Debunk some common misconceptions about native snakes you could meet at home or in the schoolyard. Meet one of our ambassador animals and explore outside, looking for evidence of snakes in the wild. Access to The North Carolina Arboretum is free for event participants and family members. Event spaces are limited and pre-registration is required. Each registered ecoEXPLORER will receive 5 points for attending. Questions? Reach out to [email protected]!

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

WATCH & DESTROY YOUR IMPORTANT PAPERS; PLANT SALE; BROOM SALE

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.

Explore Biltmore House with an Audio Guide that introduces you to the Vanderbilt family and their magnificent home’s history, architecture, and collections of fine art and furnishings.

PLUS: Immersive, multi-sensory Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition created by Grande Experiences

PLUS: FREE next-day access to Biltmore’s Gardens and Grounds

This visit includes access to:

• Italian Renaissance Alive at Amherst at Deerpark®
• 8,000 Acres of Gardens and Grounds for two consecutive days
• Antler Hill Village & Winery
• Complimentary Wine Tastings at the Winery
• Tastings require a Day-of-Visit Reservation, which can be made by:
  • Scanning the QR Code found in your Estate Guide
  • Visiting any Guest Services location
• Complimentary parking

Art Exhibition: Italian Renaissance Alive

This fascinating experience takes you on a spellbinding tour of Italy, fully immersing you in the beauty and brilliance of iconic masterworks from the greatest artistic period in history

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)

18 Years of Dedication to the Arts in Saluda

The Saluda Downtown Foundation is proud to celebrate Saluda’s heritage and art culture at the 18th annual Saluda Arts Festival scheduled for May 20, 2023, in historic downtown Main Street in Saluda. Stretching along historic and charming Main Street, every art medium is represented in this popular annual event including paintings, pottery, metalwork, jewelry, sculptures, fiber, and more.

List of Vendors

Presenters: Judy Deutsche, Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteer and Certified Consulting Rosarian

Roses are a fragrant, beautiful, long-blooming addition to a sunny garden.  Modern roses have greatly improved disease resistance and come in all sizes and colors.    This program will cover the basics of rose selection and care so you can successfully grow these beautiful flowers.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately as part of this presentation will be held outside, weather permitting.

Registration:  The talk is free, but attendance is limited and registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522

Policies in effect at our Market:

• Walk-in service with vendors with proper distancing.
Once in the market, please distance from other customers while in line. Only one customer at a booth at one time.

The market will continue the following practices:
• Hand sanitizer will be available for shoppers and vendors throughout the market;
• A hand washing station is available;
• All vendor tents will be spaced to allow for physical distancing;
• Vendors will wear gloves and/or sanitize regularly when will handle open food products for customers;
• Vendors may sample their product but we ask that customers let the vendor provide a single sample and then step to the side, away from others, to try that product;
• No member of Market staff or Market vendors will be allowed to attend the Market if they are experiencing illness;
• If you have any questions or need the Market’s assistance in any way, please email us at  [email protected] and we will help any way we can.

We take the health and wellness of our community very seriously. Fresh local food is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and we want our community to have consistent and safe access to our local produce and products.

Thank you all for your cooperation and for your support of our Market.

You may come a skeptic, but you’ll leave a believer after attending the WNC Bigfoot Festival. Educational panels, a Bigfoot Calling Contest and other family-friendly activities make this the southeast’s premier Bigfoot event.

Whether you’re a foodie interested in trying Bigfoot-themed dishes or you have a desire to see art inspired by Sasquatch and created by regional artist, there’s something for everyone at the 2023 WNC Bigfoot Festival.

Click Here to See Saturday’s Bigfoot Festival Satellite Parking Locations

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.

Join us in Azalea Park at NOC Roswell for Family River Day!

Address:
203 Azalea Dr
Roswell, GA 30075

Hosted by our partners Color My Outdoors and Together Outdoors, Family River Day invites BIPOC and families from all backgrounds to enjoy the outdoors, meet local organizations, try a new activity, and learn about river safety and protection.

Event Schedule & Activities:

• 11am River craft rentals: Try out a stand-up paddleboard, canoe, sit on top kayak on land or on water! NOC Guides will show you techniques and teach you about river paddling.
• 11am Lawn Games, Community Partners, Raffles, and More!
• 12pm Live Music by BEMI
• 12pm Food Truck opens
• 1pm Stand Up Paddleboard Guided Tour with ACA Certified Instructor & Together Outdoors Coalition Lead Gerry Seavo James
• 2pm Sit on Top Kayak Guided Tour with ACA Certified Instructor & Together Outdoors lead Gerry Seavo James

Meet and chat with community groups like Visit Roswell, Bike Roswell, Chattahoochee River Keeper, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Paddle for Tomorrow, Together Outdoors, and Color My Outdoors. The National Parks Service will even be stopping in by boat!

Special thanks to our vendors and sponsors!

Asheville Gallery of Art’s May show, “Flower Power,” introduces three new Gallery members: Nick Colquitt, Jean-Pierre Dubreuil, and Yvonne McCabe. This delightful exhibition takes its audience on a journey through the mountains of North Carolina, showcasing the mysterious beauty they display within their natural terrain. The show runs May 1-31 during Gallery hours, 11am-6pm daily.

Kids’ Comedy Tour: Wildly funny, this educational and entertaining tour features the perfect blend of Asheville’s history and kid-centric comedy. Geared specifically toward the 5–12 year old crowd, you’ll explore the town with our famously outlandish tour guides leading the way.

• Perfect for birthday parties
• Makes for memorable school field trips
• Tickets are $27 per person
• Beverages available for purchase at the LaZoom Room
• Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue

Art on 7th will present its May 2023 Exhibition titled “The Mystic River of Dreams.” The show runs May 18 through May 28 and will kick off with a wine and cheese reception on May 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Many of the gallery artists will present work interpreting the exhibition theme, which promises a variety of imagery from the creative minds of contemporary abstract artists. Participating artists include Laurie Adams, Amy Casteel, Stephen Hackley, Courtney Hoelscher, Barbara Jones, Michelle Marra, Robin Pedrero, Christopher Peterson and Julie Wilmot. Paintings, sculptures, and copper are on the list of works planned for the exhibition.

According to gallery owner Julie Wilmot, “These pieces of art won’t be river scenes typically represented in WNC galleries. As a contemporary art gallery, it’s fun to take what might be a classic theme and give it a contemporary twist. Art on 7th has a number of landscapes, waterfalls, and mountain scenes on our walls, but none of it is representational artwork.” Identifying the gallery’s audience Wilmot says, “Art on 7th sells contemporary art that is in harmony with our clients’ mountain lifestyles. And there are plenty of people in the area who love the nature and mountains of WNC but aren’t necessarily intent on carrying a literal design and décor representation, as such, into their homes.”

Paul Wong, Carbon, silver and gold, 2016, pigmented linen and cotton pulp, publisher: Dieu Donné, New York, edition 3/25, 18 × 11 inches. Gift of Dieu Donné, New York, 2022.27.06. © Paul Wong.

On View March 8 through July 24, 2023
The Van Winkle Law Firm Gallery • Level 1

Paper is an essential part of the art-making process for many artists, serving as the base for drawing, painting, printmaking, and other forms of art. As a substrate, paper can vary in weight, absorbency, color, size, and other aspects. Since industrialization, paper has primarily been produced through mechanical means that allow for consistency and affordability.

What happens, then, when an artist chooses to return to the foundations of paper, wherein it is made by hand using pulps, fibers, and dyes that reflect the human element through variations, inconsistencies, flaws, and surprises? Certain artists have sought out these qualities and embraced them, making paper not just a support on which to work, but fully a medium in and of itself.

Pulp Potential: Works in Handmade Paper is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and curated by Hilary Schroeder, former assistant curator, with assistance from Alexis Meldrum, curatorial assistant. Special thanks to Dieu Donné, New York, NY.

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

• Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.

• Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
  *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
  *You can purchase a pass online at America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
• 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
• Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
• Tours are limited to 6 persons.
• Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

  Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
  *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.
  (credit card only)
  $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
  $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
  Free for Children age 15 and under

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

• An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
• A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
• Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

In the past 50 years in the United States and beyond, artists have sought to break down social and political hierarchies that include issues of identity, gender, power, race, authority, and authenticity. Unsurprisingly, these decades generated a reconsideration of the idea of pattern and decoration as a third option to figuration and abstraction in art. From 1972 to 1985, artists in the Pattern and Decoration movement worked to expand the visual vocabulary of contemporary art to include ethnically and culturally diverse options that eradicated the barriers between fine art and craft and questioned the dominant minimalist aesthetic. These artists did so by incorporating opulence and bold intricacies garnered from such wide-ranging inspirations as United States quilt-making and Islamic architecture. Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration features more than 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. Artworks from the 21st century elucidate contemporary perspectives on the employment of pattern to inform visual vocabularies and investigations of diverse themes in the present day. Artworks drawn from the Asheville Art Museum’s Collection join select major loans and feature Pattern and Decoration artists Valerie Jaudon, Joyce Kozloff, Robert Kushner, and Miriam Schapiro, as well as Anni Albers, Elizabeth Alexander, Sanford Biggers, Tawny Chatmon, Margaret Curtis, Mary Engel, Cathy Fussell, Samantha Hennekke, John Himmelfarb, Anne Lemanski, Rashaad Newsome, Peter Olson, Don Reitz, Sarah Sense, Billie Ruth Sudduth, Mickalene Thomas, Shoku Teruyama, Anna Valdez, Kehinde Wiley, and more. This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and guest curated by Marilyn Laufer & Tom Butler.

Join Atelier Maison & Co. and Show & Tell Pop Up Shop for the monthly Makers Market in the Asheville Design District this Saturday, May 20!
The Makers Market is a monthly market of art & design, featuring vendors and artisans selling housewares, vintage clothing, original art, handmade crafts, fair trade imports, and more – happening on the third Saturday of each month at Atelier Maison & Co.
Shop from local artisans and check out Asheville arts and crafts. Each month, inside and outside the showroom of Atelier Maison & Co. you’ll find a wide variety of different artists and makers at these craft markets. We host vendors displaying everything from textiles to woodwork, fresh farmed flowers, or hand-blown glass.
From noon-5 on the third Saturday of the month, each market has dozens of vendors and hundreds of shoppers throughout the spacious grounds. The markets have a welcoming feel, often with a food truck, craft workshops, or complimentary beverages and treats for the whole family.
With roots in the Asheville Design District, Atelier Maison & Co. is the area’s home furnishings destination offering healthy, design-forward furniture, accessories, and their own exclusive line of green, envy-worthy pieces. They believe living green is not only better for the environment but essential in building a happier, healthier home.

• Race against other duos to determine the ultimate Asheville puzzle masters at Harvest House Community Center’s Team Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. Free to watch, $15 to participate (advance registration required).

Stephens-Lee has BINGO!! Small prize will be awarded to the winner of each game. Remember what happens at Bingo, stays at Bingo!!
Saturday, May 20
1:00-2:30pm
Adults
FREE

Have you ever needed to sew a button, or quickly fix a hem moments before going on stage, or during a performance? Do you ever find yourself wandering through local thrift shops thinking, “this would be the perfect shirt for a show costume,” but when it comes time to put the costume together you’re not so sure it’s the perfect shirt? Or maybe you’ve needed to take a costume from drab to fab (or vice versa) but you weren’t quite sure how to get there. Instructor Ashleigh Goff will lead participants through some costume assembly and repair basics, and discuss design practices that she has used to costume shows in the past. She’ll share costuming techniques, and each student will walk away having practiced some skills they can put to use.

About the instructor: Ashleigh has been doing theater in one way, shape or form for over 20+ years. She’s acted, designed, crewed, stage managed, directed, and taught. Most recently at The Magnetic, she costumed and acted in Caroling by Gaslight, costumed HappyLand, and is directing the April production of Fish.

Join a certified forest therapy guide for a relaxing 2.5-hour stroll through the forest on the peaceful Arboretum grounds. Through a series of invitations, you’ll have the opportunity to be present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. Your guide will share mindfulness practices designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes, as well as the world around you. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, a forest bathing walk invites you to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for ourselves, our fraught ecosystems, and our community. It is true nature therapy!

• Special, discounted rate of $45/person (includes parking!)
• Occurs on select dates each month
• Max group size is 15 for a more intimate experience

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.

Do you have an overactive Spider Plant? Is your Aloe Plant giving you the stink eye? Maybe it’s time to mix things up! Bring any & all unwanted houseplants to the Weaverville Library in May and swap them out for something new.  Houseplant Exchange is available and self serve during all open hours.