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.

Monday, May 28, 2018
Red Hot in the Blue Ridge
May 28 all-day
175 Biltmore Avenue

The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures.  Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.

the point in between: the ART of PHIL KURZ
May 28 all-day
Flood Gallery

revolution, religion, identity, insanity…and love

Curated by Cynthia Hatfield

An exhibit of paintings, drawings, comic strips, writings and assemblages by self-taught, D.C.-area artist Phil Kurz who was a prescient conduit for topics both emotionally personal and philosophically universal. Phil’s art ranges in style from graphic figures & illustrations to geometric & organic abstractions. Highly-intelligent, serious, honest & sensitive, the schizophrenia that plagued him also informed him.

A percentage of sales of select works will go to the Unicef Safety in School Fund and the Asheville Southside Kitchen in memory of Phil Kurz.

Exhibition catalog available for sale.

Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline
May 28 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline @ Odyssey ClayWorks   |  |  |

5-Day Workshop
May 28-June 1
Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4:30 pm

As humans, we all develop our own personal mythologies. These help us relate to each other and to the world around us. We create our own history filled with characters that enchant or revile us, inspire us to seek higher purpose, or serve as reflections of our own experience. We find meaning in their anecdotal wanderings, adventures, and tragedies. Their stories become parables in our own lives, offering us laws to abide by, bend, or even break. In this way, we are able to uncover more of our own truth.

As ceramists, we are also inspired by and connected to the potters who came before us. In this workshop, we will examine the construction methods of several masterpieces of classical pottery from the Greek, Chinese, and Peruvian traditions. We will first analyze and discuss the way these pieces reflect the culture that created them. Then, we will focus on decorating them with images representing modern or contemporary myths, both personal and communal. Techniques taught in this workshop will include team throwing, assembling large pots in sections, stamping and stenciling, sgraffito and mishima, and digital projector image transfer.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Tuition: $595 + $75 Lab Fee

Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline
May 28 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline @ Odyssey ClayWorks   |  |  |

5-Day Workshop
May 28-June 1
Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4:30 pm

As humans, we all develop our own personal mythologies. These help us relate to each other and to the world around us. We create our own history filled with characters that enchant or revile us, inspire us to seek higher purpose, or serve as reflections of our own experience. We find meaning in their anecdotal wanderings, adventures, and tragedies. Their stories become parables in our own lives, offering us laws to abide by, bend, or even break. In this way, we are able to uncover more of our own truth.

As ceramists, we are also inspired by and connected to the potters who came before us. In this workshop, we will examine the construction methods of several masterpieces of classical pottery from the Greek, Chinese, and Peruvian traditions. We will first analyze and discuss the way these pieces reflect the culture that created them. Then, we will focus on decorating them with images representing modern or contemporary myths, both personal and communal. Techniques taught in this workshop will include team throwing, assembling large pots in sections, stamping and stenciling, sgraffito and mishima, and digital projector image transfer.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Tuition: $595 + $75 Lab Fee

Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline
May 28 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Historical Forms, Contemporary Myths with Anja Bartels and Gabriel Kline @ Odyssey ClayWorks   |  |  |

5-Day Workshop
May 28-June 1
Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4:30 pm

As humans, we all develop our own personal mythologies. These help us relate to each other and to the world around us. We create our own history filled with characters that enchant or revile us, inspire us to seek higher purpose, or serve as reflections of our own experience. We find meaning in their anecdotal wanderings, adventures, and tragedies. Their stories become parables in our own lives, offering us laws to abide by, bend, or even break. In this way, we are able to uncover more of our own truth.

As ceramists, we are also inspired by and connected to the potters who came before us. In this workshop, we will examine the construction methods of several masterpieces of classical pottery from the Greek, Chinese, and Peruvian traditions. We will first analyze and discuss the way these pieces reflect the culture that created them. Then, we will focus on decorating them with images representing modern or contemporary myths, both personal and communal. Techniques taught in this workshop will include team throwing, assembling large pots in sections, stamping and stenciling, sgraffito and mishima, and digital projector image transfer.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Tuition: $595 + $75 Lab Fee

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Chihuly at Biltmore
May 29 all-day
Biltmore House

The Biltmore Estate has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for almost a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces from all around the world reside in 14 locations around the Estate (which is the very first large-scale N.C. Chihuly installation).

The exhibition is up from now until Oct. 7th, free admission with a Biltmore day pass (and free for annual pass holders)Chihuly at Nightis a special, ongoing event where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults ($10 discount for pass holders).

Three new works
 were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together.

Interconnected curated by Ka Amorastreya
May 29 all-day
NC

Interconnected – mutually joined or related : having internal connections between the parts or elements

We are all interconnected. Intrinsically interwoven with each other, with nature, with the animals, with our biosphere, the rest of the entire universe, and Spirit, God, or divinity, we cannot be excluded from the fabric of creation.
When we live in a way that honors this connection, we are healthy and in balance with the world and within ourselves. The golden rule is to ‘do unto others, as you would have them do unto you’, because what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Whether it be harmful, or helpful, the effects of our deeds are felt throughout the fabric of reality, and always ripple back to their source.
One of the many challenges we face in current civilization is widespread depression. Depression is a symptom of isolation, loneliness, and a feeling of not belonging. Our current dominant social model is one of ‘each one for himself’, and extreme independence. The notions of ‘us vs them’ that stem from isolation, can lead to xenophobia, racism, hatred, and other diseases of the spirit.

Re-membering our inherent interconnection is a powerful anecdote for the malaise of isolation.

Interconnection is one of the strongest recurring themes within the Visionary Art movement. This genre of art attempts to bring healing to the schisms of society, and remind humanity that we are not separate, nor alone.  Some people call it “medicine art” or “spiritual art”. Visionary artists share a common longing to open hearts and minds with their art, and help people remember how connected and integrated we all are.

Visionary art is only recently emerging from the underground, and has morphed over the past decade from loosely meaning “self-taught” or “psychedelic”, into a multi-cultural exploration, uplifting and showcasing the spirit, while revealing the interconnections between humanity and the entirety of creation.
The artists exhibited here express interconnection in differing ways, from the basic geometric template that the world is formed around, the plant & animal kingdoms, the realms of spirits, fae, and devas, to the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Participating artists: Andy Reed,  Annie Bennett, Ashley Spero, Chris Sheehan, CJ Randall, Dillon Endico, Ka Amorastreya, Marina Jessica, Mark Hanf, Ryan O’Sullivan

The opening reception for Interconnected will be Friday, June 1, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Thom Robinson and Ray Griffin Exhibition Space.  An artist talk will start at 6:30 pm.

Our Community
May 29 all-day
NC

The AAAC is excited to welcome the kindergartners of Ira B. Jones Elementary into the Hall Gallery. The kindergarten classes are working on a new social studies unit called Our Community. In this unit they will be exploring questions like: Why do people work? How we can help our community? What are our community’s needs and wants? The students will be learning about different kinds of neighborhoods like rural, city, suburban, and why they are important.
In art class the students will apply their understanding of these topics by creating a paper collage of their neighborhood. They will use various paper shapes to create a collage of a neighborhood. The neighborhoods will “link” together with a road that “unites” us all as one community.
The creations inspired by this lessons will be on display Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm from May 4 – June 29, 2018.

Red Hot in the Blue Ridge
May 29 all-day
175 Biltmore Avenue

The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures.  Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.

the point in between: the ART of PHIL KURZ
May 29 all-day
Flood Gallery

revolution, religion, identity, insanity…and love

Curated by Cynthia Hatfield

An exhibit of paintings, drawings, comic strips, writings and assemblages by self-taught, D.C.-area artist Phil Kurz who was a prescient conduit for topics both emotionally personal and philosophically universal. Phil’s art ranges in style from graphic figures & illustrations to geometric & organic abstractions. Highly-intelligent, serious, honest & sensitive, the schizophrenia that plagued him also informed him.

A percentage of sales of select works will go to the Unicef Safety in School Fund and the Asheville Southside Kitchen in memory of Phil Kurz.

Exhibition catalog available for sale.

Artist Business Brainstorm: Business Tips for the Creative Entrepreneur
May 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NC

Artist Business Brainstorm: Business Tips for the Creative Entrepreneur
Artist Business Brainstorm Sessions are FREE group brainstorming opportunities for artist entrepreneurs who are members of AAAC at any level or $15.00 to non-members (which will be applied to an Individual Membership) to meet with professionals in the business field. These sessions provide an artist looking for individual coaching on a specific topic the opportunity to meet with a skilled professional willing to offer suggestions to help grow their business. The AAAC is interested in supporting artists who are serious about strengthening, developing and growing their businesses. We believe Asheville area businesses and artists can support each other through creative collaboration that will ultimately enhance our community.
With over 25 years in the same successful contracting business in the same town Kathleen Lewis must be doing something right. Kathleen owns and operates SewLink/Southern Decor, a professional sewing contracting company here in Asheville for over 25 years. She is also a clothing designer and fiber artist who has showcased her work in various art shows in Western North Carolina as well as galleries such as Woolworth Walk Gallery and Gallery of the Mountains at the Historic Grove Park Inn. During the artist brainstorm session, Kathleen will be offering business tips for how the creative entrepreneur can successfully build and market their brand.
This event has limited seating. $15 for non-members will be collected at the door.
Sign up now

Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Chihuly at Biltmore
May 30 all-day
Biltmore House

The Biltmore Estate has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for almost a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces from all around the world reside in 14 locations around the Estate (which is the very first large-scale N.C. Chihuly installation).

The exhibition is up from now until Oct. 7th, free admission with a Biltmore day pass (and free for annual pass holders)Chihuly at Nightis a special, ongoing event where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults ($10 discount for pass holders).

Three new works
 were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together.

Interconnected curated by Ka Amorastreya
May 30 all-day
NC

Interconnected – mutually joined or related : having internal connections between the parts or elements

We are all interconnected. Intrinsically interwoven with each other, with nature, with the animals, with our biosphere, the rest of the entire universe, and Spirit, God, or divinity, we cannot be excluded from the fabric of creation.
When we live in a way that honors this connection, we are healthy and in balance with the world and within ourselves. The golden rule is to ‘do unto others, as you would have them do unto you’, because what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Whether it be harmful, or helpful, the effects of our deeds are felt throughout the fabric of reality, and always ripple back to their source.
One of the many challenges we face in current civilization is widespread depression. Depression is a symptom of isolation, loneliness, and a feeling of not belonging. Our current dominant social model is one of ‘each one for himself’, and extreme independence. The notions of ‘us vs them’ that stem from isolation, can lead to xenophobia, racism, hatred, and other diseases of the spirit.

Re-membering our inherent interconnection is a powerful anecdote for the malaise of isolation.

Interconnection is one of the strongest recurring themes within the Visionary Art movement. This genre of art attempts to bring healing to the schisms of society, and remind humanity that we are not separate, nor alone.  Some people call it “medicine art” or “spiritual art”. Visionary artists share a common longing to open hearts and minds with their art, and help people remember how connected and integrated we all are.

Visionary art is only recently emerging from the underground, and has morphed over the past decade from loosely meaning “self-taught” or “psychedelic”, into a multi-cultural exploration, uplifting and showcasing the spirit, while revealing the interconnections between humanity and the entirety of creation.
The artists exhibited here express interconnection in differing ways, from the basic geometric template that the world is formed around, the plant & animal kingdoms, the realms of spirits, fae, and devas, to the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Participating artists: Andy Reed,  Annie Bennett, Ashley Spero, Chris Sheehan, CJ Randall, Dillon Endico, Ka Amorastreya, Marina Jessica, Mark Hanf, Ryan O’Sullivan

The opening reception for Interconnected will be Friday, June 1, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Thom Robinson and Ray Griffin Exhibition Space.  An artist talk will start at 6:30 pm.

Our Community
May 30 all-day
NC

The AAAC is excited to welcome the kindergartners of Ira B. Jones Elementary into the Hall Gallery. The kindergarten classes are working on a new social studies unit called Our Community. In this unit they will be exploring questions like: Why do people work? How we can help our community? What are our community’s needs and wants? The students will be learning about different kinds of neighborhoods like rural, city, suburban, and why they are important.
In art class the students will apply their understanding of these topics by creating a paper collage of their neighborhood. They will use various paper shapes to create a collage of a neighborhood. The neighborhoods will “link” together with a road that “unites” us all as one community.
The creations inspired by this lessons will be on display Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm from May 4 – June 29, 2018.

Red Hot in the Blue Ridge
May 30 all-day
175 Biltmore Avenue

The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures.  Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.

the point in between: the ART of PHIL KURZ
May 30 all-day
Flood Gallery

revolution, religion, identity, insanity…and love

Curated by Cynthia Hatfield

An exhibit of paintings, drawings, comic strips, writings and assemblages by self-taught, D.C.-area artist Phil Kurz who was a prescient conduit for topics both emotionally personal and philosophically universal. Phil’s art ranges in style from graphic figures & illustrations to geometric & organic abstractions. Highly-intelligent, serious, honest & sensitive, the schizophrenia that plagued him also informed him.

A percentage of sales of select works will go to the Unicef Safety in School Fund and the Asheville Southside Kitchen in memory of Phil Kurz.

Exhibition catalog available for sale.

Thursday, May 31, 2018
Chihuly at Biltmore
May 31 all-day
Biltmore House

The Biltmore Estate has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for almost a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces from all around the world reside in 14 locations around the Estate (which is the very first large-scale N.C. Chihuly installation).

The exhibition is up from now until Oct. 7th, free admission with a Biltmore day pass (and free for annual pass holders)Chihuly at Nightis a special, ongoing event where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults ($10 discount for pass holders).

Three new works
 were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together.

Interconnected curated by Ka Amorastreya
May 31 all-day
NC

Interconnected – mutually joined or related : having internal connections between the parts or elements

We are all interconnected. Intrinsically interwoven with each other, with nature, with the animals, with our biosphere, the rest of the entire universe, and Spirit, God, or divinity, we cannot be excluded from the fabric of creation.
When we live in a way that honors this connection, we are healthy and in balance with the world and within ourselves. The golden rule is to ‘do unto others, as you would have them do unto you’, because what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Whether it be harmful, or helpful, the effects of our deeds are felt throughout the fabric of reality, and always ripple back to their source.
One of the many challenges we face in current civilization is widespread depression. Depression is a symptom of isolation, loneliness, and a feeling of not belonging. Our current dominant social model is one of ‘each one for himself’, and extreme independence. The notions of ‘us vs them’ that stem from isolation, can lead to xenophobia, racism, hatred, and other diseases of the spirit.

Re-membering our inherent interconnection is a powerful anecdote for the malaise of isolation.

Interconnection is one of the strongest recurring themes within the Visionary Art movement. This genre of art attempts to bring healing to the schisms of society, and remind humanity that we are not separate, nor alone.  Some people call it “medicine art” or “spiritual art”. Visionary artists share a common longing to open hearts and minds with their art, and help people remember how connected and integrated we all are.

Visionary art is only recently emerging from the underground, and has morphed over the past decade from loosely meaning “self-taught” or “psychedelic”, into a multi-cultural exploration, uplifting and showcasing the spirit, while revealing the interconnections between humanity and the entirety of creation.
The artists exhibited here express interconnection in differing ways, from the basic geometric template that the world is formed around, the plant & animal kingdoms, the realms of spirits, fae, and devas, to the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Participating artists: Andy Reed,  Annie Bennett, Ashley Spero, Chris Sheehan, CJ Randall, Dillon Endico, Ka Amorastreya, Marina Jessica, Mark Hanf, Ryan O’Sullivan

The opening reception for Interconnected will be Friday, June 1, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Thom Robinson and Ray Griffin Exhibition Space.  An artist talk will start at 6:30 pm.

Our Community
May 31 all-day
NC

The AAAC is excited to welcome the kindergartners of Ira B. Jones Elementary into the Hall Gallery. The kindergarten classes are working on a new social studies unit called Our Community. In this unit they will be exploring questions like: Why do people work? How we can help our community? What are our community’s needs and wants? The students will be learning about different kinds of neighborhoods like rural, city, suburban, and why they are important.
In art class the students will apply their understanding of these topics by creating a paper collage of their neighborhood. They will use various paper shapes to create a collage of a neighborhood. The neighborhoods will “link” together with a road that “unites” us all as one community.
The creations inspired by this lessons will be on display Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm from May 4 – June 29, 2018.

Red Hot in the Blue Ridge
May 31 all-day
175 Biltmore Avenue

The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures.  Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.

the point in between: the ART of PHIL KURZ
May 31 all-day
Flood Gallery

revolution, religion, identity, insanity…and love

Curated by Cynthia Hatfield

An exhibit of paintings, drawings, comic strips, writings and assemblages by self-taught, D.C.-area artist Phil Kurz who was a prescient conduit for topics both emotionally personal and philosophically universal. Phil’s art ranges in style from graphic figures & illustrations to geometric & organic abstractions. Highly-intelligent, serious, honest & sensitive, the schizophrenia that plagued him also informed him.

A percentage of sales of select works will go to the Unicef Safety in School Fund and the Asheville Southside Kitchen in memory of Phil Kurz.

Exhibition catalog available for sale.

Friday, June 1, 2018
“Color Our World”
Jun 1 all-day
Asheville Gallery of Art
“Color Our World” @ Asheville Gallery of Art |  |  |

Asheville Gallery of Art’s June show, “Color Our World,” will feature the work of
Reda Kay whose use of vividly bold color and symbolism captures the essence of
time and place. The show runs June 1-30 during gallery hours, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. The gallery, located at 82 Patton
Avenue in Asheville, across from Pritchard Park, will host a reception for the artist
on Friday, June 1, from 5-8 p.m. Everyone is cordially invited to stop by.
The artist’s personal expression is her abstracted, mysterious landscapes. Having
traveled to all seven continents, she says she has had a variety of colors, images,
and perspectives to choose from for her paintings. Her art materials are acrylic and
mixed media on canvas which allows her to incorporate rich textures in her work.
“I believe painting abstractly can be riskier and more challenging. Non-objective
images leave it to the viewer to discover the content, which invites them to be
more involved”
Kay says she enjoys experimenting with materials, which keeps her excited about
going into her studio. “I begin using a minimum of three colors from my palette,
but my process is not planned. There isn’t a lot of conscious thought to what I want
to express even though I may have some vague unconscious idea about it.” She
considers herself an “accidental artist.” Although her mother was an artist, as was
her son, she didn’t grow up studying art. Her interest began when she moved to
Asheville in 1993 and took a watercolor class “for fun.” She soon chose to study
painting, attending workshops, and setting up a studio in the home that she shares
with her partner, Ellen.
The artist was juried into Asheville Gallery of Art in 2000. “I consider it a
privilege to have my art work seen, to matter, to know that what I feel, and what I
paint is meaningful to those who collect my work.” Asheville Gallery of Art and
Miya Gallery in Weaverville exhibit her work, which can be also found in private
collections in the USA and Internationally.
Kay’s work, as well as the paintings of the other 30 gallery members will be on
display and for sale through the month of June. For further information about this
show, you can contact Asheville Gallery of Art at (828) 251-5796, visit the gallery
website at www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com, or go to the gallery Facebook page.

Chihuly at Biltmore
Jun 1 all-day
Biltmore House

The Biltmore Estate has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for almost a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces from all around the world reside in 14 locations around the Estate (which is the very first large-scale N.C. Chihuly installation).

The exhibition is up from now until Oct. 7th, free admission with a Biltmore day pass (and free for annual pass holders)Chihuly at Nightis a special, ongoing event where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults ($10 discount for pass holders).

Three new works
 were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together.

Interconnected curated by Ka Amorastreya
Jun 1 all-day
NC

Interconnected – mutually joined or related : having internal connections between the parts or elements

We are all interconnected. Intrinsically interwoven with each other, with nature, with the animals, with our biosphere, the rest of the entire universe, and Spirit, God, or divinity, we cannot be excluded from the fabric of creation.
When we live in a way that honors this connection, we are healthy and in balance with the world and within ourselves. The golden rule is to ‘do unto others, as you would have them do unto you’, because what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Whether it be harmful, or helpful, the effects of our deeds are felt throughout the fabric of reality, and always ripple back to their source.
One of the many challenges we face in current civilization is widespread depression. Depression is a symptom of isolation, loneliness, and a feeling of not belonging. Our current dominant social model is one of ‘each one for himself’, and extreme independence. The notions of ‘us vs them’ that stem from isolation, can lead to xenophobia, racism, hatred, and other diseases of the spirit.

Re-membering our inherent interconnection is a powerful anecdote for the malaise of isolation.

Interconnection is one of the strongest recurring themes within the Visionary Art movement. This genre of art attempts to bring healing to the schisms of society, and remind humanity that we are not separate, nor alone.  Some people call it “medicine art” or “spiritual art”. Visionary artists share a common longing to open hearts and minds with their art, and help people remember how connected and integrated we all are.

Visionary art is only recently emerging from the underground, and has morphed over the past decade from loosely meaning “self-taught” or “psychedelic”, into a multi-cultural exploration, uplifting and showcasing the spirit, while revealing the interconnections between humanity and the entirety of creation.
The artists exhibited here express interconnection in differing ways, from the basic geometric template that the world is formed around, the plant & animal kingdoms, the realms of spirits, fae, and devas, to the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Participating artists: Andy Reed,  Annie Bennett, Ashley Spero, Chris Sheehan, CJ Randall, Dillon Endico, Ka Amorastreya, Marina Jessica, Mark Hanf, Ryan O’Sullivan

The opening reception for Interconnected will be Friday, June 1, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Thom Robinson and Ray Griffin Exhibition Space.  An artist talk will start at 6:30 pm.

Our Community
Jun 1 all-day
NC

The AAAC is excited to welcome the kindergartners of Ira B. Jones Elementary into the Hall Gallery. The kindergarten classes are working on a new social studies unit called Our Community. In this unit they will be exploring questions like: Why do people work? How we can help our community? What are our community’s needs and wants? The students will be learning about different kinds of neighborhoods like rural, city, suburban, and why they are important.
In art class the students will apply their understanding of these topics by creating a paper collage of their neighborhood. They will use various paper shapes to create a collage of a neighborhood. The neighborhoods will “link” together with a road that “unites” us all as one community.
The creations inspired by this lessons will be on display Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm from May 4 – June 29, 2018.

Process
Jun 1 all-day
NC

Process is a collaborative exhibit by Erica Stankwytch Bailey, Asheville Makers, The Bright Angle with special guest artist Emily Rogstad.
This exhibition offers insight into the working worlds of creative collaborations and independent makers. Artifacts demonstrating inception of idea, design and making will be shown alongside finished pieces to illustrate the inherent value of the creative process.
“The creative process is not just iterative; it’s also recursive. It plays out “in the large” and “in the small”—in defining the broadest goals and concepts and refining the smallest details. It branches like a tree, and each choice has ramifications, which may not be known in advance.” -Dubberly Design Office
Erica Stankwytch Bailey is a Metalsmith and small business owner who designs and makes handmade artisan jewelry. Many of her pieces are inspired by an intense fascination with the building blocks of our world, most specifically molecular and crystalline structures.
The Bright Angle is a modern design company focused on showcasing the process and story behind the makers and products. At The Bright  Angle we emphasize practical utility and technology to offer handmade lifestyle goods through carefully curated designer-maker collaborations.
Emily Rogstad graduated in 2013 with a BFA in Metalsmithing + Jewelry from Maine College of Art. After some traveling she moved to Penland School of Crafts for two years for the Core Fellowship. Now a resident of Asheville, North Carolina she spends her time maintaining an inquisitive studio practice, and enjoying the mountains. She is currently the new Design Resident with The Bright Angle.
Asheville Makers is a makerspace in the Asheville area. They are a community of tinkerers, makers, engineers, educators, scientists, artists, hackers, geeks, etc. Anyone who is, aspires to be, or just wants to hang around with local smart, creative, friendly mad scientist folk is welcome!
Process will be open in the Front Gallery of the Refinery Creator Space from June 1 – July 27, 2018 with an opening reception on Friday, June 1 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Red Hot in the Blue Ridge
Jun 1 all-day
175 Biltmore Avenue

The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures.  Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.

Shared History
Jun 1 all-day
56 Broadway

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. As the last exhibition to be held in our 56 Broadway gallery before we move to 120 College Street on Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville, Shared History highlights not just the museum’s origins, collection, programs, and exhibitions but also the many ways that this organization has created a space for connection and experimentation. This fulfills our early promise to BMC alumni to be not merely a museum memorializing the past, but a center geared towards building community and fostering forward-thinking creativity in the present. An Opening Reception will be held on June 1st from 5:30PM – 8PM, with a Gallery Talk by Exhibition Curator, Erin Dickey, at 6:30PM. We welcome all who have been a part of our history, and hope that new audiences will gain insight into the scope of BMCM+AC’s reach, both locally and around the globe. This event is FREE and Open to the Public

the point in between: the ART of PHIL KURZ
Jun 1 all-day
Flood Gallery

revolution, religion, identity, insanity…and love

Curated by Cynthia Hatfield

An exhibit of paintings, drawings, comic strips, writings and assemblages by self-taught, D.C.-area artist Phil Kurz who was a prescient conduit for topics both emotionally personal and philosophically universal. Phil’s art ranges in style from graphic figures & illustrations to geometric & organic abstractions. Highly-intelligent, serious, honest & sensitive, the schizophrenia that plagued him also informed him.

A percentage of sales of select works will go to the Unicef Safety in School Fund and the Asheville Southside Kitchen in memory of Phil Kurz.

Exhibition catalog available for sale.

Craft City Workshop: Mini-macrame Plant Hangers
Jun 1 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft
Craft City Workshop: Mini-macrame Plant Hangers @ Center for Craft |  |  |

Bring a little joy to your day and make your very own mini-macramé plant hanger to hang in your house or office! This workshop will teach you the basic techniques used in macramé, a type of fiber art in which rope is knotted in decorative patterns for functional uses, using a locally made and organic cotton lanyard yarn from Echoview Fiber Mill.

Craft kits include all the materials you’ll need: a planter, a succulent, and a washer for easy hanging. Learning these basic macramé knots will allow you to scale up your project in the future using rope to create plant hangers for your home or to give as gifts!

Craft kits are just $12 each and include all the materials needed to complete one craft AND a voucher for a fully loaded hotdog (or tempe-dog) from Foothills Local Meats hotdog cart. No pre-registration required. $5 admission (12 & up) without the purchase of a craft kit (includes one hotdog voucher). Free admission for children under 12. Collaborative community projects will be on-site, free and suitable for all ages!

Craft City Workshops are sponsored in part by Buchi Kombucha and Asheville Made.

The Center for Craft is supported in part by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.