Downtown Asheville Art District hosts Gallery Walk this Friday

October  2, 2015    Asheville Downtown Gallery Art Walk    The Downtown Asheville Art District (DAAD) invites you to visit the more than twenty galleries that contribute to Asheville's reputation as a vibrant arts community and "The Paris of the South." 

Bender Gallery Exhibit, courtesy of DAAD

Within a half-mile radius of Pack Square and the Asheville city center, you'll find unparalleled diversity from fine studio crafts, to glass, photography, folk art and contemporary painting, metalwork, textiles, jewelry and more by local, regional, national and international artists.  


A complete  Downtown Gallery Guide and map is available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.  Learn more about Asheville's Art Community on our Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Art After Dark this Friday in Waynesville

October 2, 2015    Art After Dark   Downtown Waynesville galleries remain open for Art after Dark featuring demonstrations, artist receptions, and special music. Enjoy the Gallery Stroll from 6 PM - 9 PM with live music and great food. Free admission. Art After Dark happens the first Friday evening of each month from May through December.

Get more information about Waynesville art galleries and craft shops on the Waynesville NC Visitor Guide.

Last Chance for September Workshops at Random Arts

"Mix" it up with Jodi Ohl this weekend At Random Arts: Friday - Graffitti Grunge;  Saturday - Skinny Mini Cities;  Sunday - Bold Blossoms.  SPECIAL OFFER Take all 3 classes and save $75.

Jodi Ohl is back at Random Arts for another 3 days of inspiring and creative workshops. Join Jodi in 1, 2 or 3 of these "tried and true" acrylic painting experiences. Take all 3 and save $75 and take this opportunity to share in Jodi's vast knowledge of having fun with your art.

September 25, 2015 - Grunge Ink. Are you the intrigued by experimental art? Does letting loose and letting things 'flow' excite and scare you at the same time? You will experience:  Action packed class, inked up abstracts,  drawing,  dripping,  grungy abstract,  mixed media art pieces,  compositions,  creative energy,  exhilarating exercises,  fearless artistic self,  grungy inky fun,  creative experimentation,  fearless,  adventurous,  Yupo paper,  acrylic inks,  paints,  India ink,  special effects,  luscious layers, all  resulting in abstract works created by you.   Time: 10 AM - 4 PM;  Cost: $125. Supplies: Yes.

September 26 - Skinny Little Mini Cities. You'll be using 3-5 large rectangular canvases to find your inner child during this action packed, fun filled class featuring quirky compositions of mini villages, flowers, and more. Collage, paint, draw, print and more. Learn about veiling and glazing, shading and highlighting among other fun acrylic painting techniques. Time: 10 ZM -  4 PM;  Cost: $125. Supplies: Yes

September 27 - Bold and Beautiful Blossoms. Create your very own colorful garden of flowers with the gentle guidance of Jodi Ohl in this day long workshop. Bring along several canvases so you can explore all the possibilities in one day. You'll learn all about composition, color combinations, collage, design and "extra special" techniques to make your work of art entirely yours.  Time: 10 AM -  4 PM.  Cost: $125. (Take all 3 and SAVE $25. on each class) Supplies: Yes

Fresh brewed coffee and pastries served each morning at 9:30 before class. Register by email or phone: 828-749-116. 

Random arts is located at 481 Louisiana Avenue in  Saluda NC - 2 blocks from downtown Saluda at the corner of Main Street and Louisiana.  

 

Spend a lively Weekend in Marshall NC at the Art on the Island Festival

September 26, 2015   Art on the Island Festival   The new and improved arts and music (used to be MAD on Main held in May) has moved the month to September and the location to Blannahassett Island and changed the name to Art on the Island Festival. Still FREE! 

The new venue allows the festival to put musicians on the new stage and to combine with the Farmer’s Market to offer many more opportunities to enjoy the day. Come out to browse through arts booths, sample local food and buy local produce while listening to musicians perform throughout the day. For questions, contact the Madison County Arts Council at 828 649-1301. 

Find more information about Marshall NC on our Visitor Vacation Guide. 

Heritage Weekend At Asheville's Folk Art Center

September 19 - 20, 2015   Heritage Weekend is a two-day celebration of traditional crafts and music at Asheville's Folk Art Center. The 35th free festival is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. 

A highlight of the weekend is the 33nd Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition.

The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC. 

Weekend Events at The Asheville Art Museum

September 18, 12:00 - 1:00 PM  Lunchtime Art Break - Wegman The Museum presents Lunchtime Art Breaks, a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests. A member of the Museum's staff will give a gallery tour of William Wegman: Cubism and Other-isms. Free with membership or Museum admission.

September 19, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Photo Experience at Hickory Nut Gap Farm   Join photographer Ken Abbott on a photographic exploration of the historic Hickory Nut Gap Farm. Abbott's own photos, taken at the farm, are currently on view in the exhibition Heritage and Home: Photographs of Hickory Nut Gap Farm and are featured in his recent publication Useful Work: Photographs of Hickory Nut Gap Farm. 

Abbott received his MFA in photography from Yale University School of Art in 1987, and spent 15 years as chief photographer for the University of Colorado at Boulder. He moved to Asheville with his family in 2002, and has pursued independent art projects including an extensive documentary of Mrs. Hyatt's Oprahouse, a gathering of musicians and devoted fans meeting weekly in the garage behind the house since the 1950s. Abbott also photographed businesses, people and buildings in the old Asheville stockyards area, prior to its recent transition into the new brewery for New Belgium Brewing Company. Abbott received an Artists Fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council for the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Project in 2006. 

Participants should bring their own camera. Please dress appropriately for the weather and light hiking. To register call the Museum at 828.253.3227. $25 for Members; $35 for Non-Members.

Pianoforte Recital, photo courtesy of the Asheville Art Museum

September 20 at 3:00 p.m. Pianoforte Recital in Sol LeWitt Gallery    Pianoforte alumni John Cobb and Alexander Schwarzkopf will perform selections by Bartok, Cage, Copeland, Crumb, Gershwin, Ives, Schoenberg and Steinbach. While we have had the pleasure of having each of the pianists perform at Pianoforte recitals, this is the first time they will be performing together. Please call the Museum at 828.253.3227 for reservations. $8 + tax for Members ($7 children) $16 + tax (includes Museum admission) for Non-Members ($15 children).

The Asheville Art Museum is located at 2 South Pack Square in downtown Asheville NC.  

Sparta NC Hosts the 21st Annual Mountain Heritage Festival

photo courtesy High Country Press

September 19, 2015  21st Annual Mountain Heritage Festival    Craft and food vendors line Main Street in celebration of mountain heritage in craft and music. This year's entertainment features Loose Strings and 3 other local bands. 

With demonstrations of the skills of local ancestors and music that mixes local heritage with modern influences, there is something for everyone. Dancers will be kicking up their heels and  the  Possum Queen will be crowned.

2015 Entertainment Schedule  (subject to change):
10 AM – Opening Ceremonies
National Anthem Performed by 11 year old Karis Howell Colors Presented by Bruce Wayne Osborne VFW Post.
10:30 AM – JAM Youth Showcase
11 AM – Jubilee Dancers - Traditional line dancing performed by Alleghany Jubilee’s regulars.
11:30 AM – Alleghany Moon
12:30 PM – the Dance Place Dancers
12:45 PM– Cake Auction - Your chance to bid on desserts made by Alleghany’s best bakers!
1 pm – Crooked Road Ramblers - The Crooked Road Ramblers are an old-time band from Southwest Virginia, steeped in the traditional music of the Blue Ridge.
1 PM - Soap Box Derby
Enjoy the 2nd annual race down Main Street. Starting at the end near the Sparta Presbyterian Church and finishes at the Alleghany County Administrative offices.
2 PM– WestWend - WestWend is an American/country duo comprised of Jonathan Maness (guitar, vocals) and Wendy Crowe (vocals) from Knoxville, TN
3:30 PM – Rise and Shine Band - The Rise and Shine Band is the house band at the Alleghany Jubilee, located in the former Spartan Theater on Sparta’s Main Street, and is a regular on the Mountain Heritage Stage
4 PM – Possum Queen Contest, Hillbilly Wes to Emcee - Come out to see who will take home the crown.  

Last of the Season - Ooh La La Curiosity Market

September 19, 2015   Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park  featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. 

In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts. 

Weaverville NC Hosts Art In Autumn Crafts Festival

September 19, 2015:     Art in Autumn   This is the eighth annual Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival. Browse 114 juried artists and craftspeople, while enjoying an exciting array of food and live music.

The  festival brings a lively celebration of community and fine art to the Main Street of the 'Mayberry-esque' town of Weaverville, only 10 minutes north of Asheville NC. 

2014 Art in Autumn photo courtesy of Weaverville Art in Autum

Annual Sculpture Celebration and Jeans Preview Party

September  12, 2015    29th Annual Sculpture Celebration   This Annual Sculpture Celebration features a Blue Jeans Preview Party Friday evening and a competition Saturday featuring sculptors from several states east of the Mississippi River. 

The Celebration will be open to the public 9 AM-4 PM and judging occurs all day with awards announced about 3:30 PM.

This Week at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

September 10, 2015, 5 PM - 6:30 PM at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM), 159 Chestnut Street in Blowing Rock NC - Opening Reception for Unity with Diversity. The free reception kicks off the exhibit by the Blue Ridge Women Painters: Beth Andrews, Marion Cloaninger, Marsha Holmes, Susan Marlowe, and Norma Suddreth. The artists will also teach a free art workshop on Thursday, Sept 24 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM in the museum’s Education Center. 

Blue Ridge Women Painters, courtesy of BRAHM

The Exhibit can be viewed in BRAHM’s Community Gallery from September 9 – October 1, 2015.

September 11 at 10 AM - Membership Coffee with Mark Rose. Topic: NC Native Plants: Three Seasons of Blooms. Free for Members and Non-members, includes refreshments and door prizes.

Weekly Programs:

Every Tuesday: Afternoon Art Club - 3:30 - 4:30 PM for ages 6-10.  Free for Members / $5 Non-members **Registration required

Every Thursday: Doodlebug Club - 1-2 PM and 3-4 PM for ages 3-5.  Free for Members / $5 Non-members **Registration required

Every Thursday and Saturday: Docent Tour -  Thursday at 4 PM,   Saturday at 2 PM.  Free for Members / regular admission for Non-members.

West Jefferson Gallery Crawl

September 11, 2015    West Jefferson Gallery Crawl   Stroll the streets of an historic mountain town, enjoy the cool mountain breeze while listening to the sounds of street musicians and "popping" in and out of West Jefferson's many galleries. 

Open House in more than 15 art galleries and studios including: Acorn Gallery, Ashe Arts Center, Ashe Custom Framing & Gallery, Backstreet Beads, Bohemia Gallery, Broomfields Gallery, CatchLight Gallery, Everything Has a Story, Florence Thomas Art School, French’s Art Gallery, Originals Only Gallery, Quilt Square Girls, Ripples Gallery, RT Morgan Art Gallery, Shoemaker Studio, and The Artists’ Theatre.

Learn more on the West Jefferson and Jefferson NC Visitor Guide.

Labor Day Weekend Arts Events: Asheville Art Walk

September 4, 2015    Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see one of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 

20+ downtown venues participate with a complete  Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Mountain Made at the Grove Arcade Asheville Art Walk