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.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
Clean Juice Asheville Smoothies benefits Verner Center for Early Learning
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Clean Juice Asheville

There is still time to stop in for a smoothie!

Now through Wednesday November 15th at Clean Juice Asheville, guests will receive a 16oz regular smoothie for free with a $2 donation to the Quarters for Kids charity benefiting Verner (this is an in-store promotion only, while supplies last)!

Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Survival
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Join us on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, and see the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed. “Monarchs and Milkweed” explores how very survival of these majestic creatures has been shaped over time by one another, traveling through the seasons of a calendar year and revealing how both insect and plant grow and interact, culminating in a massive migration that crosses a continent.

White Zombie 5k
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am
Catawba Brewing South Slope

Join us on October 28th for the 4th annual Catawba Brewing White Zombie 5k! Asheville’s only zombie race will start and end at Catawba’s South Slope Taproom on Banks Avenue at 9AM. 5k runners will be taken through a 3 different zombie “outbreak zones” along the course.

Registration includes a race t-shirt, a professionally chip timed 5k run, a commemorative bib as well as a Catawba beer for runners that are 21+. Interested in being a part of the fun without running? Sign up to volunteer!

Rooftop Yoga: Creative Flow Series
Oct 28 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Asheville Art Museum

In collaboration with West Asheville Yoga join us on the Museum’s Sculpture Terrace for a unique creative flow experience that combines the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement.

 

All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be held inside in the Windgate Foundation Atrium.

Yoga on the Sculpture Terrace: Creative Flow Series with West Asheville Yoga
Oct 28 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Asheville Art Museum

In collaboration with West Asheville Yoga join us on the Museum’s rooftop terrace for a unique Creative Flow yoga experience combining the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement.

All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, you will be held inside in the Museum’s Wingate Atrium.

6th Annual Beaverdam Studio Tour
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
North Asheville Area

6th Annual

Beaverdam Studio Tour

October 28 & 29 2023

Join us for a self-guided tour of artists’ studios in North Asheville’s beautiful Beaverdam Valley

The artists working in Beaverdam Valley—plus guest artists—are excited to welcome visitors to see their work, talk with them, and offer handmade art and craft for sale. Media include ceramics, painting, jewelry, sculpture, textiles, paper art, photography, and more.

Saturday, October 28 10am to 5pm
Sunday, October 29 10am to 4pm

All studios are off Beaverdam Road which is off Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville

Beaverdam Studio Tour
Angel Medical Center: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Angel Medical Center

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare’s Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

front entrance of Angel Medical Center at 124 One Center Court

Art Exhibition: Eden Revisited
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bender Gallery
Eve

acrylic on canvas

16 x 12 inches

LAINE BACHMAN

Eden Revisited

September 30 – October 30

Bender Gallery is excited to present Eden Revisited, a solo exhibition of thirty-plus lush, botanical paintings by popular artist Laine Bachman featuring real and imaginary creatures and goddess-like women with a deep connection to the natural world. Often inspired by myths, folklore, and nature, Bachman infuses the colorful worlds she creates with verdant foliage, archetypal imagery, underlying themes, exotic fauna, and meticulous detail.

Beaverdam Studio Tour
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Beaverdam Studio Tour

Twenty-six artists and craftspeople—21 who live in Beaverdam Valley plus 5 invited guest artists—are excited to welcome visitors to view their handmade artwork. Media include ceramics, painting, jewelry, sculpture, book art, textiles, photography, glass, mixed media, and more. Visitors come from Asheville, from over 15 states, and from cities and towns all over North Carolina. What they have in common is an appreciation for art and craft.
This year we have multiple artists in several locations—26 artists in only 17 sites—making this tour easy to see and easy to navigate. We hope you come out and visit all the talented artists. All studios are off Beaverdam Road, reached from Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville. This summer, tour maps will be available online and in our brochure. Visitors can learn more about our two-day, self-directed, geographically convenient tour, and view artists’ work on our website, in our brochure, in print and online advertising, and in articles. A downloadable map is available on the website.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare’s Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

Bring Your Artwork to Life with Adult Studio: Watercolor in the Mountains
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Join this month’s Adult Studio and learn about the materials and techniques needed to be successful with watercolors. This class seeks to make working with watercolors attainable for people at all levels. Over the course of four weeks students will be guided through making landscape and abstract works of art. Students will be encouraged to create their own original works of art. The class includes a tour of select exhibitions to discuss creative concepts and to become inspired by the artworks on view.

Creekside Play @ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

STATIONARY FUN – Creekside play area has a treehouse and wee slide ➤ The Big Barn has our Sound Silo full of instruments to play on and make noise, trikes on the trike track around a REAL tractor and cornhole boards(ask the staff for bags) ➤ On the grassy slope behind the Big Barn we’ve got our famous and fast culvert tunnel slides for all ages, hammocks on the hill and tetherball!

Availability: All stationary fun is available every day during business hours of 10-5, starting September 2nd, through the rest of the season- tetherball will be back in action starting September 6th!

ANIMALS TO SEE – We will have a brooder house full of chicks in various ages and stages all season, there will typically be mama pigs and piglets in agritourism pens on the hill, more rarely there will be grazing cattle in a nearby field.

FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE

9/2 Sat  11-4 Fern Leaf CCS Food Truck

9/16 Sat 11-4 Milk & Honey Food Truck – they will be serving HNG beef for their all-American burger!

9/24 Sun 11-4 *Big Barn Market* Root Down Farm Food Truck

9/30 Sat 11-4 Milk & Honey Food Truck

10/7 Sat 11-4 Fern Leaf CCS Food Truck

10/14 Sat 11-4 Milk & Honey Food Truck

10/15 Sun 11-4 El Bodegon Food Truck

10/22 Sun 11-4 El Bodegon Food Truck

10/29 Sun 11-4 *Big Barn Market* Grush’s Cajun Dino Grill Food Truck

11/4 Sat 11-4 Fern Leaf CCS Food Truck

FALL SEASONAL OFFERINGS

APPLES – Our partners in Edneyville, NC, Lyda Farms, bring some of the best in the region. Local and low spray, folks come every year to get the best of fall in NC by the bag to bake, stew, butter, sauce and of course, crunch into while sitting on the farm.

Availability: Apples will be available to buy starting September 9th, they will typically run out Mid to late October.

FRESH PRESSED CIDER – We press fresh apple cider every year, comprised of our historical orchard apples on the Old Sherrill’s Inn property and apples from our partner Lyda Farms. This is a raw, unpasteurized product – delicious and changeable as the season, no added sugar or seasonings.

Availability: 1st pressing September 13th, bottled cider will be in the store for purchase September 14th!

JACKOLANTERN PUMPKINS – We work with several WNC veggie farmers in the area, including Hawkins Farms. We’ll have pumpkins arranged all around the Farm Store to display their beauty AND make sure you get *just the right one*. The seeds are dynamite when roasted, too…

Availability: Coming Mid-September, they will typically run out by end of October so make sure you get yours! 

EDIBLE SQUASH & DECORATIVE GOURDS – From Mr. Anthony Cole’s farms, we have some long-lasting festive gourds to decoarate for the season, and a broad variety of edible squashes and pumpkins perfect for pies, soups and pasta.

Availability: Coming Mid-September.

Food Scraps Drop Off: West Asheville Library
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
West Asheville Library

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in

two locations for all Buncombe County residents.  This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin?  Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

 

Locations

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

    • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

    • Dawn – Dusk

 

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

        • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
        • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
Guided History Walk on 7th Ave./Historic Train Depot District with Mary Jo Padgett
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Hendersonville City Hall, front steps

Take a 90-plus minute stroll along 7th Avenue/Historic Depot District, where the action was when the first steam engine locomotives rolled into town starting in 1879 bringing hundreds of tourists. The district surrounding the historic Railroad Depot was where it was happening in the Gilded Age of Hendersonville from 1879, when the first steam locomotive arrived with hundreds of tourists daily, till the Crash of 1929 … learn about the drays, the hustle, the inns, the summer visitors, the shoot-outs, growth of agriculture, and popular candy stores.  These 90-plus minute walks occur rain or shine.  Please make a reservation, 828-545-3179.

All tours: $10 per person age 10 and over.  Children under 10 yrs. free with paying adult.

Meeting Place:  Hendersonville City Hall, front steps  (at corner of 5th Ave. E. and King St.)

Schedule a private tour anytime for your group.

Reservations/information:  828-545-3179

Guided Trail Walk
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Halloweenfest – Brevard NC
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Heart of Brevard

Count Dracula may not live full time in Transylvania County, but we’re pretty sure he clears his schedule every year for Heart of Brevard’s Halloweenfest, the trickiest, treat-iest, most spooktacular celebration around.

This “fang-tastic” event features FREE family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, our traditional costume competition and parade, the Magic Book Bus, a hula hoop dance party, the LEAF Easel Rider, food vendors and more. Join us for this amazing event and explore downtown Brevard’s businesses through a downtown Spooky Stroll Open House and downtown trick or treating!

This year’s event will be held on October 28th, 10am-5pm, in the Heart of Brevard.

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare’s Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

HOME + GARDEN SHOW + SENIOR EXPO
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
LAZOOM: CITY COMEDY TOUR
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am
LaZoom Room

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

  • Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
  • 90-Minutes – tours run daily
  • 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
  • $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Mars Hill Farmers and Artisans Market
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mars Hill University on College St.

Saturdays through Oct. 30. On College Street adjacent to campus of Mars Hill University. Music by Aaron Dingus. Visit www.marshillmarket.org.

Mission Hospital McDowell Campus: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mission Hospital--McDowell Campus

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare's Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

Mission Hospital: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mission Hospital

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare's Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pritchard Park

Ooh La La Curiosity Market is an artist’s market that takes place in Pritchard Park, located in the center of beautiful downtown Asheville and will showcase the work of more than a dozen local artists. Taking place on Saturdays throughout Summer and every Saturday in October. Ooh La La will feature works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic and jazz acts.

StreamKeeper Training
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
304 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville GreenWorks StreamKeepers: 1. Play a bigger role in protecting our community against the changing climate 2. Work with other community members to take action 3. Empower themselves and others with knowledge of local issues and resources 4. Take care of our waterways through cleanups and Trash Trout maintenance

This two-part training series will include a virtual program orientation (10/25) and an in-person training (10/28). Any interested individuals should commit to participating in both trainings to become a GreenWorks StreamKeeper. Residents of both Buncombe and Henderson Counties are encouraged to join!

StreamKeeper Duties Create and support cleanups (creek, roadside, and river) Support and maintain Trash Trout litter capturing devices Turn in water quality violations to AGW for further investigation Have a great time!

Communication: You would be added to a private Google Group to communicate with your fellow StreamKeepers, where staff and volunteers discuss projects, problems, workdays, and meetups.

Time Requirement: We ask our StreamKeepers to be active at least once monthly. That could be creating your own cleanup, joining a group project, scouting, turning in violations, or working on local advocacy…you name it! StreamKeepers must attend one-hour monthly meetings on the first Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

After completing the 4-hour training course, you’ll have access to all the gear and support you need to succeed!

Need to know

Virtual Training Wednesday, October 25th, 6-8 pm (will be recorded) In-Person Training Saturday, October 28th, 10:00 am-12:00 pm 304 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801 (Nasty Branch Trash Trout) More information will be sent out ahead of these trainings. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Transylvania Regional Hospital: Crush the Crisis
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Transylvania Regional Hospital

HCA Healthcare is committed to bringing frontline solutions to curb the tide of opioid
misuse and addiction in the communities that we are proud to serve. On Saturday,
anyone in the community can safely and anonymously drop off unused and expired
medication for proper disposal. Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the
United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021.
HCA Healthcare's Crush the Crisis events across the country will align with National
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
During last year’s event, Mission Heath collected 270 pounds of unused and expired
medication as part of Crush the Crisis.
Items that will not be accepted are: Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Illegal drugs. Together,
we can help make our communities safer and healthier. Find out
more: HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis

Willy Wonka Jr.
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am
HART Theatre

Willy Wonka Jr.

By Timothy Allen McDonald & Leslie Bricusse
In the Fangmeyer Theatre

Do you have the golden ticket?

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Suitable for all audiences.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Oct 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.

Beary Scary Halloween
Oct 28 @ 11:00 am – 3:30 pm
Grandfather Mountain

 

Visit Grandfather Mountain for an afternoon of nature programs about animals that some consider creepy and crawly! This fun-filled celebration includes an opportunity to trick-or-treat through the animal habitats area and then watch special Halloween enrichments be given to the animals. Plus, children in costume are admitted at half-price. Included with admission.

Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting
Oct 28 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Throughout the history of painting from the mid-19th century forward, artists have used an

endless variety of approaches to record their world. Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting continues this thread, offering an opportunity to explore a singular and still forceful aspect of American art. Photorealism shares many of the approaches of historical and modernist realism, with a twist. The use of the camera as a basic tool for organizing visual information in advance of painterly expression is now quite common, but Photorealists embraced the camera as the focal point in their creative process.

Beyond the Lens presents key works from the collection of Louis K. and Susan Pear Meisel,

bringing together paintings and works on paper dating from the 1970s to the present to focus on this profoundly influential art movement. The exhibition includes work by highly acclaimed formative artists of the movement such as Charles Bell, Robert Bechtle, Tom Blackwell, Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, and Ralph Goings as well as paintings by the successive generations of Photorealist artists Anthony Brunelli, Davis Cone, Bertrand Meniel, Rod Penner, and Raphaella Spence. Featured artworks in the exhibition include diverse subject matters, but the primary focus is on the common and every day: urban scenes, “portraits” of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, still life compositions using toys, food, candy wrappers, and salt and pepper shakers. All provide opportunities for virtuoso studies in how light, reflection, and the camera as intermediary shapes our perception of the material world.

This multigenerational survey demonstrates how the 35-mm camera, and later technological

advances in digital image-making, informed and impacted the painterly gesture. Taken together, the paintings and works on paper in Beyond the Lens show how simply spellbinding these virtuosic works of art can be.

Beyond the Lens offers a fascinating look into the Photorealism movement and delves into the profound connection between the artists’ observation and creative process,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of Asheville Art Museum. “We are delighted to present this curated collection of artworks encapsulating the creative vision and technical precision that defines this artistic genre.”

Photorealism found its roots in the late 1960s in California and New York, coexisting with an explosion of new ideas in art-making that included Conceptual, Pop, Minimalism, Land and Performance Art. At first, representational realism coexisted with the thematic and conceptual explosion but was eventually relegated to the margins regarding critical and curatorial attention. Often misunderstood and sometimes negatively criticized or lampooned as a betrayal of modernism’s commitment to abstraction, the artists involved in Photorealism remained committed explorers of the trail they had blazed. In the decades of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, realistic and symbolic painting experienced a renaissance, as contemporary artists are increasingly drawn to narrative and storytelling. Concurrently, using a camera as a preparatory tool equally legitimate and valuable as pencils and pens has made the rubric of Photorealism increasingly relevant.

This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and guest curated by Terrie Sultan.

This exhibition is sponsored in part by Jim and Julia Calkins Peterson.

Hayrides @ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Oct 28 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

HAYRIDES – Brought to you by Project HNG our sister nonprofit! Proceeds go to Project HNG. Suitable for all ages, babies in arms are free, 16 people per ride.

Availability: every Saturday & Sunday starting September 2nd through November 11th. 11am-4pm, last ride goes out at 3:30pm. May be cancelled due to tremendous weather conditions.