NC Arts and Sciences Power to Give Program Approves Asheville Golden Threads Shindig Mural

 "Golden Threads" Shindig Mural, sponsored by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, has been approved by the Arts and Sciences Council program, Power to Give. The Charlotte-based Program assists North Carolina-based arts organizations that have received grants from the North Carolina Arts Council within the past three years, and now need funding for a specific project.

As of February 14, 2015 the Shindig Mural was opened to people and organizations that wish to fund arts projects. The general public may also be a part of the funding of the Shindig Mural Project, Just CLICK HERE to go to the Power to Give site and become a donor for this exciting Asheville arts project.

Building on a platform of previous WNC murals, the Golden Threads Mural celebrates the annual Asheville event, Shindig on the Green in Asheville, is another example of the vision and mission of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc., the mission of "Planting seeds of heritage through the Arts."

Art Director and well-know mountain mural and fine artist, Doreyl Ammons Cain, will be researching, planning and executing the painting and completion of the "Golden Threads" Shindig Mural. Ammons Cain will also follow through with the evaluation procedures, marketing plan, research into other WNC mural sites and interviews with Shindig musicians.

Shindig on the Green takes place each  in the heart of downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park's Roger McGuire Green. The stage shows take place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the nation’s longest running folk festival.

The Folk Heritage Committee produces Shindig on the Green and its sister event, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, to support the preservation and continuation of the traditional music, dance and storytelling heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people attend the FREE Shindig on the Green evenings  throughout the summer. In addition to throngs of locals, visitors routinely travel from out of state, across the country, and even around the world to make their way to downtown Asheville for Shindig on the Green.

Shindig on the Green depends on the talent and generosity of its volunteer musicians and dancers who span several generations. From young children perfecting their square dance steps to great-grandmothers singing ballads passed down through the years, the region’s wealth of traditional talent takes center stage. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting. 

River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend

January 1  River Arts District Second Saturday   Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

The River Arts District  is open year around - meet 150+ artists in their studios, visit craft galleries and shops and stop to re-energize at one of the cafes or restaurants.  Schedules are available online. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for two days of festivities known as the STUDIO STROLL. On SECOND SATURDAYS artists welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River.

Click HERE for a map of the River Arts District and how to get to there.

Get complete visitor information on the Asheville NC Guide. 

River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend in Asheville

December 14   River Arts District Second Saturday Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

Get links for the River Arts District Second Saturday and other art and craft events in the mountains this weekend on the NC Mountain Craft Gallery Guide.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk this Friday

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

25 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.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands this week

July 18 - 21    Semi-annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands   Over 200 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment bring Asheville's Civic (Cellular) Center alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts.

Both levels of the Center offer artisans exhibiting and selling works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry.  The Fair  showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild with members living in the mountain counties of nine states from Maryland to Alabama.

Asheville Art in the Park this Weekend

June 29   Art in the Park   Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local.

10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Asheville Open Air Market this Weekend

June 29   The Asheville City Open Air Market   will be open at the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville NC and Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park Town Square .  Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around and local artisan products in two locations for your convenience, downtown and South Asheville.

EBT, credit, and debit cards are accepted. Additional activities include live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs. The little ones will enjoy the  Kids Corner Market activities, and more.