Our community workshops are back! Join the YWCA in a 3-Part Racial Justice Training that explores anti-Black racism, overlapping systems of oppression, and racial equity in Asheville and Buncombe County. The training will take place over 3 sessions, each lasting one hour and fifteen minutes. Please sign up for all three when you register. Register here for the session beginning on August 17th or contact us by email to schedule a Racial Justice Workshop specifically for your organization.

Workshop Goals

• Become familiar with some of the shared language and concepts related to racial justice
• Develop an understanding of how racism shows up in each of our lives
• Become familiar with the YWCA’s racial justice framework
• Explore the history of racial (in)justice in the United States and beyond

• YWCA Asheville first developed our Racial Justice Workshop for the staff of the YW to build a better understanding of our mission-based work.

  YWCA’s Racial Justice Workshop is now offered to anyone in our community looking to grow their understanding of racism and racial justice.

   

  – Aug 17, 2021 09 AM
  – Aug 24, 2021 09 AM
  – Aug 31, 2021 09 AM

Included with admission

Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.

In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

Included with admission

A unique-to-Biltmore, large-scale outdoor sculpture will be crafted and installed in Antler Hill Village this spring by Patrick Dougherty. Over the last three decades, this internationally-acclaimed artist has combined his carpentry skills and love of nature to build over 300 of these wondrous works, captivating the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.

Image: Close Ties (2006) Scottish Basketmakers Circle, Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Fin Macrae
NOTE: This is an example of Patrick Dougherty’s work; the artist will create Biltmore’s unique structure in Antler Hill Village this spring.

Summer at Biltmore offers an abundance of opportunities to explore our 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard and create the kind of memories that last a lifetime. Wander through historic gardens, along winding trails, and within the spacious halls of America’s Largest Home^®. Enjoy extraordinary experiences and peace of mind in one spectacular setting: only at Biltmore.

Bender Gallery is honored to present One Day I Will Disappear, a solo exhibition of current paintings by Czech American artist Tom Pazderka. His captivating work is deeply personal and is an elegant metaphor for life’s darker side: of landscape, of nature, of memory. The exhibition runs from July 3 through August 31 during regular business hours. There will be an opening reception for Pazderka on Saturday July 3, from 6 to 9 PM by RSVP only.

Pazderka is a painter, an installation artist, an intellectual, and a writer who spent his undergraduate years in the Asheville area. He was born near Prague in 1981 during the waning of the Communist era in Czechoslovakia. He lived in a panelák, a Soviet-style concrete apartment block, until emigrating to the US in 1994 at the age of twelve. Contrary to what we may envision in America, Pazderka has fond memories of his time there. Although life was basic and creativity was not encouraged, his family was never in need and they enjoyed regular visits to their family cottage in the country. However, most of Pazderka’s life has been lived in the US and he also considers himself American. His work and life are deeply influenced by what he describes as the “incompleteness of the immigrant experience”. Pazderka explores humanity’s quest for a universal truth. The work reflects his reverence for history and the failed Soviet promise of utopia of his native land. It is thus a balancing act between this history and his assimilation into the capitalist consumer culture of the United States.

The works shown in One Day I Will Disappear consist of oil, ash, and charcoal paintings on burned panel and paper. They feature clouds, mountains, portraits, ephemera, and remnants of nature. They are conceptually dark, yet haunting and beautiful at the same time. Pazderka uses humble materials such as found plywood panels that he burns with a torch before beginning the painting process. He transforms the painting surface with the destructive, yet creative power of fire. He states, “Materials and process are components of the work that are as important as the image and what the work is about”.

Pazderka chooses to work in a colorless palette reminiscent of aged black and white photographs. He explains, “Photographs interest me because it is a tangible memory, but photographs are really residue of the photographic process.”  They are themselves a memory of a memory. Much of Pazderka’s work is based on old family photographs and photos taken from nature and architecture relaying the past, the present, and the hope of a better future. The work appears otherworldly and fleeting, like ghosts of his memories. In Pazderka’s words, “The present is all there is in the end.”

Pazderka holds a BFA from Western Carolina University and an MFA from U.C. Santa Barbara. He has received many awards and fellowships and has held residencies in the US, France, and the Czech Republic. He lives and works in Ojai, CA.

The Southern Appalachians are home to dozens of shrubs and woody vines, many of which are often overlooked and unknown by the average person. This online class helps students gain the skills to identify many of these plants and learn about their importance to the ecology of mountain forests. Registration includes a copy of the field guide Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge by Ron Lance.

Carlton Burke is a naturalist and educator who operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers wildlife and nature educational programs throughout western North Carolina. He also was on the staff of the western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville for over 25 years as the Curator of Exhibits. Carlton co-hosts a weekly radio program NATURE NEWS and is also a NC state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

*Instructions for joining via Zoom will be included in a reminder email sent to registrants by the day prior to the event. Please add [email protected] to your contacts to ensure our emails do not end up in your spam folder. A recording of the class will be made available to registered participants for a limited period following the session for review and to provide access to those with scheduling conflicts.

***Upon registration, participants will be asked to identify if they are seeking certificate credit through Arboretum certificate of merit programs or NC Environmental Education. Responses will prompt further communication regarding requirements and reporting for credit.

Arboretum Members: Please sign in above in the top right-hand corner before adding classes to your shopping cart. Your member discount will be applied on the checkout page. Click here for membership discount instructions. To become an Arboretum Member and receive discounts on all classes, go to our Membership page.

Help local underprivileged students start the school year with the supplies they need for success! Asheville Outlets will host a Pack 2 School Supplies Drive from Saturday, July 10 through Saturday, August 7, 2021. Throughout the five-week drive, marked bins will be available in the food court for donation drop-off. Student supply needs include: #2 pencils, erasers, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, school scissors, folders, spiral notebooks, marbled composition notebooks, dry ease markers (pencil & regular size) and pencil pouches. Classroom needs include white & color copy paper, Band-Aids, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, Ziploc bags, disinfectant wipes, and hand soap. School children at four local elementary schools will be the recipients of supplies collected during the program. The campaign will conclude on Saturday, August 7 with a live remote broadcast with iHeart Radio and gift card giveaways. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

The UNC Asheville athletics department is continuing its “Noontime with the Bulldogs” webinar series sponsored by Mako Medical, with soccer taking front and center stage on the July 20 edition. The webinar, which is hosted by Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone, will feature UNC Asheville head coaches Mick Giordano (Men’s Soccer) and Andy McNab (Women’s Soccer) as well as Asheville City SC’s Stacey Enos (Women’s Soccer Coach) and Ryan Kelley (President).

Enos, who is the Director of Operations, has seen Asheville City SC go 7-1 in Carolinas Conference play this season. Enos has a decorated playing career herself, garnering All-American recognition while helping the North Carolina Tar Heels capture three national championship titles in the 1980s. Following her collegiate career, Enos would go on to make 10 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team. After coaching professionally (Seattle) and collegiately (Utah State), Enos returned to the Carolinas, serving as Athletic Director and Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Warren Wilson. Enos, who was the inaugural head coach of the Asheville SC Women’s Club in 2018, serves on the Buncombe County Sports Commission.

Kelley, meanwhile, was instrumental in the founding of Asheville City SC. The men’s side joined the NPSL in 2017, while the women’s side joined the WPSL in 2018 for their inaugural seasons. In October of 2019, the men’s side announced it would join USL League Two. Kelley continues to serve as Asheville SC President, which has called UNC Asheville’s Greenwood Field home this summer.

A familiar face in Asheville, Giordano is not only the UNC Asheville Men’s Soccer Head Coach, but also the Asheville City SC Men’s Soccer Head Coach. A 2013 UNC Asheville Alum, Giordano played professionally in Germany before beginning his coaching career on the Bulldogs staff in 2015. Giordano would then go onto Wake Forest in 2016, where he helped guide the Demon Deacons to an ACC Tournament title and NCAA Championship appearance. In 2017, Giordano was the Associate Head Coach at Wofford College before returning to Asheville in 2018, serving as the Head Coach and Sporting Director for Asheville City SC while working as an assistant for the Bulldogs. Giordano, who was the interim head coach this past season, became the sixth head coach in the Division I era for Asheville on June 4.

McNab is the newest face to Asheville, being hired as the head coach of the women’s soccer team on March 18 after two years at Barton College. At Barton, McNab guided the Bulldogs to a 16-8-2 record, going 4-4-1 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Prior to his time at Barton, McNab spent six years at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, serving as the head coach from 2015-18, serving on the United Soccer Coaches Atlantic Regional Committee during that time. A native of Glasgow, Scotland, McNab was a four-year letter-winner at Salem International before beginning his coaching career in 2009.

You can register for this webinar by providing your name and email address to Donna Peek at 828-232-5655 or [email protected].

Join Zoom Meeting

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Passcode: 617559
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Hit the trails and learn more about the Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! In response to COVID-19, new safety measures have been put in place to protect our guests, members, volunteers and staff: Walks will be limited to 10 people, including the guide, and all participants will be required to wear face coverings for the duration of the walk.

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, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks depart from the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby every Tuesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. through the month of October. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours and are approximately one to two miles in length, and as such are recommended for guests 14 years or older. Walks are held rain or shine, so all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

Register In Advance

Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.

Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:

• Pre-register online
• Sign up in-person at the Baker Information Desk.

RESTRICTIONS:  PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG OR PET!

Henderson County, N.C. (July 19, 2021) — On Tuesday, July 20, you can enjoy the limited opportunity to see the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office K-9s train for the various types of specialized duties they are asked to perform. From narcotics searches to agility training and aggressive pursuit, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see these incredible K-9 athletes and their handlers in action.

There are no seats or chairs for observers. The event is similar to an outdoor lawn concert, so please bring your own lawn or beach chair as well as hats, sunscreen and sunglasses for your safety and comfort in the warm July weather.

There is no charge to attend the event. It’s STAND T.AL.L.’s way of saying thank you to their donors, particularly those who have supported their K-9 fundraising projects.

PARKING: The K-9 Agility Park is located behind the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and jail. You can park along 1st Ave. East of Grove Street or anywhere you can find a place between 1st & 2nd Avenues near the Sheriff’s office. The entrance to the Agility Park is on 1st Avenue, about 50 yards east of Grove Street. There is a gated fence that will be manned and open.

This meeting will feature 2 guest speakers: 1. A representative from the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing educating us about mobile apps and a loan service that benefit people with hearing loss; and 2. A chapter member who attended the National Convention in June who will share highlights of topics and lessons learned.

Maggot Tuesday Workout

Taught in person on the Mainstage Why should the kids have all the fun this summer? In this new class – for adults! – instructor Tom Chalmers covers the spirit and techniques involved in creating and performing physical comedy. This course will teach many of the tools used to build a bold physical comedy bit, such as trips, stumbles, falls, takes, doubletakes, slow burns, and more. You’ll learn how to do these stunts sharply and safely! Plus, the class will finish with a limited friends-and-family performance!

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OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

• This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
• In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
• We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.

Join us every Tuesday night for Tacos & Trivia!

Twisted Roots will be cooking up a variety of tacos and authentic sides (vegetarian options available) starting at 5 pm.

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for good food, a good time, and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Sidney Outlaw, baritone
Warren Jones, piano

Program TBD

Please note: Auditorium seating is reserved.  Lawn seating is general admission.