In the early 1900s, travel by train and automobile became more accessible in the United States, leading to an increase in tourism and a revitalized interest in landscape painting. The relative ease of transportation, as well as the creation of National Parks, allowed people to experience the breathtaking landscapes of the United States in new ways. Artists traveled along popular routes, recording the terrain they encountered.

This exhibition explores the sublime natural landscapes of the Smokey Mountains of Western North Carolina and Tennessee. While there were several regional schools of painting around this time, this group is largely from the Midwest and many of the artists trained at the Art Institute of Chicago or in New York City. Through their travels, they captured waterfalls, sunsets, thunderstorms, autumn foliage, lush green summers, and snow-covered mountains—elements that were novel for viewers from cities and rural areas. Though some of these paintings include people, they are usually used for scale and painted with little to no detail, highlighting the magnificence of nature.

Rudolph F. Ingerle, Mirrored Mountain, not dated, oil on canvas, 28 × 32 inches. Courtesy of Allen & Barry Huffman, Asheville Art Museum.

Robert Turner (1913-2005) arrived at Black Mountain College in 1949 to establish the first studio pottery program at the College. He worked with student architect Paul Williams to design the Potshop and stayed until 1951 as a teacher and potter. There he formed lifelong friendships with M.C. Richards, Joe Fiore, and Natasha Goldowski Renner, and was part of the lively mix of art and ideas generated by Clement Greenberg, Katherine Litz, Kenneth Noland, Theodoros Stamos, and many others. Turner’s education prior to his arrival at Black Mountain included Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Barnes Foundation, Penland School of Crafts, and Alfred University.

After Black Mountain, Turner and his family moved to Alfred Station, NY where they bought a farm, and he established a successful studio pottery practice and actively exhibited his work in galleries across the U.S. In 1958 he began teaching pottery and sculpture at Alfred University where he would lead the ceramics program until his retirement in 1979. In addition to his influential teaching position at Alfred, Turner taught at Penland, Haystack, and Anderson Ranch helping a new generation of artists and potters develop their work and establishing his own reputation as a gifted teacher.

Robert Turner’s travels to Africa and to the American Southwest proved to be important life experiences and important to his growth as an artist. Over his lifetime he received many awards for his work, but his humble, gentle demeanor and Quaker background helped keep him centered while also remaining open to exploration and discovery in nature and life.

The exhibition will include work by some of Turner’s students and colleagues at BMC, Alfred University, and Penland as well as work by contemporary ceramic artists whose work fits within the context of the show. Artists include: Meredith Brickell, Cynthia Bringle, Marjorie Dial, Cynthia Homire, Bill C. Jones, Bobby Kaddis, Karen Karnes, Eric Knoche, Jeannine Marchand, Neil Noland, Daniel Rhodes, M.C. Richards, Gay Smith, Tom Spleth, Adele Suska, Lydia C. Thompson, Xavier Toubes, Jerilyn Virden, Peter Voulkos, David Weinrib, and Kensuke Yamáda.

I wanted to work with clay so that the way it moved, the vitality of clay, is not meeting something that’s been on the drawing board. It’s using clay with abstraction to start with and then seeing what it’s going to do, how it will move and change, and always surprise you.

Curated by Alice Sebrell, Director of Preservation

Bender Gallery Artists Featured in Asheville Art Museum Exhibition The New Salon: A Contemporary View The Asheville Art Museum will be opening their exhibit, The New Salon: A Contemporary View, on March 8 and it will run until August 19, 2024. The New Salon offers a modern take on the prestigious tradition of the Parisian Salon with the diversity and innovation of today’s art world. Guest-curated by Gabriel Shaffer, the show will include works from Pop Surrealism, Outsider Art, Street Art, and Graffiti genres.   Bender Gallery has been collaborating with the Asheville Art Museum to loan four paintings from three of our artists. The artists are Laine Bachman, Kukula, and Yui Sakamoto. Be sure to check out this special exhibition in downtown Asheville. Learn More Kukula, Impossible Voyage, oil on board, 48 x 24 inches Kukula (b. 1980, Israel) Nataly Abramovitch, better known in the art world as, Kukula, paints imagined worlds filled with elaborately dressed women in fanciful settings. The artist does extensive research on the layouts of paintings from the Renaissance and Rococo periods. Kukula subverts these images by depicting women characters in place of traditionally male positions and settings. Her characters are powerful, commanding, and have an air of indifference. Available Work Yui Sakamoto, Self Portrait, oil on canvas, 63 x 63 inches Yui Sakamoto (b. 1981, Japan) Our surrealist artist, Yui Sakamoto, will have two paintings featured including My Soul and Self Portrait. Self Portrait is still available from his recent solo exhibition at Bender Gallery. Standing in front of Self Portrait, one is immersed in the dual-worlds of Sakamoto’s Japanese and Mexican cultures. There is a sense of calm reflected in the repeating rose pattern, mixed with the uneasy realization that the coral, fungi, and otherworldly forms are what makeup the figure. Available Work Laine Bachman, Night Bloomers, acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 inches Laine Bachman (b. 1974, USA) Our prolific Magical Realism artist, Laine Bachman, makes a feature in the exhibition with her painting, Night Bloomers. She has been hard at work making 17 new pieces for her solo exhibition at the Canton Art Museum in Canton, Ohio. The Canton show opens on April 28 and continues through to July 28, 2024. Available Work

When one thinks of the necessities of life, one element immediately comes to mind: water. When one thinks of modern abstraction, the dynamic realm of contemporary art where boundaries are blurred and creativity knows no limits, one name shines brightly: Patricia Hargrove.

The Asheville Gallery of Art proudly presents its June exhibit of Hargove’s series that depicts the powers of water to energize, refresh and heal the soul and body. This masterful exhibit runs June 1-30, with an opening reception on Friday, June 7 from 5-7:30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Buncombe County Public Library is thrilled to announce The Hop Ice Cream as a proud supporting partner of this year’s Summer Reading Program to encourage youth literacy in our community. The Hop will provide free ice cream at the Summer Library Fest on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m.-noon at East Asheville Library. For added fun, The Hop owner Greg Garrison will collaborate with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo to provide a special dance performance to families in attendance.

Any kid or teen who visits a Buncombe County library to pick up their summer reading activity sheet will also receive a 10 percent off coupon redeemable at any Hop location or at Pop Bubble Tea. Return your completed activity sheet to any branch and receive a bookmark for a free kiddie scoop of ice cream at any Hop location. You must complete 10 or more activities on your sheet to be eligible for ice cream – and you can also select a free book of your choice!

Summer Reading runs from June 1 to  August 31 and is open to anyone from birth to age 18.  If you have any questions, just contact your friendly neighborhood library.

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small-town life in Western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4-hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1 hour and 20 minute layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, a brewery, and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City. Please refer to the map below for a layout of Dillsboro.

Itinerary

Below is an outline of this train’s excursion. Please refer to this train’s schedule for exact departure times.

Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change with

Buncombe County will continue to offer ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables and Farm Fresh Produce Prescription.

Downtown on Fridays, discover a delightful assortment of quality handmade goods from skilled makers at Asheville’s weekly street party. The Pack Square Artisan Market is produced by Places For Makers, an Asheville, NC based non-profit organization.

Plan to collaborate with other musicians at Sideways Farm & Brewery in Etowah. Bring your instruments and voices and enjoy making music and networking with other artists, while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Food truck is on site and beverages available for purchase from Sideways (small
batch craft beers, hard jun, ciders, wine, and non alcoholic drinks). Family, fans, friends, and leashed dogs are all welcome!
During winter months enjoy playing under the covered, sheltered, heated porch! And during the summer months enjoy
collaborating in the fields, on the stage, or under the patio

JUNE 28 @ 4:30 and 7:30 PM – JUNE 29 @ 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 PM – JUNE 30 @ 3:00 and 6:00 PM – 2 KIDS ADMITTED FREE Per Adult! Get ready for a family adventure like no other as the Loomis Bros. Circus rolls into town in 2024. With a captivating blend of classic charm and modern thrills, this circus promises a mesmerizing experience for audiences of all ages. From their menagerie of exotic performing animals to the fearless daredevils, every act is crafted to create a collective sense of wonder and excitement. Bring the whole family and immerse yourselves in a world where the extraordinary becomes the norm, and the magic of the circus comes alive in ways that will leave you breathless. Loomis Bros. Circus is “Simply the Best”!

Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2472015-2?pid=10412

Category: Kids / Family

Prices:
Adult (With 2 Kids Free): USD 30.00,
Additional Child: USD 8.00

Artist / Speaker: Loomis Bros. Circus

The beats of the Friday Night Drum Circle have been rocking Pritchard Park for decades and the circle has become so popular that it is featured in magazines and TV commercials.

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Drum Circle

The Asheville Downtown Association is proud to facilitate the return of Asheville’s iconic Drum Circle. Feel the rhythm and join the beat as the community comes together for an evening of drumming, dancing, and camaraderie.

Every Friday night in June. Sit back, grab a cider, and relax every Friday night at BOLD Bonfires at Bold Rock
Mills River! Starting at 6pm.

Enjoy fire pits burning, S’mores kits available for purchase, live music from some of your favorite local
acts, & delicious cider available to kick your weekend off right!

Kids Camp is a free event for children who have completed kindergarten-completed 5th grade. Each evening, the kiddos will have a time in music, games, crafts, missions, and Bible. Dinner and snacks are provided with sign-up. Camp will take place on-campus Mon-Thurs with a pool party on Friday. Individual children must be registered to attend.

Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the Caribbean at LEAF Global’s monthly DJ Dance Party! Taking place on the final Friday of every month, this exciting event invites music lovers of all ages and backgrounds to come together for a night of pure entertainment and cultural celebration. Step into the vibrant atmosphere of LEAF Global, where every floor comes alive with infectious beats and irresistible energy. DJ Haviken Hayes’ dynamic mixes of Caribbean, dancehall, and global sounds will keep the dance floor buzzing all night long. For those looking to perfect their moves, professional salsa instructor Monika Guerra will be offering free salsa lessons starting at 8 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, Monika’s expert guidance will have you salsa-ing with confidence in no time. Embrace the spirit of the Caribbean with a themed ambiance that transports you to tropical shores. All are welcome to join in the festivities, so grab your friends and come dressed in your best Caribbean-inspired attire for a night to remember. Admission to the DJ Dance Party is $15 at the door, with drinks and snacks available to keep you fueled throughout the evening. Indulge in a selection of refreshing beverages including margaritas, mojitos, and more, provided by Flybird & Uno Mas.

Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, activist and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You)” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. Spearhead’s Follow Your Heart was released in June 2022 and debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Chart behind Harry Styles. Praised by American Songwriter as “an energizing batch of songs that spotlight the common threads that connect us,” Franti & Spearhead’s 13th studio album Big Big Love is available everywhere now, featuring 17 tracks cowritten by Franti, reflecting his tenacity, inclusiveness, and optimism.

Franti & Spearhead will embark on the Togetherness Tour in 2024, bringing their dynamic and invigorating shows to Soulrockers across North America, including a return to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. With 60+ dates through the summer, the Togetherness Tour will kick off on April 6th in Fort Lauderdale at Tortuga Festival.

The Bay-Area native resides in Bali when he is not on tour and owns Soulshine Bali, a 32-room top-rated boutique hotel located in Ubud, Bali that focuses on joy through wellness and music, offering unique retreat opportunities and accommodations, along with special events and celebrations. Franti continues to foster community both on and off stage with a wish granting non-profit, Do It For The Love, which brings those with life threatening illnesses, veterans, and children with severe challenges to concerts worldwide, fulfilling over 3,500 wishes and touching the lives of over 15,000 people to date.

MichaelFranti.com | Facebook.com/MichaelFranti | Instagram @MichaelFranti | TikTok @MichaelFranti | Twitter @MichaelFranti

Chart-topping country artist NIKO MOON is all about making people feel-good with his positive
vibes and tunes.

His first single “Good Time” went #1 on country radio and his other hits continue to climb the
charts as he releases more music. His upcoming album, Better Days, is set to release January
19th nationwide.

Beyond being a solo act, Moon, a SESAC country songwriter of the year, has written eight #1
songs and over 40 major record label cuts for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Avicii, Dierks
Bentley, Pitbull, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and more.
He is also the founder of the “Happy Cowboy Foundation”, a 501c3 nonprofit.

Bombargo is a Canadian based international touring band that drops a vibrant splash of soul over their distinctive ‘vintage-pop’ sound. Well known for bringing unrivaled energy to the stage with sing-along anthems, double-brother harmonies, and a powerful message that combined make for one of the most captivating live shows ever! Frontman Nathan Thoen’s passionate conviction and ‘Jagger-like’ dance moves even impressed billionaire and music industry icon Sir Richard Branson, quoting “I haven’t seen this type of energy since The Rolling Stones!” – and he would know, having personally signed The Rolling Stones to Virgin Records.

The band began with lead singer Nathan Thoen and guitarist Spencer Chilliak after the two spontaneously met and drove 16 hours to attend Sasquatch Music Festival where they became inspired to start a band. The duo wrote their first song ‘Let It Grow’ during their very first writing session and as part of Bombargo’s debut EP ‘Back on Main’ which would go on to be included in ‘The Top 10 Best Saskatchewan Albums of 2015’ by SaskMusic. This further inspired them to continue writing, touring, and release their first full-length album titled ‘We Are Bombargo’. The group has since evolved into a 7-piece touring band adding Nathan’s brother Anthony Thoen on guitar, additional brothers Matt and Sammy Folkersen on keys and bass respectively, Connor Newton on saxophone, and Niall Cubbon on drums.

Bombargo went on to receive massive acclaim when pop star icon Taylor Swift added their 2018 single ‘Mr. No Good’ to her Spotify Playlist titled ‘Songs Taylor Loves’ alongside mega artists including Ed Sheeran, Camilla Cabello, and Kendrick Lamar. As the only unsigned band on this star-studded playlist, Bombargo was featured on CBC’s the Q, NME, Exclaim, Fashion, Noisey, People, and Billboard. This success was followed up by the release of their single ‘Oxygen’, which pushed Bombargo into the Canadian Hot AC Top 40 Charts for the first time in the fall of 2019. The band also made its US touring debut in late 2019 with their 33 date ‘North American Dream Tour’ which kicked off with Bombargo playing the sold-out Roughriders Labour Day Classic Half-Time Show to over 33,000 people. The band’s US debut at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, CA gained heavy press coverage including a raving article in Billboard Magazine.

Bombargo performed on the 2020 Okeechobee Festival Main Stage in Florida, with over 40,000 in attendance and joined the Okeechobee PoWow Super Jam to close the festival. In August of 2020 the band landed a ‘most excellent’ cameo in the hollywood blockbuster “Bill & Ted 3: Face The Music”. Bombargo’s most recent album ‘nebula.’ reached its Kickstarter fundraising goal in under 7 hours and released in June of 2022. The band returned to America in the Fall of 2022 to complete their 27 date “Goodtime Guarantee” headlining tour, including a main stage performance at ShredFest in Salt Lake City, and numerous sold out shows across the country. Bombargo has garnered over 10 Million DSP streams to date, and has received over 1 Million views on YouTube. There’s no doubt Bombargo will continue spreading “The Goodtime Guarantee™” for years to come and look forward to what the future brings!

June 28 and July 26,

6-9pm .:. Free .:. Ages 12-18

Feel the club vibes at pool parties for local teens featuring food, music, and fun surprises.

On Friday, June 28 at 6:30PM, Decoda Faculty joins forces with the 2024 Festival Artists for a
unique side-by-side, outdoor performance of Arboretum, a recent work by Decoda’s own Brad
Balliett. Comprised of instrumental solos layered intricately by the composer, each solo in Arboretum
is inspired by a different kind of tree. Balliett says about the work:
“I’ve always been really into nature since I was a little kid, and my professional path has diverged
away from it,” composer Brad Balliett says. “And recently, I’ve been trying to get back to it and find all
the ways that I can combine these two passions—can I bring some of my love of nature into my life
as a bassoonist and as a composer?”

Join the Pacolet Junior Appalachian Musicians (PacJAM) for an evening of Live Music, Dance, Food, and Fun! Invited musicians will kick of the celebration with live performances in downtown Tryon, and we will take the party back to the Tryon Fine Arts Center for Open JAM and Sing, and we’ll light up the Amphitheater with square dancing and our famous Cake Walk.

Open JAM & Sing

Bring your voice or instrument for an easy jam with Gaye Johnson, Phil Jenkins, & Will Trakas

-TFAC Amphitheater

FREE

Events at the TFAC run from 6:30 – 8:00

Square Dance & Cake Walk

Pete LaBerge to call dances for the whole family. Live music from Bob & Amy Buckingham -TFAC Pavilion

Drinks & Name-Your-Price Hot Dogs Fresh Off the Grill

Every Friday Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have Juan Nicolón from NYC!!

Juan Nicolón is a Stand Up Comedian, Writer and a world famous lover of soup. His comedy has been described as: “Larry David meets Sofia Vergara” – something Juan takes as a very big compliment. He is the winner of The Riot Comedy Festival in Houston, Texas and The Comedy Mob Festival in New York City. He was an on Screen Talent for Univision’s FLAMA, where he created content for millions of latinos living in the United States. His work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times and Time Out New York. You might have seen him recently going viral on Tik Tok with his PowerPoints about soup.

Featuring Tom Luciano

ages 18+
Doors at 6:30, show at 7pm

Sat Chit Ananda is a Sanskrit term used in Indian philosophy and spirituality that offers a profound framework for holistic well-being, inner fulfillment, mindfulness, spiritual growth, and harmony with the world around us. It guides individuals towards a life of balance, consciousness, and lasting happiness, which are valuable goals for personal growth and fulfillment.

During this extraordinary webinar, Vasant Lad will seamlessly guide you on a mystical journey, transcending the boundaries of the physical world to the ethereal realm of the metaphysical. Drawing from his lifetime of spiritual practice, he will unveil the art of perceiving the universe through the film of divinity.

Vasant Lad will teach you how to navigate both planes, revealing hidden connections and unveiling the sacred in the ordinary as he gracefully weaves between these dimensions. Gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings and experience a profound shift in your perception and prepare to witness the world in a new light, where every moment holds the potential for divine revelation.

Peruvian pop-up with Chef Chuck Gutierrez at the Smokin’ Onion in West Asheville’s pocket shopping center shared with Botiwalla, Bad Manners Coffee and rEvolve Buy+Sell+Trade.
Join us for authentic vegan Peruvian food, music and drinks! Friday, June 28th 7-9pm

RANGER is a true tale of war seen through the lens of a Special Operations soldier, Sgt. David Waterhouse, in Iraq and Afghanistan. This first-hand account documents the brutality of combat and the raw nature of killing and death. It’s a journey of innocence lost, and the scars of war etched into the minds of service members. An untold account everyone should hear.

The Ranger Creed states that, “I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than other soldier.”

After the release of RANGER, Further Faster Harder Foundation was created to give veterans a platform to tell their stories and find their purpose and voice again through documentaries, books, art, podcasts, and many other avenues.

Friday, June 28^th marks the 19-year anniversary of the largest loss of Special Operations life since the Vietnam War. This event honors the memories of the 19 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

We want to welcome everyone to join us in our First Charity Screening and Silent Auction to help give Voices to Vets.

A unique, and fun experience in Spartanburg!

Come join us and our selection of talented Comedians and Judges for an evening of guaranteed laughs!

Reggie Black, our comedic host, and the 1800 Drayton team will be providing a unique and fun experience right here in Spartanburg. You will be a part of the show so come on down and vote for your favorite act!

Doors Open at 7 Show starts at 7:30! Please arrive early to make your food and drink orders!

Catch Asheville native Julia VanderVeen’s hilarious and poignant one woman show, My Grandmother’s Eyepatch, before she takes it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month!

My Grandmother’s Eyepatch celebrates the human experience. All ticket sales will finance Julia’s trip across the pond – so one ticket means a night of entertainment for you and for countless Fringe Festival goers!

The physical comedy of My Grandmother’s Eyepatch will explore the wild stages of grief and attempt to honor Julia’s beloved grandmother who died two decades ago.

Frigid Fringe NYC’s ‘Best solo clown’ winner Julia VanderVeen says: “My grandmother always wanted to be a poet, and she was a poet very late in her life, but I always wondered if she really wanted to raise children or if she did it because it was expected.

“I especially feel connected to my grandmother right now, because I’m an artist in my late 30s, and I’m actively in the process of deciding whether I want to be a mother or not.

“How many female voices have not been heard because they were tired out from the immediate tasks of child-rearing?”

This performance of My Grandmother’s Eyepatch is ONE NIGHT ONLY at NC Stage — Don’t wait to get tickets to this evening of mirth, merriment, and joyful remembrance!