April Clases and Workshops at Tryon Arts and Crafts

At Tryon Arts and Crafts Spring is here and so is an abundance of classes and workshops for you to take during the month of April:

·         April 2 and 3 - Basic Blacksmithing Weekend Workshop with Lynda Metcalfe

·         April 9and 10 - Intermediate Silversmithing Weekend Workshop with Dan Haga

·         April 9and 10- Basic Leather Knife Sheath Construction Workshop with Rick Lowe

·         April 30 and May 1- Intermediate Wire-Wrap Weekend Workshop with Sonia Arnold

·         April 30 and May 1 - Flintknapping Weekend Workshop with Bill Mosseller

Additional information about  classes and workshops is available at www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org  and   828.859.8323.

Asheville Art Museum Hosts "Up for Discussion"

April 7, 6 PM - 9PM at The Diana Wortham Theatre. Up For Discussion: An Evening with Karen Karnes and Special Guests    A special evening talk with artist Karen Karnes, author/biographer Mark Shapiro, and artist Paulus Berensohn. The discussion will be moderated by scholar, curator, and former Executive Director of the American Craft Council Andrew Glasgow.

Karnes, a former Black Mountain College faculty member, is the subject of our exhibition A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes; Shapiro is the editor of the monograph of the same title. This discussion is followed by a book signing and reception at the Asheville Art Museum. The Museum's galleries will remain open from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. to ticket holders for this event. $3 Museum Members; $5 Non-Members

Asheville Artwalks Begin 2011 Season

April 1  The Asheville Downtown Galleries Walk  begins the season's self-guided tour this weekend. The every-other-month event provides the opportunity to explore the diversity of art in downtown Asheville. The walks take place from 5 PM to 8 PM on April1, June 3, August 5, October 7 and December 2 for 2011.
The Asheville Downtown Gallery Association has Twenty-two downtown galleries for you to visit that are listed on the Downtown Gallery Guide with a map to help you along the way at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Asheville Art Museum Shop Artist of the Month

Museum Shop March Artist of the Month: Sondra Dorn

Sondra Dorn is a full time studio artist living in Asheville, North Carolina. She received her MFA from the

University of Washington in 1996. Following graduate school, Dorn went on to a one year Artist in Residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and then a three-year Artist in residence at Penland School of Crafts in Penland, North Carolina. She was also a CORE fellowship student at Penland between the years 1992 through 1994.

This weekend's Open Studios at the River Arts District

At the River Arts District Studios and Restaurants are open year around. Visit the River Arts District to explore working artist studios open to the public.  Restaurants in the River Arts District include 12 Bones Smokehouse, Clingman Cafe, The Magnetic Field and Roots Cafe at the Grey Eagle. Coming Soon: White Duck Taco Shop and The Junction. Try organic juice and tea at Nourish & Flourish, and our neighborhood Microbrewery: The Wedge Brewing Company. Open Studios this weekend:
Friday, March 25
10 am-4 pm :: Cloth Fiber Workshop
10am-4pm :: Potters Mark
10am-6pm :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
11am-4pm :: CURVE studios & garden
11am-4pm :: Warehouse Studios
8:30am-6pm :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
9:30am-3:30pm :: 310 ART (Riverview Station)
9:30am   Handwoven Lace Workshop
Saturday, March 26
10 am-4 pm :: Cloth Fiber Workshop
10am-4pm :: Potters Mark
10am-6pm :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
10am-6pm :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
11am-4pm :: CURVE studios & garden
11am-4pm :: Warehouse Studios
9:30am-3:30pm :: 310 ART (Riverview Station)
9:00am   John Mac Kah - Painting in Oils -Studio Classes
9:30am   Encaustic Workshop
9:30am   Handwoven Lace Workshop
10:00am  The Art of Pit Firing with Nathan Neufeld
10:00am   Nia Class at Nourish & Flourish at 10:15 am
1:00pm   John Mac Kah- Open Air Painting - Landscape Classes
Sunday, March 27
11am-4pm :: CURVE studios & garden
12pm-6pm :: Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
1pm-6pm :: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
9:30am-3:30pm :: 310 ART (Riverview Station)
9:30am    Encaustic Workshop
9:30am   Handwoven Lace Workshop

Last Week for the First Ever Sale

SALE!  $25.60

The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree project continues to celebrate its customers and the community with its first ever sale for one more week. The sale began the first week in March and continues through the 31st. A 20 percent off sale is offered on most of the products in the store. Other products will be offered at half off. There has never been a sale on the handmade products at the store.

This sale, and the month long events, is a great time for customers to visit the store or shop online to enjoy the savings as well as to see the new products on display. The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree store is located at 262 Oak Street, in historic downtown Spruce Pine NC

"An Inside View" Asheville Art Museum Exhibit

March 18 - July 10 the HOLDEN COMMUNITY GALLERY at The Asheville Art Museum exhibits An Inside View. "The exterior cannot do without the interior..." - Stephen Gardiner, Architect.

An Inside View examines the concept of interior environments as interpreted by a number of artists throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The word "interior" suggests defined spaces whether they be the interior of a building or a city or even a region. Drawn from the collection of the Asheville Art Museum, this exhibition looks at those interiors familiar to us - in homes, work spaces and public buildings and moves outward to consider interiors within cities and regions.  Read more...

Included in the exhibition are works by regional artists such as Bayard Wootten, Anthony Lord, Will Henry Stevens and Mark Peiser as well as artists external to the region such as Irving Kriesbert, Raphael Soyer and Margaret Bourke-White.

This exhibition was organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum and sponsored by Village Antiques and Interiors, Inc. and received additional support from Ray Griffin and Thom Robinson. The Asheville Art Museum is located at 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC.

Happy Birthday Quilter's Quarters

April 1 Quilters Quarters in Waynesville celebrates its 4th Birthday with a party. There will be door prizes, lots of sales, cake, and finger foods.  The shop will be staying open till 8:00 p.m. on Friday the 1st  and will have "Make & Takes" for 8 people who SIGN-UP from 4-6:00 and 6-8:00 on Friday and 1-3:00 on Saturday. You will just need your machine + B.S.S...materials will be provided... cost will be $15 a person, but it is limited to those who sign up.

"Quilt Pink"Donation Quilt : Baggies ready for you to pick up to help us make blocks for Quilter's Quarters donation quilt. Most of the fabric is provided - you just need to add a 3-1/2" piece of your own fabric. It can be any shade of pink, printed or not. When you return the block, you will receive a free fat quarter!! This quilt is for Haywood county for free mammograms or women who need cancer counseling.

Quilter's Quarters is located at 1510 Dellwood Road in Waynesville, NC.

John C Campbell Folk School Announces Successful Fund Raiser

Empty Bowls Raises Over $7,600

Subbmitted by John C Campbell Folk School

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Empty Bowls event last Saturday. Through ticket sales, extra bowl purchases, and the brown bag raffle, over $7,600 was raised, which will directly benefit local Clay and Cherokee County food banks. This annual fundraiser provides vital support to food banks which are serving more families than ever.

Participants enjoyed late afternoon sunshine and live music as they waited in the line that wound down the red rail outside the Dining Hall. On the screened in porch, they selected the perfect hand made bowl, and proceeded to the Dining Hall, where they enjoyed a delicious meal.

We thank everyone who came to Empty Bowls, the 20 local potters who donated their time and talent to make over 600 bowls, volunteers, musicians, and the Dining Hall staff.

National Quilting Day at the Folk Art Center TODAY

March 19 10 AM to 4 PM in  Asheville NC the National Quilting Day  is marked by  Members of  the Asheville Quilt Guild. The group will host an exhibition of log cabin quilts at the Folk Art Center including Modern and vintage quilts., as well as demonstrations. Visitors may bring their own quilts for evaluation.

This year's Guild project is the Log Cabin Quilt. A free pattern and instructions can be found at:  www.nqaquilts.org.

Spring Classes and the Season's First Show at Penland

One-Week Spring Classes  -  Would you like to get away for a week this spring and learn something new? That's great! There are still available spaces in some one-week spring concentration classes.

One-week session 2: April 10 - 16:
Clay: Glaze Calculation with Jeff Zamek
Textiles: Weaving in Full Color with Kathrin Weber
Print: Innovations in Contemporary Printmaking with Scott Ludwig
Click here for complete class and registration information.

Kiln Building Workshop

Ever been interested in building your own kiln? Love salt firing and want to learn more? Here is your chance -  a two-week salt kiln building intensive led by local potter and kiln builder Shane Mickey, April 17 - 30.
Click here for more information and a downloadable application form.

Karen Karnes Vessel

Many Paths: A Legacy of Karen Karnes

The Penland Gallery is open (Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm, Sunday: 12-5 pm), and the first show of the season, Many Paths: A Legacy of Karen Karnes, will open to the public on Tuesday, March 22nd, running until Sunday, May 8th, with a reception on Friday, April 8th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The show features the work of living legend ceramicist Karen Karnes and fourteen artists whose lives and work have been touched by her. An online catalog of the exhibition will be available soon.

Click here for a complete schedule of 2011 shows in the Penland Gallery.

Click here for more information about the Penland Gallery and images of featured work.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with "green" Art

Featured Artist: Kelly Welch Phipps
a Signature Member of
Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters. 

Learn more about Kelly's Welch Phipps' work at
Skyuka Fine Art at 133 N Trade Street in  Tryon, NC

HandMade in America Resource Team Visits Bryson City

A Resource Team from Handmade in America meets with Representatives from Bryson City NC  March 16 - 18. The Community is engouraged to attend any and all public events:

Schedule: Wednesday, March 16:
10:30am    Arrive/check in at Calhoun House, 135 Everett St., Bryson City
11am          Bryson City Town Hall, intro meeting w/Planning Board, Town Board of Alderman and Town Manager
Noon         Lunch, Everett Street Diner – team members and Steering Committee members
1:30-3pm  Walking Tour – meet at Chamber (Tim & Dennis, plan with Judi)
3 - 5pm      Driving Tour – meet at Chamber (Frieda & Diane plan with Judi)
5pm           Team meeting – Nantahala Brewery
7pm           Dinner for team members at Tuckasegee Tavern

Schedule: Thursday, March 17
7am           Team member breakfast at Calhoun House
Individual and Group Interviews: Swain County Chamber of Commerce
8am – 11am     Local Businesses, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Environmental Organizations
11am – 12pm   Real Estate, Lodging, Chamber members, Tourism Development Authority
Noon – 1pm     Lunch at Rotary Club. Location: Calhoun House
1 – 5:30pm
Individual and Group Interviews continue: Swain County Chamber of Commerce
1pm – 3pm       Artists and Crafters, Musicians
4:30 – 5:30pm Churches
3-4pm               off-site Interviews with Youth:  Media Center at Swain County High School, JAM program at Mountain Discovery School
6-7:30pm            Location: Iron Skillet Restaurant, 165 Everett Street
6pm –7:30pm   Community Gathering and Dinner Free and open to the public
8-9 pm                Team meeting – review and begin prep for the close-out event

Schedule: Friday, March 18
8-9:30am    Breakfast, Calhoun House–Resource Team and Swain Co Economic Development
9:30 – 11am  Final interviews, missed interviews, location: Swain County Chamber of Commerce
Prep Time – Team members time to write and put presentation together
Noon – 1:30pm  Close out event, Pasqualino’s on Everett St. with preliminary recommendations by Resource Team members, comments by Steering Committee and others

Random Arts Workshop: Worthwhile - Valuing the Treasures Within

  

Worthwhile
Valuing the Treasures Within
March 26

New Random Arts workshop with Kristi Steiner is, better than ever, unique & one of a kind! 

Learn how to transform little coin wrappers with luscious techniques for textured backgrounds & turning them into tiny envelopes. Small "assemblages" will then adorn each envelope to create individual "secret hiding places". This is the perfect place to use your collection of vintage findings, lace, buttons and bling. We'll stain & stamp lovely long journal tags to slip inside each envelope, embellishing each with wired jewels. We'll bind our tiny treasures together with ribbon and snuggle them into a sassy paper bag 'purse'. So cute! See more of Kristi's work here.  10 am till 4pm - $105. includes lunch.

Meet the Maker series at UNC

March 17 ASHEVILLE -  UNC Asheville Craft Studies Initiative's Meet the Maker series The UNC Asheville Craft Studies Initiative's Meet the Maker series presents Ann Millett-Gallant, educator and author of The Disabled Body in Contemporary Art

National Quilting Day Celebrated at The Folk Art Center

Susan Web Lee's "Log Cabin Remodel"

March 19, 10am to 4pm, The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville NC.  The annual National Quilting Day is sponsored by The National Quilting Association, Inc as a fundraiser for local charities. The 2011 project is a log cabin quilt with a free pattern and instructions  found at:  www.nqaquilts.org.

Members of  the Asheville Quilt Guild will host an exhibition of log cabin quilts at the Folk Art Center including Modern and vintage quilts. Connie Brown and Robin Brooks, who are members of  the Asheville Quilt Guild and the Southern Highland Craft Guild, will demonstrate their craft from 10am to 4pm in the center’s lobby. 
Visitors are invited to bring in their own quilts for evaluation. and  the Allanstand Craft Shop at the Folk Art Center will feature a variety of traditional and handmade quilts made by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

River Arts District Open Studios for March 12

The River Arts District is a special place full of creativity and learning with over 65 artists and craft studios open at various times for public viewing.  As part of Collect Art Asheville, the region-wide Second Saturday Initiative, the River Arts District will be a hub of Saturday activity.
 

Sewing Your Handwoven Fabric  9AM - 5 PPM

Where: Cloth Fiber Workshop   122 Riverside Drive, Studio D

Description: Move past the bog jacket and shawl with your handwoven fabric, and learn to cut and successfully sew a jacket, shirt, or vest. Using pre-workshop suggestions/gui​delines, you'll select a pattern appropriate for your fabric. Cutting, marking, seam finishes, pressing, buttons and linings will be demonstrated as you sew through the steps to your new handwoven garment. Intermediate sewing skills required; personal sewing machines preferred. Thursday evening, Friday & Saturday, March 10, 11 & 12 Hours: Thursday 6 pm - 9 pm, Friday & Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm Level of experience: intermediate Instructor: Liz Spear Fee:

Potters Mark

10am-4pm

Where122 Riverside Drive Asheville, NC

Jonas Gerard Fine Art

10am-6pm

Where240 Clingman Avenue Asheville, NC

Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts

10am-6pm

Saturday, Mar 12, 2011

Where238 Climgman Avenue Asheville, NC

CURVE studios & garden

11am-4pm

Where9 Riverside Dr Asheville NC

Warehouse Studios    170 Lyman Street Asheville, NC11am-4pm 

11am-4pm

DescriptionOpen Studios — 9 artists. Painting, Drawing, Jewelry, Photographic & Digital Arts

310 ART (Riverview Station)  Where191 Lyman Street, Asheville NC 28801

9:30am-3:30pm

Description: Studio # 310 Find the gallery behind the painted door! 

John Mac Kah - Painting in Oils -Studio Classes

9am – 12pm

Where: Long Branch Studios 122 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28801

Description: Ongoing classes in effective use of oils for beginners to advanced students. Oil painting using traditional oils on gessoed panel, mediums, glazing for still-life and preparation for landscape. Cotton Mill Studios building, upstairs, left. 

1:00pm   Open Air Painting - Landscape Classes Painting on location in the Asheville area. Beginners to advanced students, working in oils. Cotton Mill Studios building.

Learn Palette Knife Painting

10:00am – 3:30pm

Where: River's Edge Studios at Riverview Station, 191 Lyman Street #310 (Box #3 for mail). Asheville, NC 28801

Description: Saturday, March 12th 2011 from 10:00 until 3:30 pm. Students will have plenty of time for hands-on exploration with Bob's guidance. Bob Martin and Betty Carlson are Featured Artists for March 2011, so you will have the opprotunity to see a fantastic collection of the artist during this month! Tuition: $75.00, call 828-776-2716 for more info. Watch while Master Painter Bob Martin demonstrates many techniques and his own unique methods in Palette Knife painting. The demo includes a relaxed lecture with technical advice as he talks, and q&A throughout the session. Students will then practice these techniques under Bob's guidance in this one day workshop. Bring your oil painting suppies, some photos of your choice and some small painting panels to practice under Bob's guidance in the hands-on portion of the class.

Download a River Arts Studio Guide here.

Asheville Art Museum Shop Artist of the Month

Museum Shop March Artist of the Month: Sondra Dorn

Sondra Dorn is a full time studio artist living in Asheville, North Carolina. She received her MFA from the University of Washington in 1996. Following graduate school, Dorn went on to a one year Artist in Residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and then a three-year Artist in residence at Penland School of Crafts in Penland, North Carolina. She was also a CORE fellowship student at Penland between the years 1992 through 1994.

Artist Reception at Ashe Arts Center Gallery

March 12   The Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center hosts an  Artist Reception for Stephen Shoemaker.  The Gallery offers monthly exhibits local art and craft at 303 School Ave in West Jefferson NC. The Gallery shop includes handcrafted products such as pottery, jewelry, ornaments,  baskets, greeting cards, clay works, textiles and much more.

Asheville Art Museum Art Break

March 18,  12:00 - 1:00 PM at The Asheville Art Museum,  2 South Pack Square in Asheville  NC.  Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum is an exhibition which examines various ways to look at art and different relationships between art, artist and observer. We are pleased to have this art break led by two artists in the exhibition - Steven Seinberg and Kenn Kotara. Both artists live in Asheville and exhibit their work throughout the US. Each will talk about their work in the exhibition as well as the work surrounding their own - so this discussion will be quite personal and interesting!

Asheville's Hatchfest Scheduled for April 14 - 17 in 2011

For a third year Asheville's HATCH brings together luminaries in the arts and entertainment world to serve as mentors to groundbreaking new creative talent in an event called "Hatchfest". Asheville's studios, art galleries, theaters, concert halls and a variety of other locations become HATCH venues during the Hatchfest for experiential exhibits, panels, workshops, and networking events. With many of the panels, events and workshops open to the public the entire community has the opportunity to "hatch" their creativity in a positive and sustainable way.

Hatch is an non-profit organization operating year around to foster creative thinking and expression through networking, mentoring and exposure. The biannual International Hatchfests include performances, screenings, experiential events, panels, and real time (cross disciplinary) collaborations that provides exposure + expansion + evolution of  vision. Get an up-to-date schedule and more details at http://hatchfest.org.

March Classes at The Stecoah Valley Center for the Cultural Arts

March 16, 10:30am – 12:30pm  Using Social Media to Promote Your Business.  FREE for AWE Members (Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs. $20 all others for the series. Ronda Birtha’s six week series begins with “Setting Up Facebook Pages for your Business”. Other topics to be covered in the series include: “Best Practices for Attracting Visitors”; “Blogging and Tweeting”; “Your Web Presence and Your Dedication to Maintaining It”; and more… Participants will need to bring their own laptop computers.
March 26,  1pm - 4pm  A Taste of Weaving (Floor Loom). Tuition: $25 - Materials fee: $10.00
Instructor Diane Kelly’s beginner’s class is perfect for those who want a hands-on weaving experience with a simple project. You will learn the basics of using a floor loom, using the shuttle to weave your mug rug with good, even tension.
March 31,  6–9 pm. Taking Care of Your Business Taxes, Thursday, March 31, 2011,  FREE!  Tax compliance is an essential part of business management. Participants will become familiar with the procedures and forms required to report sales and payroll taxes liabilities.
The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville, NC. Visit the site for additional details about classes at the Arts Center.

Folk School offers Scholarships for locals

John C Campbell Folk School offers Local NC residents an opportunity to take classes in pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking and cooking at reduced tuition rates. Through Local Scholarships and 50% off stand-by rates locals have opportunities to learn craft skills at the acclaimed Folk School.

Newly posted Local Scholarships cab be found at the School's website. Click here to be directed to our website, where the scholarship list of classes will be most current.Scholarships currently available include classes in painting, paper arts, woodturning, enameling, weaving, quilting and clay.

To be considered local, you must be a full-time, permanent resident of the following counties:

North Carolina: Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Swain, Graham

Georgia: Union, Towns, Fannin

Tennessee: Polk

Get details online or by calling 828-837-2775 to check availability and to be placed on the Local Wait List.

Cloth Fiber Workshop March Events

Sewing Your Handwoven Fabric  March 10, 11and 12 with Liz Spear. Move past the bog jacket and shawl with your handwoven fabric, and learn to cut and successfully sew a jacket, shirt, or vest. Using pre-work shop suggestions/guidelines, you'll select a pattern appropriate for your fabric. Cutting, marking, seam finishes, pressing, buttons and linings will be demonstrated as you sew through the steps to your new handwoven garment. Intermediate sewing skills required; personal sewing machines preferred. Level of experience: intermediate. Fee: $225 + materials fee.

Getting Your Art/Craft Work Published on Wednesday evening, March 23 with Sunita Patterson. Learn from this former editor of Fiberarts magazine how to know when you're ready to approach a magazine, what to include in your submission packet, and how editors select what to publish. Discover four strategies for increasing your chances of getting published. Level of experience: all levels. Fee: $20

Cloth Fiber Workshop is located in the River Arts District at 122 Riverside Drive, Studio D in Asheville, NC

First Sale Ever at Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store

The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree project will be celebrating its customers and community with a month long celebration and first ever sale beginning in March.

“Our product makers and our staff both wanted a way to thank the community and the shop's customers for all of their support. This project would never have reached the success that it has without them,” said Linn Hise, Project Fiber artist and spokesperson. During the month of March, a 20 percent off sale will begin on most of the products in the store. Other products will be offered at half off. “There has never been a sale on the handmade products at the store, however our product makers have generously offered to put their products on sale to show their appreciation to our customers,” said Hise.

“This sale, and the month long events, is a great time for our customers to come into the store and visit us online to enjoy the savings as well as to see the new products on display. Also, we will be sharing with customers the big plans and changes that will be coming to the project this summer,” said Hise.

March 4-11 Free Offer:  Come into the Store or call us toll-free March 4-11 and receive a free gift with purchase while supplies last!

WHat's new at Gallery Minerva

Michael Parkes:

Gallery Minerva announces the debut of work by "magical realist", Michael Parkes. His illustrations in stone lithography highlight the artist's eye for exquisite detail. We welcome your visit to the gallery to see this group of eight limited edition works on paper. Featured photograph, "Persepolis".


Shane Snider:
North Carolina sculptor, Shane Snider debuts his most recent collection of works which study the elegance of the female form. This group of 6 new pieces can be used indoors as well as in an exterior placement. Please visit or contact the gallery for details. Featured photograph, "Ternary", 14"h x28"w x10"d.

Gallery Minerva is located at 8 Biltmore Avenue,Asheville, NC