Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Friday, December 2, 2022
Cybersecurity Basics + Fundamentals
Dec 2 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Cyber-attacks are on the rise. Last year nearly 50% targeted small businesses. To help, the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College is presenting a jargon-free lunch and learn session to share basic and fundamental steps that can be taken to help keep individuals and organizations protected. We will introduce practical actions to raise awareness and give businesses and organizations concrete ways to become more cyber-secure. The steps can be implemented in a short time frame with no or limited experience and may greatly lower the risk of being damaged by a cyber-attack.
Companies attending can receive:
• FREE Security Vulnerability Report – on company domain
• FREE Cybersecurity Awareness Training – three months at no cost for up to 200 employees
Our Instructors are Ed Carroll and Joe Jakubielski, Carolina Cyber Center
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 3 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Alcohol Ink Silk Scarf and Tote Workshop
Dec 3 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Purple Crayon

This holiday season, give your friends and family (or yourself) beautiful alcohol ink gifts that they can use to accessorize their home or wardrobe!

If you’ve been wanting to try a new and vibrant medium that works on a wide variety of materials and surfaces, you’ll love alcohol inks. As you drip, blow, and manipulate the brilliant colors of this art form, you’ll be amazed at the intricate patterns that emerge!

The multi-talented Deana Murchison will show you how to create beautiful, professional-looking artwork with very little effort. You’ll leave with at least one print, a ceramic coaster(s), a fashionable 11”x60” silk scarf, and a nifty stuffable cotton tote. Only you (and your fellow classmates, of course!) will know how quick and easy your masterpieces were to make!

No dyeing, drawing, or painting experience necessary!

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 10 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Sunday, December 11, 2022
Needle Felted Snowman Workshop
Dec 11 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Purple Crayon

Though we usually don’t get a lot of snow in Asheville, this super cute needle felted snowman is sure to get you into the holiday spirit! Join us for this fun workshop with fiber artist, Camille Daunno.

In just a few hours, you’ll learn the basics of needle felting, including what fibers are appropriate for creating a needle felted structure, how to build a three-dimensional piece (and how to shorten the process by using a Styrofoam ball), and how to embellish creations by needle felting details and attaching accessories.

You’ll leave the class with an adorable 8-1/2” free-standing snowman that will make a charming addition to any seasonal décor!

Thursday, December 15, 2022
Free Write to a Free Life
Dec 15 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
online

This online group is open to everyone, regardless of whether you think you are a writer or not. I will be giving the group writing prompts, and then we will spend 10 to 15 minutes writing as fast as possible without editing. After that, you will have the opportunity to share what you wrote or not; it’s completely up to you. This practice sparks great creativity, and you might discover new things about yourself and exciting possibilities for your writing outside of the group. It’s also a wonderful way to connect to other creatives and build community.

***Trigger Warning: I do not believe in censoring anyone’s writing or self-expression. Sometimes people write on subjects such as sexuality, substances, abuse, etc. Other times we write about more mundane things, like your favorite kind of coffee. With this type of writing, you just never know. If you feel that certain topics will be too triggering for you, you might want to consider joining this group. Or you can just lower the volume if the writing is triggering! And of course, if you write something sensitive, you never have to read it out loud to the group.

Due to the nature of this group the doors will close promptly at 6:40. Thank you for your understanding.

This group is free but as I have to pay meetup fees and zoom fees every month donations are most welcome! The suggested donation amount is $10.00. You can pay me at Venmo, just put in [email protected] or CashApp using AprilHorton123. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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Saturday, December 17, 2022
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 17 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Thursday, December 22, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 1
Dec 22 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).
Sign up for Session 1 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=8f3d934c4e&e=16408a818c

Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

Friday, December 23, 2022
Body Image: Writing to Heal
Dec 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
online

This group is for everyone who suffers from a poor body image. You do not have to consider yourself to be a writer; the only requirement is that you want to heal your relationship with your body. As a trained Body Image Coach (to learn more about me go to www.aprilhorton.com) and a person living in this body-shaming culture, I know how painful a challenging body image can be. Writing can be a powerful tool used to heal this type of trauma. The structure of this group is that I will give out writing prompts and then everyone will write as fast as they can, without editing, for approximately ten minutes. Then there will be an opportunity for group members to share what they wrote (only if they want to) and then receive feedback from the group members on how the writing impacted them. In this safe space we can learn together how to see our bodies and ourselves in a more empowering light.

I am a trained Body Image Coach with a background in psychology. If you would like to know more about me check out my website at www.aprilhorton.com.

Saturday, December 24, 2022
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 24 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Thursday, December 29, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 2
Dec 29 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).

Sign up for Session 2 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=dd3c976dc2&e=16408a818c
Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

Saturday, December 31, 2022
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 31 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
Jan 3 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Saturday, January 7, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Jan 7 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Mountain Writer Rant January MeetUp
Jan 7 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Green Sage Cafe

Join us at The Green Sage Cafe – on Merrimon for our January MeetUp! Suggested Topic: Writing Tips, Good and Bad

Intro to Gelli Printing Workshop
Jan 7 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Gelli printing is an easy, innovative way to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind monoprints. The results are striking, and all you need is a gelli plate, acrylic paint, and some kind of substrate (paper, canvas, etc.). In this fun, hands-on workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will teach you everything you need to get started with this super versatile process.

Among other techniques, you’ll learn how to build multiple layers of design, create textures and an “old wall” look, and add stenciling and shimmer to your prints. Kristen will also teach you how to create two-sided prints, work with multiple prints at the same time, create a theme for your prints, use thick and thin paints in different ways, and find your color palette.

There will be plenty of time to practice each technique, and you’ll complete at least four, two-sided prints. You’ll also leave with plenty of ideas on how to use your finished prints, including incorporating them into junk journals, and how to care for and store your gelli plate, which will be yours to keep—a $25 value!

Monday, January 9, 2023
Creativity Kickstart
Jan 9 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Do you have intentions to start making art, but for some reason aren’t? Or were you making stuff all the time, but now it’s become a chore to get into your studio? Whether you’re struggling to get going with your art or have fallen into a creative slump, this workshop is for you!

Join creativity coach and veteran instructor Robyn Crawford as she takes you on an exciting, 4-week artistic adventure that’s sure to get your creative juices flowing! In this 12-hour, highly interactive course, you’ll kickstart your creativity by watching interesting artistic techniques, solving challenging creativity-building puzzles, participating in stimulating cross-media art experiments, working through selected The Artist’s Way best practices, and doing fun, optional homePLAY assignments.

We’re excited to finally get to offer this popular course. Don’t put your art (and YOU!) on the back burner again. Register today and make 2023 your most inspired year yet!

Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
Jan 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Thursday, January 12, 2023
Creative Writing Group online
Jan 12 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
online

Join us for creative writing online! We’ll meet on Zoom and do several rounds of writing prompts. The group is simple – we just write and read our writing to each other.  This is a supportive and fun environment that gets your creative juices flowing with low stakes and lots of fun.

The contents of this presentation are for informational purposes only.  Nothing herein constitutes medical, legal, or financial advice nor is it a substitute for professional advice on any issue.  You should not rely on the information received in this presentation for any important decisions, including medical, legal, or financial decisions.  Always consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice related to your situation.  The views and opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect those of Buncombe County or its Public Library System.

Link
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Jan 14 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Intro to Junk Journaling Workshop
Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

January is the perfect time to start keeping a “junk journal”: a hand-made book used to collect and store daily memories, mementos, photos, collages, inspiring quotes, or anything you want to remember. You can also use junk journals as art journals, a place for collage or daily gratitude lists, or to inspire a daily art practice in general. In this highly imaginative workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will show you how to design a junk journal to fit your needs.

You’ll start by cutting and sizing an empty cereal box to create the cover for your journal. After strengthening and decorating your cover, you’ll learn how to turn your precious papers—including any gelli prints that you may have made in Kristen’s Introduction to Gelli Printing workshop—and actual “junk” mail into various types of pages (decorative, envelope, writing, etc.) until you fill your book. Next, Kristen will show you how to stitch your pages into the cover and then go over ways to fill in your journal as you go. You’ll be surprised at how full your book can become in just an afternoon! Finally, you’ll add decor, embellishments, and ephemera to finish your project.

You’ll leave the workshop with a beautiful, personalized keepsake that’s anything but junk! You’ll also have a newfound appreciation for the useful and beautiful creations you can make out of things that you used to throw away!

Sunday, January 15, 2023
Workshop: Characterization and the Body
Jan 15 @ 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

Performers: Get out of your head and inhabit your character!

In this workshop, acting coach, director and performer Jamie Knox will lead you through a series of exercises to:
– Make your work more physically dynamic
– Prepare for giving a memorable audition
– Approach a character from the outside in, to work quickly with new direction
– Talk yourself up…to yourself! Learn the art of getting into a good headspace and focusing on being a character, not acting
– Work on a specific monologue OR learn to work with any piece given to you

Sunday, January 15th, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
at The Magnetic Theatre
375 Depot St, Asheville NC 28801

About the instructor:
Jamie Knox juggles writing, directing, and acting in plays with running a yoga business and wrangling a four-year-old. She has been coaching characterization since 2008 and is a strong believer in being the character, not simply pretending to be the character. In this workshop expect to be challenged to get out of your head and into your body, finding more authenticity in your work.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
Jan 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator Workshop
Jan 18 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Take your business to the next level!
A comprehensive business innovation program designed to assist for-profit, not-for-profit, and family-owned businesses to the next level of success.
This program begins January 18, 2023, and meets 8:30 am – 1 pm every other Wednesday for five months.
Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator is designed by entrepreneurs to help for-profit, family owned, and nonprofit businesses innovate and increase profitability. If you approach the business the same way as you did in the past, it will limit future profit growth.
Now is the time to innovate with cutting edge best practices in business management, leadership, planning, branding, marketing, sales, accounting, purchasing, raising capital, information technology, human resources, time management, new business development, operations and distribution. The Program will help you identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in each department of your company to track, monitor and accelerate the success of your business. Peter Drucker said, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Jan 21 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
Jan 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Monthly Writing Workshops
Jan 25 @ 3:12 am – 4:12 am
online

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

January 25 – Jennifer McGaha
Friday, January 27, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Jan 27 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Saturday, January 28, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Jan 28 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Jan 28 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.