Calendar of Events

Have you ever wanted to create an abstract painting but weren’t sure how to start? If so, fluid art—also called [acrylic] pour painting, flow art, liquid art., etc.—might be just what you’re looking for!

Fluid art is a form of abstract art that uses acrylic paints with a runny (fluid) consistency. The paints react with each other when combined to make interesting and visually organic motifs. As the paints run amok and spill across your canvas, the possibilities are endless!

In this workshop, Dawn Barnard will show you several different ways to do acrylic pours. Then, you’ll practice the techniques, making multiple 8” x 10” abstract paintings. Finally, Dawn will demonstrate how to finish your painting with an acrylic coating.

This is a fun and easy class and is great for experimenting with color!

Compost at Home with Patryk Battle. Join the Organic Growers School for their second Summer class in their Gardening Series.

In this workshop, Patryk Battle of Living Web Farms will walk you through a comprehensive overview of the requirements, benefits, and downsides of various composting methods. Then, he will take a deeper dive into thermophilic and worm composting systems.

You will have an opportunity to construct a thermophilic pile and set up a worm box during class, as well as evaluate the quality of the finished compost product. You will leave with a lot more confidence about which approaches to composting work best for your garden, and with the knowledge to start up your own pile!

May 10, 2022, 6-8pm
Smith Mill Works Greenhouse

https://organicgrowersschool.org/product/gardening-may/

Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25

Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.

Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.

The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.

Registration Includes:

A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities

A custom Story Parlor notebook

Access to Creativity Mixers

Who Should Attend:

Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project

Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity

Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative

Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life

Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition

Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations

Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment

Anxiety can be a debilitating force in life and at times, so debilitating that it interferes with the ability to manage one’s own activities of daily living. When this happens, it’s important to know that there are supports available to treat and assist in the management of symptoms. This free workshop focuses on different types of anxiety disorders and specifically details ones more commonly seen in older adults. The class will also cover interventions available to assist in calming the anxious mind.

These events will be facilitated by the Vaya Health GERO team. CEU’s are provided through NC Department of Health and Human Services. The workshops are free, but you do need to register here.

Workshop information

Thursday, May 12 at 10:30 AM
Pack Memorial Library – 67 Haywood St. – Asheville
(828) 250-4700

Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 PM
Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sandhill Rd. – Candler
(828) 250-4758

Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25

Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.

Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.

The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.

Registration Includes:

A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities

A custom Story Parlor notebook

Access to Creativity Mixers

Who Should Attend:

Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project

Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity

Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative

Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life

Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition

Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations

Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment

That’s right! 12 Bones has partnered up with AVL Charcuterie Co. for a Charcuterie Board Making Class! Grab a beer and head to the private back room where you’ll learn how to make a charcuterie board with Lindsey from AVL Charcuterie Co.

Lindsey will take you through the process step by step on how to make a gorgeous board to impress your family and friends. Eat your board after the class or take it home to share!

Anxiety can be a debilitating force in life and at times, so debilitating that it interferes with the ability to manage one’s own activities of daily living. When this happens, it’s important to know that there are supports available to treat and assist in the management of symptoms. This free workshop focuses on different types of anxiety disorders and specifically details ones more commonly seen in older adults. The class will also cover interventions available to assist in calming the anxious mind.

These events will be facilitated by the Vaya Health GERO team. CEU’s are provided through NC Department of Health and Human Services. The workshops are free, but you do need to register here.

Workshop information

Thursday, May 12 at 10:30 AM
Pack Memorial Library – 67 Haywood St. – Asheville
(828) 250-4700

Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 PM
Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sandhill Rd. – Candler
(828) 250-4758

Join us to explore the world of forest farming during farm tours and workshops to develop an understanding of the wealth and history of woodland botanicals and forest products. Participants will dive into plant propagation and production, forest stewardship and observation, and alternative & value-added products. These tours will include hands-on workshops and site visits to offer beginning and advanced forest farmers valuable learning opportunities.

Workshop 1: Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises
Date & Location: June 5th, 2022, in Leicester, NC, 2-6 pm.

Organic Growers School offers this series of forest farm tours and workshops in partnership with the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC). ABFFC is dedicated to increasing opportunities for farmers and forestland owners in Appalachia and beyond.

Learn more and register today,
https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/forest-farming/

A child’s mind is attuned to the most eccentric details, which reflect the early fears, hopes and fascinations that escape us in adulthood.  This workshop will take you back in time to explore your most vivid childhood memories.  We will write small stories to make narrative sense of these moments.

Join Fairview author and teacher Dr. Beth Keefauver online via Zoom in the first of a series of creative writing workshops.  The three classes may be taken individually or as a series.  Registration is required as class size is limited.  Email [email protected] or call 828-250-6484 to register.

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.

Email [email protected] for the link to the online meeting.

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.

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!

Veteran artist and teacher Robyn Crawford will show you how to create beautiful, professional-looking artwork with very little effort. You’ll leave with at least one print suitable for framing, a ceramic coaster(s), and one or two other home accessories. Only you (and your fellow classmates, of course!) will know how quick and easy your masterpieces were to make!

Hendersonville Theatre (HT) resumes its Staged Reading Series Saturday, June 11 at 4 p.m. Showcasing the work of area playwrights and performed by local actors, The Staged Reading Series is a FREE public reading of a new play in development. However, donations are welcome to support HT.
HT’s The Staged Reading Series offers exciting script-in-hand readings of new plays by emerging local playwrights. The readings are followed by a talk back with the playwright and actors to provide feedback to the playwright.
A short discussion will follow each show to provide feedback to the playwright about their script.
The reading will be held on the Hendersonville second stage at the rear of 229 S. Washington Street, Hendersonville, NC. There is no charge to attend or to participate, however donations are welcome and will be used to support HT.
Hendersonville Theatre is committed to exploring and developing new work for American theater, supporting local playwrights with their creative process from concept to production.
The play to be read on June 11 is Affinity by Charles LaBorde. Affinity portrays the early career of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright, including the beginnings of his growth to fame, his first marriage, his trials as he became a famous designer of homes, and the dissolution of his marriage after beginning an affair with one of his clients. The play begins in 1937 with the construction of Taliesin West in Arizona and then retells the years from 1888 until the events of 1914 that led to the destruction of the first Taliesin in Wisconsin.
Charles LaBorde is an actor, director, designer, and playwright, and has worked as an arts educator and administrator. He holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in theatre and doctoral certification in educational administration from the University of North Carolina. LaBorde was the founder of the high school at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, where he served as principal for 15 years until his retirement in 2008. He has received 11 regional and state directing awards, a national directing award from the National Youth Theatre, and numerous awards for scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design from the North Carolina Theatre Conference. As a playwright he has received two national and four regional playwriting awards and has had his play, Memorial, performed throughout the United States and Europe. LaBorde is a member of The Dramatists Guild, Inc.—the professional theatre association of playwrights, composers, and lyricists.

Integrated Pest Management techniques are helpful for reducing pesticide use and cutting costs in the long run. They can also create a deeper understanding of your garden and the various roles different plants play within it. Join Lisa Gonzalez, Clay County Extension Director, for an overview of Integrated Pest Management as well as a deeper look into select strategies to manage and prevent garden damage from pests using ecosystem-based knowledge and approaches.

June 14, 2022 at Smith Mill Works Greenhouse, 6-8 pm

$20 – $25

Register: https://organicgrowersschool.org/product/gardening-june/

Although the exquisitely detailed patterns of Shibori, a form of tie dye, look complicated, they can actually be quite easy to make—especially if you learn from a pro. In just a few hours, veteran textile artist Camille Duanno will teach you everything you need to know to get started with this ancient Japanese art.

Camille will begin by presenting an overview of Shibori, including its history, materials, and tips and tricks for success. Then, she’ll demonstrate four basic Shibori techniques using wooden blocks, popsicle sticks, tied bundles, and a small pole wrap. You’ll be invited to follow along, creating your own samples.

You’ll take home two beautiful scarves (an 8”x54” silk scarf and an 11”x60” chiffon scarf), as well as a couple of smaller pieces of Shibori that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

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.

Poetry of the Spirit with Luke Hankins

This class will focus on contemporary poetry that engages the “spirit” in some way, from a range of perspectives, both religious and non-religious. Some of the aspects of spiritual poetry that will come under discussion are the experience of transcendence, the longing for connection to something larger than ourselves, and the search for overarching meaning that might guide us throughout our lives. In addition to reading and discussing sample poems, we will do an in-class writing exercise aimed at writing from or to whatever “spirit” means to each participant.

Luke Hankins is the author of two poetry collections, Radiant Obstacles and Weak Devotions, as well as a collection of essays, The Work of Creation. A volume of his translations from the French of Stella Vinitchi Radulescu, A Cry in the Snow & Other Poems, was released by Seagull Books in 2019. Testament, a chapbook of poems, is forthcoming from Texas Review Press. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in a wide variety of periodicals, including 32 Poems, American Literary Review, Image, New England Review, Poetry International, Verse, World Literature Today, and The Writer’s Chronicle. Hankins serves as an Associate Editor at Asheville Poetry Review and he is the founder and editor of Orison Books, a non-profit literary press focused on the life of the spirit from a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Zoom for the virtual connection. The link will be sent by the morning of the presentation. Check your junk folder if you have not received it by then.

Come join us as we meet online to do therapeutic free writing together in community! No writing experience is required. Therapeutic free writing is a process where you write on personal and emotional topics as fast as possible, without editing, and without regard to grammar rules. The group structure is that I will give out a couple of therapeutic prompts to choose from, and we will write for approximately ten minutes. Then you will have an opportunity to share what you wrote with the group (but only if you want to!). After that, the other members will have a chance to comment on how your writing affected them and offer support from their own experiences with only positive comments. This process will create a safe space for you to do your healing work and spark creativity in a community of fellow creatives.

Sun printing (aka solar printing) is a wonderful way to capture the summer sunshine! In this fun and easy workshop, textile artist Camille Daunno will show you how to create beautiful, personal pieces of art by applying SolarFast™, a non-toxic, light-reactive dye, to a “resist” and exposing the surface to light. The results are stunning and unlike traditional cyanotyping, which produces only blue images, can be quite colorful!

You’ll start by painting paper or fabric with SolarFast™ and then arranging stencils, paper pieces, or other flat objects to create a design. Camille will offer suggestions for manipulating your designs and layering colors so you can experiment with different looks. Then, you’ll expose your piece to a light source and watch the magic happen. Within minutes, your masterpiece will develop!

You’ll take home a beautiful canvas tote bag and an 8”x54” silk scarf, as well as a couple of smaller sun prints that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

Join Emily Bell of Rhythm & Ritual for an evening of broomcraft and connection.

More than a handcrafts class, Emily creates a ritual space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own large AND small turkey wing whisk brooms for practical or ritual use (or both!)

This class is open to those who identify as women.
Class size is limited, so register early!

Note: this is a two-day course which takes place on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, 9:30AM-5PM each day.

This is a beginners class for students wanting to learn the skills, exercises, and the fundamentals of mediumship. (Students need to bring a pen and notebook. Printed handouts will be also provided.)

Anthony Mikolojeski will be teaching students the foundation and techniques behind mediumship, and all healing aspects. Students will begin to learn various exercises in how to expand their energy to connect with loved one’s in the spirit world. Students will be engaging in exercises with each other while being mentored by Anthony. They will learn the boundaries, the responsibilities and professional ethics surrounding doing this work.

We will be doing a few singing bowl meditations, practice in meeting spirit guides we haven’t met before and learning techniques on how to build your personal power.

(Because of the summer tourist season and increased high traffic, students will be expected to allow extra traveling time so you arrive promptly for class.) We will start at 9:30 am sharp.

I just love what I do and look forward to to working with everyone in class!❤️

Lunch will be provided along with water, coffee, teas, and chilled beverages. (Please indicate if you have any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please email Anthony at: [email protected].

Anthony has studied with some of the best mediums in the U.S and U.K such as James Van Praagh, Tony Stockwell, Mavis Pitilla, and Sheila French, just to name a few. He has completed a mentorship in mediumship with James Van Praagh and advanced mentorship with Mavis Pitilla. Anthony has also studied at the prestigious Arthur Findlay College in Stansted, England, in advanced mediumship.

Anthony Mikolojeski is known as the Asheville Medium. He has traveled internationally demonstrating mediumship on stage and provided personal readings. You can read more about his background, how he works or to book your next appointment at his website: ashevillemedium.com

Join Emily Bell of Rhythm & Ritual for an afternoon of broomcraft and connection.

More than a handcrafts class, Emily creates a ritual space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own cobweb broom.

A variety of broomsticks will be available to choose from and wood selection will be discussed, as well as cultivation of broomcorn.

This class is open to those who identify as women.
Class size is limited, so register early!

Note: this is a two-day course which takes place on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, 9:30AM-5PM each day.

This is a beginners class for students wanting to learn the skills, exercises, and the fundamentals of mediumship. (Students need to bring a pen and notebook. Printed handouts will be also provided.)

Anthony Mikolojeski will be teaching students the foundation and techniques behind mediumship, and all healing aspects. Students will begin to learn various exercises in how to expand their energy to connect with loved one’s in the spirit world. Students will be engaging in exercises with each other while being mentored by Anthony. They will learn the boundaries, the responsibilities and professional ethics surrounding doing this work.

We will be doing a few singing bowl meditations, practice in meeting spirit guides we haven’t met before and learning techniques on how to build your personal power.

(Because of the summer tourist season and increased high traffic, students will be expected to allow extra traveling time so you arrive promptly for class.) We will start at 9:30 am sharp.

I just love what I do and look forward to to working with everyone in class!❤️

Lunch will be provided along with water, coffee, teas, and chilled beverages. (Please indicate if you have any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please email Anthony at: [email protected].

Anthony has studied with some of the best mediums in the U.S and U.K such as James Van Praagh, Tony Stockwell, Mavis Pitilla, and Sheila French, just to name a few. He has completed a mentorship in mediumship with James Van Praagh and advanced mentorship with Mavis Pitilla. Anthony has also studied at the prestigious Arthur Findlay College in Stansted, England, in advanced mediumship.

Anthony Mikolojeski is known as the Asheville Medium. He has traveled internationally demonstrating mediumship on stage and provided personal readings. You can read more about his background, how he works or to book your next appointment at his website: ashevillemedium.com

Please join us for the 5th annual Love♡Shine♡Play Festival, July 28-31, 2022 (tentative date) taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of the world’s oldest mountains in gorgeous Asheville, NC. The festival classes take place in beautiful venues throughout downtown Asheville as well as our gorgeous & famous Pack Square Park. You will be able to choose from a variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes, and more. The pedestrian friendly festival will allow you to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of a city brimming with cultural arts, culinary delights, and many independent shops.

Once you have purchased your tickets, you will receive an order confirmation email from Eventbrite, our ticketing partner. Your e-ticket(s) will be attached to your order confirmation email. Important: if you do not see your order confirmation in your inbox, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. If you are still unable to find them, contact the Eventbrite help center here.

Event is rain or shine, and ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.

We look forward to seeing you in Asheville!

Wet felting, the process of applying water to layers of wool and repeatedly agitating them until the fibers weave together, has become very popular in the past few years. It’s fun, easy, and can be very useful!

In just a few hours, Camille Daunno will teach you how to make a beautiful wet felted vessel using only wool fibers, a plastic “resist,” soap, water, a few additional household items, and good old-fashioned elbow grease.

Once you learn how to wet felt—and especially after you get comfortable using resists—you’ll be able to make pretty much anything you can make using cloth: apparel, bags, and other accessories to wear or decorative your home.

Are you drawn to textiles but aren’t interested in creating garments or quilts? Does the idea of creating your own, custom fabric sound intriguing? If so, you’ll love this exciting, two-part workshop taught by mixed media artist Christy Ammerman.

In the first class, you’ll learn how to alter fabric by “rusting,” tea dying, and painting it. You’ll be surprised and delighted with the results!

The fun continues, however, in the second class, where Christy will show you how to turn your altered fabric into a unique textile hanging. She’ll demonstrate how to pick a focal piece and weave a story around it by carefully selecting, positioning, and layering your “new” fabric and incorporating trim and other embellishments.

After you create your design, Christy will give you options for assembling your piece and teach basic hand-stitching techniques. Finally, you’ll learn how to finish and display your one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

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.

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.