

Asheville Art Museum Artist of the Month

The Asheville Art Museum Shop has announced its December Artist of the Month: Bickley Studios.   Phil and Veda Bickley are self-taught artists who were drawn to the medium of glass for artistic expression at a young age.  They work independently, but also in collaborative projects. Veda's glass takes on whimsical, fluid and sensual lines while Phil's work is always confident and rich in sophisticated expression. Having worked and supported themselves as artists for more than six years, their ability to live a life fostered by their art resonates in their pieces.

Their home in the graceful rusticity of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains is also their artist's studio, so creativity is deeply etched in their everyday life. Blending the techniques of both ancient glass artisans and more modern masters, the Bickleys have developed their own systems within the flameworking community.

Quilters Quarters Holiday Happenings

Quilters Quarters, 1510 Dellwood Road, Waynesville NC offers gift certificates which can be used for classes as well as merchandise, including sales items. Product update:


"King Tut" threads are now available with 50 colors to choose from, including 7 Tone-on-Tones. The threads are 40 weight, extra-long staple Egyptian cotton and quilt up beautifully!


"Bali Pops" have arrived!!!  6 beautiful new colors...Mango Margarita, Sangria, Blue Hawaiian, Grasshopper, Zinfandel, and Pink Lemonade....we will mail them to you if needed. What a great present on a cold, blustery day!


Many new fabrics and kits will be ready to roll out on the floor once Christmas is over...just need to make room for it all. Christmas fabrics will remain on sale for 25% off for the rest of December, as well as "Buy 3, Get 1 Free" Christmas fat quarters


"Chalkboard" fabric is now back in stock...makes great placemats for kids and for travel games.


Quilters Quarters will be closing at 2:00 p.m on December 24th and will re-open at 10:00 a.m. on December 27th...if snow and ice, remember to call first!

Saluda Artist Offers Workshop

January 22 - 24  Jim Carson, Saluda artist, will offer a workshop titled "Getting Perspective Right in order to Paint Fast and Loose." Jim will be joined by Chris Sherry, an AIA architect, who teaches perspective at Johns Creek Art Center and Quinlan Visual Art Center in Atlanta.

Chris will conduct the first day of the workshop, consisting entirely of drawing. Jim will teach the application of these drawing skills to achieve loose and spontaneous paintings during the following 2 days.

The workshop will be held in Jim's studio, located above the Saluda Grade Café in Saluda, and is open to all levels of painters from beginners to advanced. Jim will do a demonstration on Saturday, and there will be a critique of the day's work at the end of each day. There will be a "get acquainted" gathering at Jim's studio on Thursday night, January 20.

The cost of the workshop is $300 and will include lunch each day, catered by the Saluda Grade Café. This workshop was sold out last January. For more information, contact Jim at 828-749-3702 or visit jimcarson.net or email jimcarson@tds.net.

Heartwood Gallery for the Holidays

Happy Holidays          from                Heartwood Gallery    Holiday Hours Monday, December 20 - Thursday, December 23 10am - 6pm Friday, December 24th  9am - 4pm Closed Saturday and Sunday December 25th & 26th Closed Saturday and Sunday January 1st & 2nd Heartwood Gallery 21 East Main Street Saluda, North Carolina 28773 828-749-9365 heartwoodsaluda.com

John C Campbell Folk School Announces Ground Breaking

John C Campbell announces they have broken ground on the Jewelry Studio expansion. An additional 600 square feet will be added to the main room, which will include a new, handicap accessible bathroom. The existing bathroom will be converted into storage space. The studio will also benefit from more cabinet space for jewelry, kaleidoscope, and stained glass tools.


The total fund raising goal for this project is $45,000 with $17,220 currently raised. Resident Artist of Jewelry, Barbara Joiner, is coordinating an ongoing raffle to help raise funds. Items to be raffled include a hand built dulcimer by local instructor, Jack Smoot, and fine jewelry pieces by local artists.

There will be four more drawings and two names will be selected each time. Drawing dates are:
February 14, April 1, June 19, July 28, Raffle tickets are $2 a piece or three for $5. Please contact Barbara Joiner at 828-837-9778 if you would like to purchase tickets or make a donation.

Featured Gallery: The Artists Theatre on East Main

The Artists Theatre on East Main is a stunning art and antique gallery helping rejuvenate the area's small but active art community. The mix of old and new, traditional and funky, past and unexpected artistic pleasures has created a real buzz and excitement in the high country.

The building, built around 1900 has housed a variety of businesses including the first Ford auto dealership in the 1920's, a movie theater in the 30's and 40's, used furniture store in the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's and an office in the 90's.  Now it is perhaps the most unusual gallery you will ever see. Patrons constantly comment on the beauty and aesthetic environment the gallery provides.  Owned and operated by artists Steve and Lisa Willingham the gallery is an experience you will remember and want to tell your friends about.

The Artists Theatre is located at 8 East Main St in West Jefferson, NC.

Asheville Art Museum Offers Travel Opportunity

Asheville Art Museum Travels to Los Angeles!  The Museum will be visiting the beautiful city of Los Angeles, California June 7 - 12, 2011. The city and environs boast fabulous museums, galleries and private collections, not to mention great culinary opportunities.

The trip offers great museum experiences and a visit to one of the finest private American Modernist art collections in the nation, as well as excellent restaurants and first-class accommodations at the Montage Beverly Hills. Among the museums we will visit are the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), The Huntington and the LA MOCA.

The Museum's Executive Director Pam Myers will be leading the trip and several of her friends and colleagues at these institutions will help make our tours spectacular. To receive the full itinerary and the reservation form, please contact Nancy Sokolove at 828.253.3227, ext. 120 or nsokolove@ashevilleart.org.
Cost: Double Occupancy: $2,860 A non-refundable deposit of $750* per person is due by December 21, 2010. Final payment will be billed and due by March 1, 2011. *This includes a $200 donation to the Asheville Art Museum.

Open studio hours, classes and events At River Arts District

Saturday, December 11 at the River Arts District visit open studios, attend classes and workshops or do some great Christmas shopping. Visit the site for directions and links to individual studios and artist:
Weaving I-Three Warps, Three Towels - All day
10 am-4 pm :: Cloth Fiber Workshop - All day
10am-4pm :: Potters Mark - All day
10am-6pm :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art - All day
10am-6pm :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts - All day
11am-4pm :: CURVE studios & garden - All day
11am-4pm :: Warehouse Studios - All day
9:30am-3:30pm :: 310 ART (Riverview Station)
9:00am  - John Mac Kah - Painting in Oils -Studio Classes
10:00am  - Resident Artists Holiday Discount Pottery Sale & Fundraiser
10:00am  - Creative Collage: Fabric Cards
12:00pm  - Weave a Twill Gamp Class
1:00pm  - John Mac Kah- Open Air Painting - Landscape Classes
2:00pm - Jonas Paints Live at 2pm every Second Saturday in Studio

Chimney Rock Park Naturalist Series - Handmade Holidays

Dec 18, Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock NC. Taking our cues from the natural world, participants will make a beautiful handmade craft just in time for the holiday season.



Click here to register online now. Pre-registration is preferred. Day-of registrations will be accepted, but guests should call the Ticket Plaza at (828) 625-9281 to confirm the event is proceeding as scheduled.

Cost:

$35 for Adults, $30 for Annual Passholders, $25 for ages 6-15, $15 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (includes Park admission for the day).

Opening Recption for The Olmsted Project at the Asheville Art Museum

Opening Reception, The Olmsted Project: Photographs by Lee Friedlander
Friday, December 10, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Free with Museum Membership or Admission

Lee Friedlander (1934- ) is one of this country's preeminent photographers. Among his projects, Friedlander photographed the work of Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of the Niagara Reservation (North America's oldest state park), Washington Park, the U.S. Capitol Building landscape, parkway systems in Buffalo and Louisville, New York City's Central Park and the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Rambling with his camera through the parks' open meadows and densely wooded areas, Friedlander explores Olmsted's landscapes - the meticulous stonework, the balance of sun and shade, the mature trees and the saplings. Friedlander creates an appreciation for Olmsted's parks as invented worlds, not sublime landscapes, designed to delight the eye and offer, as Olmsted wrote, "healthful recreation" for the public. By providing worthy testimony to our era's renewed interest in preserving the finest landscape architecture of the 19th century, Friedlander's black-and-white photographs celebrate the essential pleasures of seeing and being in Olmsted's living works of art.

This exhibition was organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum. This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation with local support from Kerns Landscape Architecture, Equinox Environmental and Terri Long Landscape Design, Inc. The Museum is grateful for the support of Janet Borden, Inc., New York City in helping organize this exhibition.

Image credit:  Lee Friedlander, Biltmore, 1994, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches. 2008 Collectors' Circle Purchase. Asheville Art Museum Collection. 2008.36.02.91.

Art Supplies Sales

Closeout art supplies at Jerry's Artarama - The Artist's Supplier & Resource Leader since 1967 offers the highest quality art supplies and materials at discounted prices. Online since 1999, we have over 20,000 products available. Our popular categories include Acrylic Paints and Mediums, Easels, Canvas, Oil Color Paints, Pastels, Watercolors, and Brushes.

Daniel Smith Online Store  Daniel Smith, Finest Quality Artists' Materials has been a trusted manufacturer and seller of art supplies since 1977. Daniel Smith is committed to offering outstanding quality art supplies, products, value and savings to the artist community. We offer artists over 12,000 sku’s of watercolor, acrylic and oil paints, sticks, brushes, pastels, charcoal, inks and printmaking supplies.

Blick Art Materials  Started in 1911, Dick Blick Art Materials is one of the largest suppliers in the nation. We are the premier art supplies source for professional artists, students and teachers.

Annual Christmas in the Mountains Arts and Crafts Show in Robbinsville NC

Christmas in the Mountains Arts & Crafts Show is this Saturday, December 11 from 10am to 5pm. The Stecoah Artisans Guild and the Stecoah Gallery are hosting the second Annual Christmas in the Mountains Arts and Crafts Show. This indoor show will feature local artisan booths in a festive holiday atmosphere. A children's crafts room for ages 4 and up will be staffed beginning at 11am so the little ones can be entertained while you shop. Santa will be here too!

Shop the Gallery Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm and choose from hundreds of handcrafted items from over 125 local and regional artists. The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road Stecoah (Robbinsville), NC.

Guild Artist Holiday SHow at The Folk Art Center

Dec 14 from 10 AM to 4PM the Folk Art Center hosts the Southern Highland's Craft Guild's Holiday Sale. Next weekend will be a great time to visit the Folk Art Center. Meet Guild members and do some serious Christmas shopping, receive awesome discounts, and support mountain artists and the local economy. Happy Holidays from the Southern Highland Craft Guild!


The Folk Art center is located at MP 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC.

Holiday Art and Craft Studio Tour Today in Spruce Pine

Dec 3 - 5   Head for Spruce Pine and the Holiday Studio Tour. Nearly 150 artists in this mountain community open their studios to public for this popular annual event. View the Map to the studios or   pick up a Guide at the Toe River Arts Council on Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine.

The Guide features 40 pages filled with colored photographs of artwork from each participant as well as a section featuring our local sponsors, who are supporting the tour. The TRAC Tour committee, a volunteer group of artists, works year-round to insure the success of the Toe River Studio Tours. This is one example of their years' of work.

Some locations host clusters of artists, a boon to those following the trail, where a visitor can meet more than one artist at each stop or vicinity. The tours are held the same time every year-the second weekend in June and the first weekend in December.

The 12 Days of Christmas at The Echo Gallery

The Twelve Days of Christmas

submitted by The Echo Gallery,  8 Town Square Blvd, Suite 160  Asheville, NC

Echo Gallery at Biltmore Park invites you to join us for an Artist Reception to celebrate the holidays and our December exhibit of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, by Leo Monahan. The Artist Reception will take place on Friday, December 10 from 5 to 8pm. The exhibit consists of twelve original paper sculptures that were created as illustrations for the book "The Twelve Days of Christmas", which is also on display.

Leo will also give a talk and demonstration of his incredible work on Wednesday, December 15, from 6:00 - 7:00pm.

In addition, Echo Gallery proudly presents the work of fine artists and craftspeople from around the Asheville area. When you visit, you'll also find work that includes functional and decorative ceramics and tile, decorative and wearable textiles, jewelry, ornaments, furniture, sculpture, paintings, encaustics, pencil drawings, plush toys, accessories, and more.

Don't forget! Biltmore Park has it all: Dinner...movies... shopping... and art! Come and spend the evening with us. (Please help us spread the word - - invite your friends by forwarding this email!) Directions from Asheville:
• South on I-26 to Long Shoals Road Exit 37
• Turn left at end of ramp
• Left past McDonalds (second light) onto Schenck Parkway
• 3/4 around the traffic circle onto Town Square Blvd
• Echo Gallery is on the right: Suite 160

Cloth Fiber Workshop - limited space!

Dec 11, 10 AM - 5 PM at Cloth Fiber Workshop  - Creative Collage: Fabric Cards with Heather Allen-Swarttouw. Working with a wide variety of one-of-a-kind handmade fabrics, you'll learn how to collage and layer them to make wonderful unique images. Like a mini sketch, cards are a wonderful size and perfect vehicle to experiment and explore creative ideas. Using embroidery you can add accents to your designs. With the simple techniques you'll learn in this class, and your left over fabrics, you'll be able to make postcards and cars sets for holiday gifts, special occasions, or frame them! Level: all levels, fee: $85 + materials.

 
This Workshop is almost full, register now to assure your space! For the complete fall schedule and workshop materials lists, please see the Class Description page on our website. To register for workshops call 828.505.2958; stop by the studio, Mon-Sat, 10 am - 4 pm, or register online.  Cloth Fiber Workshop is located at Cotton Mill Studios, 122 Riverside Dr., Studio D, Asheville, NC.

Ashe Count Arts Center Christmas Event

This Saturday, Dec. 4th, the Ashe Arts Center is the place to be! First, pictures with Santa (registration required, $2/child), story time with Ms. Claus, arts and crafts, and milk & cookies from 8:30-10:30am. Then, meet and greet the Arts Council Staff from 10am-4pm. And finally, take in the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, miniature paintings and handmade ornaments. Enjoy holiday refreshments and shopping. The tree and miniatures display is available through Dec. 29th, Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm and Sat. from 10-4. Call 336-846-ARTS to sign up for photos and for more info.