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Stay Informed. Sign Up for Buncombe Alerts with CodeRED
Feb 25 all-day
online
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s to be ready…
Sign up for BC Alerts, and you’ll get emergency information sent directly to you in real time.
Buncombe County residents have a new, customizable solution for receiving notification and emergency alerts. Buncombe County Government is in the initial phase of migrating to the CodeRED community notification system to send important alerts and time-sensitive messages to staff members and residents. Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert (not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit buncombecounty.org/codered to sign up for the new system.
Student Poetry Contest – “Ambition”
Feb 25 all-day
online
January through April
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
NPS Photo
Educators in grades 3-12 are invited to submit original poems written by their students in February. The poems will be judged and winners announced in April. Find the 2022 Poetry Contest Information and submission guidelines here. The theme “Ambition” is from one of Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, to celebrate it’s 100th year of being published. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.”
Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry, and is open to students nationwide!
Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be postmarked by March 1, 2022. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 8, 2022, and will be invited to participate in a special virtual program on April 22.
2022 Contest Rules
Theme – “Ambition”
Carl Sandburg wrote millions of words reflecting on the American experience of the 20th century. Though his words often focused on war, labor, and social injustice, as a father of three, he also wrote imaginative, zany, and fantastical children’s stories, called “Rootabaga Stories.” Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” were first published in 1922 and celebrate 100 years of entertaining readers of all ages this year. The theme “Ambition” is from one of these stories. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.” Read the story here.
Poems submitted for the 2022 contest should reflect the theme of “Ambition.” By definition, a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Or setting goals to achieve success.
Submission Rules
Poetry accepted from 3-12th grades only. Poems will be grouped for judging by 3-5th, 6-8th, and 9-12th.
Poems must be submitted by a teacher (traditional classroom or homeschool teacher).
No more than three poems per class. Teachers with multiple classes, can submit up to three poems per class period.
Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme.
Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. No illustrations.
Poems must be typed, no handwritten entries, using standard computer fonts, like Times, Arial, etc…
Do not place any identifying information (name, school, grade, etc…) on poem sheet, that will go on the accompanying submission form.
Submissions must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed to [email protected], by March 1, 2022. Emailed submissions must be docs, .pdfs or scans. Low resolution pictures of the submission will not be accepted.
Judging
Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category (3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th).
Poetry Partners
The 2022 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support including the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, and literary volunteers who serve as judges. Thank you.
Send Submissions to:
Carl Sandburg Home NHS
Attn: Poetry Contest
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731
Fax 828-693-4179
Email: [email protected]
The 13th Annual Student Food Drive
Feb 25 all-day
online
#MANNAStudentChallenge2022
The past few years, we have been unable to host our annual student food drive due to the pandemic. This year, however, the student food drive and the competition between schools to see who can collect the most food returns!
Throughout the entire month of March, schools will be hosting food drives and competing between each other to see who can donate the most pounds of food to MANNA or their local partner agency. Students can also earn points that will be added to their total score by making financial donations, volunteering at their local partner agency, participating in hunger and nutrition education opportunities and joining us in our #MANNAStudentChallenge2022 TikTok campaign.
To earn points for their school through the #MANNAStudentChallenge2022, students can create TikTok videos that either feature them eating a fruit or vegetable they have never tried before or highlight a recipe that they believe is unique to their family.
At the end of the campaign, we will announce winners for each of our categories: high school, middle school, elementary school, college or university, most improved, rookie of the year and most creative.
If you are interested in having your school participate in MANNA’s Annual Student Food Drive, contact Jake Deuterman.
The Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund: Local Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply for Grants
Feb 25 all-day
online
Local Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply for Grants
The Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), is currently accepting applications for its spring grant cycle from nonprofits serving the Swannanoa Valley. The grants will range in size from $2,500 – $10,000, and will focus on projects and programs relating to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources, and human services. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on March 1, 2022.
The ‘Queen’ Boys are back with The Music of Tom Petty. You filled the houses in 2019 for their Eagles/Beatles concert, 2020’s The Music of Queen, and their 2021 SOLD OUT outdoor Stadium Concert. Now they’re back to bring you the iconic music of Tom Petty. “American Girl,” “Free Fallin,” “Breakdown,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” and so many more will fill the Leiman Mainstage! Join us for a rockin’ night with these enduring tunes and the incredible artists that will have you swooning and hungry for more!
Dates: Feb. 24-March 5
Tickets: Starting at $40
Location: 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC 28731
The Music of Tom Petty runs from Thursday, Feb. 24 – Saturday, March 5 at Flat Rock Playhouse’s Leiman Mainstage. Tickets range from $40 to $60. Student prices are available for ages 18 and under. For more ticket information, call the Flat Rock Playhouse Box Office at 828.693.0731 or purchase online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org
Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC, 28731.
His masterworks have been displayed around the world for over a century… but never like this. Described as “an unforgettable multi-sensory experience,” Van Gogh Alive is a powerful and vibrant symphony of light, color, sound, and scent that compels you to leave the world behind and immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s paintings. Simultaneously enchanting, entertaining, and educational, Van Gogh Alive stimulates all the senses and opens the mind.
Movement + Mobility Workout
Feb 25 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am
Carrier Park
Join the tribe for some movement and mobility work. Trainer Preston will give you a good workout and then open up your muscles.
Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Family for a 30 minute MIX workout & 30 min Mobility. You will get amazing personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready for a full body workout for all fitness levels, so you can go at your own pace. No matter where you are currently at with your fitness level Trainer Preston will make sure you get a wonderful workout. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.
Red Cross Buncombe County – Blood Drive Volunteer
Feb 25 @ 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
The American Red Cross
Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?
Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on theBuncombe County readiness siteon how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Activities of the American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter include: Blood Services, Training Services, Disaster Services, and Home Fire Campaign.
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Help support lives in North Carolina by signing up to become a Blood Drive Volunteer today.
Time Commitment:
Blood drives occur M-F and volunteers are expected to attend one blood drive a month to remain an active volunteer. This position is flexible as volunteers can sign up for shifts that work for their schedule and instructions for shift selection will be sent after responding to the opportunity.
Volunteer Roles:
Warmly greet donors and assist with registration in reception area.
Assist with initial intake and hand off through blood donation process.
Ensure donors have relevant information and all questions are answered appropriately.
Maintain proper sanitizing and cleanliness of reception and hospitality areas.
Attend canteen area in support of donors.
Thank donors for their contribution.
Alert staff immediately if a donor shows signs of feeling unwell.
Inform donors of current and upcoming donation promotions.
Make reminder/cancellation calls.
Reschedule donor appointments.
Perform follow-up activities as directed.
Volunteer Requirements:
Modeling excellent customer service behaviors.
Knowledge of technology needed for position (training provided)
Comfortable working with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
Dependable, punctual, and professional
Adhere to all Red Cross guidelines
Ability to remain calm in crisis situations
Adhere to CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions
Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022.
Support Veterans Going to College – A-B Tech’s Vet’s Cafe
Feb 25 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
AB Tech
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is a comprehensive two-year college and one of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, serving students in five locations in Buncombe and Madison Counties. A-B Tech, through its dedication to student success, strives toward its mission to deliver quality education to enhance academic, workforce, and personal development. A-B Tech envisions changing lives and strengthening communities.
We are seeking volunteers to help support our Veteran’s Cafe. A-B Tech recognizes that student military veterans benefit significantly from fellowship and networking with their peers. To meet this need, the College created the Vet’s Cafe, a supportive gathering place where students can relax, network, connect with resources, use a computer and enjoy complimentary coffee or pre-packaged snack.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Hosts, ensuring the Cafe is welcoming and supportive.
Setting out snacks and coffee
Helping students with computers, and tutoring/mentoring as appropriate
Volunteers also act as a conduit between students and the A-B Tech Veterans Advisor to ensure students get all the support they need to succeed.
Time Commitment:
3 hours per shift (8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm 8am-5pm)
1 volunteer per shift, couples are welcome to volunteer together.
Qualifications:
Must have patience and understanding while volunteering at the Cafe
Military experience is preferred but not required
Must be computer literate
Requirements:
Must be 21 years old
Complete volunteer application with A-B Tech
Complete FERPA & HIPAA forms
Submit to a criminal background screening
Attend an in-person interview and orientation with A-B Tech Campus Volunteer Coordinator
Health & Safety:
A-B Tech is following all CDC guidelines for higher educational institutions
Swannanoa’s Charles D. Owen Park: New children’s playground!
Feb 25 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Charles D. Owen
Over a period of several weeks in January, the old playground — which was very small and suitable only for young children — was removed and replaced with a large, state-of-the-art playground, complete with climbing walls, multiple slides, a 4-person seesaw, and much more. The colorful new playground equipment is designed for children ages 5-12, and makes quite a visual splash as you drive into Owen Park.
The upgraded playground is part of a series of improvements the county has made at Owen Park over the last couple of years, including the addition of a GaGa ball pit, outdoor exercise equipment, a musical “garden,” a wheelchair-accessible swing, and a TRACK Adventure Trail that teaches kids about the flora and fauna that can be found in the park.
Owen Park is located at 875 Warren Wilson Road (behind National Wiper Alliance). In addition to the amenities listed above, the park boasts several reservable picnic pavilions, a fishing pier, basketball courts, baseball fields, and a level, 1-mile walking path around the ponds. Owen Park is truly a gem in our community, and it keeps getting better all the time!
Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?
Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness siteon how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.
ABCCM Crisis Ministry is an organization providing supports and resources to individuals and families in Buncombe County who are living with low incomes, are facing financial emergencies, or are struggling to meet their basic needs. The Crisis Ministry is a division of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), a nonprofit organization working in Buncombe County to address poverty, hunger, homelessness, and health care access. ABCCM is a family of Christian congregations in the Asheville-Buncombe County area organized to respond to emergency assistance needs in the community.
We are currently looking for compassionate volunteers to assist with supporting clients via phone and in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers will be working on site.
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist in the ABCCM Crisis Ministry office on Cumberland Ave. Shifts will run M-F from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and 12:30pm-4:30pm. Current urgent need is for Tuesday mornings 8:30 am-12:30 pm and Wednesday afternoons 12:30 pm-4:30 pm.
Volunteer Opportunity Includes:
Communicate with clients over the phone and outside in person.
Showing compassion to clients
Listening to clients needs
Communicating with ABCCM Crisis Ministry staff what the needs of the client are
Assisting in writing food and clothing vouchers for clients
Referring clients to NC 2-1-1 and other agencies for needs that ABCCM cannot meet
Volunteer Requirements:
Excellent listening and communication skills
Maintain professional boundaries with clients
Ability to speak clearly and take notes of needs
Maintain client confidentiality
Comfortable being on the phone for shift duration (breaks between clients)
Ability to remain calm during crisis situations
Participate in training prior to beginning your volunteer shift
Health and Safety:
We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face covering, one of the below:
Bandanna covering nose and mouth
Cloth covering nose and mouth
Fabric or disposable face mask
Asking volunteers to maintain physical distance of 6 feet or more when possible
Note: there are times when the volunteer task requires volunteers to engage closer than 6 feet. Please do not sign up if you feel uncomfortable.
Build A Kit for Students
Feb 25 @ 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
online
Before you begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?
Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.
UWABCis committed to collaborating with donors, volunteers, community partners, and those most affected by inequity and poverty to co-create a community where all share equal access to the resources necessary to attain the education, financial stability, and health needed to thrive.
Currently, UWABC is seeking individuals, teams, and corporate partners to support students engaged in learning pods and satellite learning centers by Building Kits that provide resources such as items to support resiliency, personal care packs, school supplies, and more.
Volunteers will be responsible for purchasing agreed-upon supplies, assembling and delivering the supplies directly to the learning site. Build a Kit items/supplies will be shared with volunteers after responding to the opportunity.
Build A Kit Options:
Art Kits
Personal Care Kits
Resiliency Kits
School Supply Kits
Snack Packs
I’m interested, How do I participate?
Respond to this opportunity as an individual or as a team.
After you respond, a UWABC staff will reach out to share the pre-approved Build A Kit list and timeframe.
Think about your price point.
How much can you or your team realistically spend?
There is no minimum or maximum of kits needed at this time as these items are always needed and welcome.
Determine kit options and begin the process of ordering and assembling kits based on the pre-selected and approved lists.
Volunteers are asked to only purchase the pre-approved items to ensure each student receives the same items.
Coordinate with UWABC staff around delivery location(s) and point person on-site.
Deliver kits to a specified location(s).
Track all volunteer hours of participating individuals in Hands On.
Health and Safety:
This is a remote opportunity and larger groups are responsible for the health and safety of their team members’ participation.
Any time groups are together, UWABC encourages volunteers to follow CDC guidelines of:
Practicing social distancing of 6 feet apart;
Practicing hand hygiene often and wearing gloves when appropriate;
Wearing a mask when around other volunteers.
We ask volunteers to wear masks when delivering items.
Nominations are Now Being Accepted for the 15th Annual ATHENA of Henderson County Award
Feb 25 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
online
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Pardee UNC Health Care, Optimum/Morris Broadband, and Judy Stroud/State Farm Insurance are pleased to announce the 15th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award in Henderson County in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz. Nominations are now being accepted for the ATHENA Leadership Award, which will be presented at the Professional Women’s Luncheon in May to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way, and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.
Founded over 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA’s flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award Program, has honored over 6000 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception in 1982.
Vanessa Y. Mintz brought the ATHENA award to Henderson County in 2008 and she embodied the values underlying ATHENA
International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities, and our government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there”, the ATHENA Leadership Award honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.
The program is facilitated locally by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, a licensed ATHENA host organization. Nominations are sought throughout the community. Recipients are selected by a diverse group of out-of-town professional judges, based on Athena leadership criteria.
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope, and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. Past Henderson County ATHENA Recipients Include:
Kathy Streeter Morgan (2021)
Barbara Volk, City of Hendersonville (2020)
Barb Morgan, Project Dignity of WNC (2019)
Lee Henderson Hill, Community Foundation of Henderson County (2018)
Roxanna Pepper, Children & Family Resource Center (2017)
Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance (2016)
Judith Long, Free Clinics (2015)
Caroline Long, St. Gerard House (2014)
Annie Fritschner, First United Methodist Church (2013)
Myra Grant, Pardee Hospital Foundation (2012)
Joyce Mason, Four Seasons Compassion for Life (2011)
Pat Shepherd, Pat’s School of Dance (2010)
Ragan Ward, Carolina Alliance Bank (2009)
Robin Reed, Bares It All (2008)
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage, and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients.
Spread a Little Love with the Dog Therapy Program – A-B Tech
Feb 25 @ 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
A-B Tech Community College
Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?
Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is a comprehensive two-year college and one of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, serving students in five locations in Buncombe and Madison Counties. A-B Tech, through its dedication to student success, strives toward its mission to deliver quality education to enhance academic, workforce, and personal development. A-B Tech envisions changing lives and strengthening communities.
We are currently seeking registered Therapy Dog Teams to have regular routes on campus, visiting public areas, classrooms and staff offices.Our A-B Tech Therapy Dog program aims to spread compassion, empathy, and, most importantly, “pawsitivity” across our campus. A-B Tech Community College recognizes the positive influence that therapy dogs can have on student and staff.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Therapy dog teams (owner and dog) will visit public areas on campus, classrooms, and staff offices
Therapy dog teams will also assist with special requests such as visiting classrooms before exams, counseling sessions or special events on campus.
Time Commitment:
1 hour once a week
Therapy Dog teams are scheduled to ensure they are not in the same building or area at the same time as other teams.
Requirements:
Must be 21 years old
Complete volunteer application with A-B Tech
Complete FERPA & HIPAA forms
Submit to a criminal background screening
Attend an in-person interview and orientation with A-B Tech Campus Volunteer Coordinator
Provide copies of Therapy Dog Certification (Dog Teams must be certified by an accredited Therapy Dog Agency before starting).
*As of 2021, the Volunteer Program accepts Therapy Dog certification from the following agencies, Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Therapy Dogs International, Pet Partners (previously Delta Society).
Health & Safety:
A-B Tech is following all CDC guidelines for higher educational institutions
Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Feb 25 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)
Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.
House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.
Adult – $5.00 Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00 Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each Student Group – $2.00 each 6 & under – Free
VIDEO RECAP: Commissioners’ Briefing/Regular Meeting
Feb 25 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
online
The Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at 200 College Street in room 326 in downtown Asheville. To view the agenda, previous meeting videos, or to view future meeting agendas – you can visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners.
“Weaving Across Time”
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Center for Craft
Bringing thousands of years of tradition into conversation with contemporary practice, the Center for Craft’s exhibition ᎢᏛᏍᎦ ᏫᏥᏤᎢ ᎠᎵᏰᎵᏒ Weaving Across Time showcases the works of nine Eastern Band Cherokee basket makers. Touching on the dynamic evolution of lineage, sustainability, and cultural expression, the exhibition opens on December 13. This exhibition is supported in part by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and AARP, Mountain Region North Carolina.
The artists’ work with two of the oldest materials in Cherokee basket making tradition, mountain rivercane and white oak, both of which have been used for thousands of years by Southeastern tribes. The end results are both beautiful and functional – entries in an evolving craft tradition that began tens of thousands of years ago and is experiencing a resurgence. The labor-intensive process of basket making, which includes harvesting materials, gathering plants for dyes, and deciding on intricate patterns, itself becomes a key component of the final object, which interweaves ecology, culture, land, and identity.
These plants, particularly rivercane, are at the heart of Cherokee tradition and culture. The subject of serious conservation efforts, rivercane is also a vital plant for water quality and erosion mitigation, as well as a habitat for riparian species. Despite its importance, the effects of climate change and continually encroaching development in rivercane habitats has contributed to its depletion, both as a material for artists and a plant essential for environmental health. Basket makers harvesting rivercane for splints approach the plant with deep reverence and knowledge of its centrality to the ecosystem, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles to harvest it sustainably.
Other materials, selected with just as much care, reveal elements of process and the natural environment, including the plants available to harvest in particular seasons. White oak can be gathered year-round, but is easiest to process in spring and summer when sap runs up the tree. Dyes used for the baskets, sourced from plants including bloodroot, butternut, and walnut, add rich color to final pieces while also revealing information about harvest time and supply. The laborious, intensive process links generations of basket makers across centuries.
As Cherokee lands have been stolen or transformed beyond recognition, materials are harder to come by, but the rewards are rich. As basket maker ᏚᏍᏓᏯᎫᎾᏱ Gabriel Crow, explains, “When you’re taking that extra step, going out and doing this completely by hand, you’re a basket maker, not just a weaver. My hands are rough and calloused over because I make the splints myself.” Crow makes an average of just 20 baskets a year and, like other basket makers, wastes no scraps, instead making mats, miniature pieces, or, as a last resort, using them for kindling.
The baskets in the exhibition, all of which were created in the last two decades, connect lineages across time and space in a vibrant, living tradition. Patterns based on rhythmic numerical sequences are passed down from teacher to student. Basket makers also borrow from contemporaries and innovate to create pieces in their own recognizable styles. Basket maker ᎺᎵ ᏔᎻᏏᏂ Mary W. Thompson, who is also the consulting artist for The Basket public art parklet, finds inspiration in designs she sees on her travels to visit other tribes in North and South America. For her, baskets are symbolic of Cherokee resilience. “The Cherokee have always been able to change and adapt with time,” she says, “so our artwork and art forms have changed and evolved along with us.”
The exhibition will be on view until April 22. Visitors can reserve 30-minute time slots for unguided visits to explore the current exhibitions, learn more about the Center’s national impact, and enjoy interactive activities. The Center is open to the public Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm. Hours of operation may be subject to change.
Center for Craft is monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the community and following the instruction of federal, state, and local health departments. Our top priority is always the health and safety of our staff, coworkers, and visitors. At this time, the Center requires the use of masks or face coverings by all visitors, including children. The Center reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor that will not comply.
A Catalog Card Community Art ShowShow
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Check this out!
Do you remember card catalogs? What happened to all those analog “cards” once they were replaced with computers? The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the Black Mountain Library has obtained a few hundred old catalog cards and we want to use them to make art! We invite everyone in our community to participate. After creating your artwork on a catalog card, drop it off at BMCA or the BM Library to be included in our community art show entitled “Check This Out!”
Pick Up Your Catalog Card at BMCA, the BM Library, or Chifferobe December 13 – February 4
(or until we run out)
All artwork must be submitted by February 7 @ 5:00 pm to be included in the show.
Additional Financial Assistance Available for Housing + Heating Needs
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
online
Do you need help paying your mortgage, rent, or utilities? Buncombe County might be able to help. Additional financial assistance will be available soon for qualifying County residents. At its Feb. 1 regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve budget amendments accepting nearly $4 million in state and federal funding for emergency rental and low-income energy assistance.
Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin also provided the Board an overview of emergency housing spending of $8.2 million to date that has helped aid more than 3,000 residents. Additional funding in the amount of $2.2 million has been received from the state’s allocation of emergency rental assistance to be used following the same guidelines for rent and utility payments. Hardin noted there is still $4 million in funding from the previous allocation that is available immediately to support community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent or utilities. Call 250-5500 for assistance.
Heating Assistance
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is a seasonal program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. NC DHHS is providing funding from two sources to the County for a total of $1,887,432. All funds will be disbursed through Eblen Charities. The County will share more information as it is available on how residents may apply for this assistance.
Billie Jean King Cup 2022: “Parade of Racquets” Program
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville
Parade of Racquets Will Offer 50 Hardwood Racquets to Local Businesses, Organizations, & Youth/School Groups to Participate
Each decorated racquet will be auctioned off at the April 15-16, 2022, event to benefit Asheville Tennis Association’s youth outreach programs.
With the Billie Jean King Cup (formally known as Fed Cup) returning to Asheville for a third time, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) is looking to infuse the local community like never before. We’re asking artists, school groups, and teams to create racquet artwork with the spirit of Asheville and tennis for the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup on April 15-16, 2022. The racquet artwork will serve as an iconic visual to commemorate the return of Team USA to Asheville, NC.
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center will provide the 2′ x 4′ wooden racquets to be decorated with the spirit of Asheville and Tennis at no cost, on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Approximately 60 racquets will be available via pre-registration here: https://paradeofracquets-bjkc2022.eventbrite.com— while supplies last. Pick up information will be emailed directly to registrants. All decorated racquets must be returned to the venue no later than Tuesday, March 1, 2022 for display.
ABOUT BILLIE JEAN KING CUP
The U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team will return to Asheville, N.C. for the third time in five years in April with a spot in the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals at stake.
The USTA has selected Harrah’s Cherokee Center as host for the team’s qualifying tie against Ukraine, which is scheduled to be played from April 15-16. Team USA previously played at Harrah’s Cherokee Center— Asheville in 2018 and 2019, when the competition was called Fed Cup. The two events combined generated more than $8 million in economic impact for the region and spurred increases in tennis participation at the grassroots level.
EVENT HISTORY
The Billie Jean King Cup, the premier international women’s tennis team competition formerly known as the Fed Cup, was officially rebranded in honor of the legendary Billie Jean King in late 2020. Some of the greatest tennis players in the history of the game have suited up for Team USA, helping it win a record 18 titles in the competition since the event began in 1963.
Matinee Series for Students and Families THE PEKING ACROBATS
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am
Diana Wortham Theatre
MATINEE SERIES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Recommended for Grades PreK-12
Whether they’re performing daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs or displaying their technical prowess at trick-cycling, The Peking Acrobats push the limits of human ability, defying gravity and leaving your students inspired and amazed. Full of bright costumes, festival pageantry and traditional Chinese music, this thrilling cultural experience is one your class will never forget.
Updated safety policy, effective September 1, 2021: To ensure the health and wellness of students, patrons, artists, staff and volunteers, masks are required at all times for all students, patrons and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Mobile Blood Drive at Buncombe County Courts
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Buncombe County Courthouse
Your blood is going to someone who really needs it. To get it there is a process. It takes a team; our phlebotomists collect the blood, our couriers bring it to our headquarters for processing, our lab techs process it, and our couriers then deliver the products to our hospitals. Once they’re there, lives are saved.
Second Gear Winter Consignment Sale!
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Second Gear
SHOWCASE OF EXCELLENCE
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Showcase of Excellence features the exceptional artistic talent of high school students in our area. This premier event is a juried fine arts competition that offers young artists their first taste of a professional gallery environment. Cash prizes are awarded for the top student artists and teachers.
High school teachers in North and South Carolina are invited to submit their students’ best work in painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, and photography.
First Prize and Best in Show students are awarded a cash prize to encourage their artist pursuits. Winning teachers are awarded a Be Inspired Grant that they may use for classroom projects. These prizes are made possible by our generous donors.
The 2022 Showcase of Excellence will held from February 19 – March 12 in the Parker Gallery at TFAC.
Information about registration and Showcase rules can be found below.
WEE TRADE CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center Davis Event Center
Wee Trade is all about families helping families. 45,000 Sq Ft of quality consigned goods gathered under one roof for a 3-day weekend sale event at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher, NC, just across from the Asheville Regional Airport.
Pay a 30% sales commission, you keep 70% and are invited to the Consignor Pre-Sale the day before the public!
From strollers and nursery furniture to clothing and toys, we’ve got everything you need for your infant, toddler or children & teens! It’s also a great way for grandparents, pre-schools, day cares, etc. to shop for their children’s needs.
Friday, February 25th- 10:00 am-8:00pm
Saturday, February 26th- 8:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, February 27th- 8:00 am-3:00pm
Winter Yoga on the Mountain Hikes
Feb 25 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Bearwallow Mountain Trail
Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with yourself as you relax into the wisdom and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with yourself as you relax into the wisdom and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 3hrs, 2 miles, all-levels yoga, guided meditation, and panoramic views…just 30 mins from downtown Asheville!
Take time away in nature to breathe deep, relax, and immerse yourself in the beauty of our wild places! Enjoy a 2-mile round trip hike along an easy/moderate trail to a mountaintop with stunning panoramic views then settle in for an hour of yoga for all levels on the summit. The full experience takes approximately 3 hours and the trail head is only 30 mins from downtown Asheville so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the town too!
Enjoy wide open spaces, fresh mountain air, and endless views. We’ll bring the mats. You bring your spirit of adventure!
Prefer a private adventure? Sunset, Morning, and Afternoon hikes are available daily year round for private groups…even if you’re a solo adventurer!
Traveling with a group? Discounts available for parties of 6+
What: Teach water safety skills, prepare children for drowning emergencies, decrease the number of deaths due to drowning in children and youth. Volunteer in the water or on land.
When: Shifts available from February 23 – April 22, Tuesday thru Friday from 10 AM – 12:30 PM.
The world is 70% water. Children are 100% curious. In an area with so many natural bodies of water, drowning prevention isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Y Splash is a volunteer-led program that challenges the startling childhood drowning statistics. Between the months of February and April, every public school second grader comes through the Y to participate in critical drowning prevention skills. We are searching for volunteers with a passion for water safety,
working with youth, and serving our local community.
2022 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition
Feb 25 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum
Olivia Jones, Face Vessel, Ceramics & Glass, Silsa-Asheville High School, Grade 12. 2022 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards, Gold Key award.
The Asheville Art Museum has announced the regional award recipients of the 2022 Scholastic Art Awards and artworks will be on view at the Museum.
The regional program is judged in two groups: Group I, grades 7–8 and Group II, grades 9–12. Out of 540 total art entries, 190 works have been recognized by the judges, and Gold and Silver Key award-winning artworks are featured in this exhibition while honorable mentions will be featured digitally. The 2022 regional judges include local artists and educators Brandy Bourne, Jenny Pickens, and M. Paige Taylor.
Those works receiving Gold Keys have been submitted to compete in the 99th Annual National Scholastic Art Awards Program in New York City. Of the Gold Key Award recipients, five students have also been nominated for American Visions, indicating their work is the Best in Show of the regional awards. One of these American Visions Nominees will receive an American Visions Medal at the 2022 National Scholastic Art Awards. Award winners include students from public, private, homeschools, and charter schools in Buncombe, Burke, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Rutherford.
Since the program’s founding in 1923, the Scholastic Art Awards have fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students, and include a distinguished list of alumni including Andy Warhol, who received recognition in the Awards when he was a teen.
National Gold Key medalists will be announced in March 2022 and honored during a special awards ceremony in June 2022.
For more information about the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit the Scholastic Newsroom: mediaroom.scholastic.com/artandwriting.
Citations (left to right): Wen Yaxuan, Shakivatou, Painting, Asheville School, Grade 12. 2022 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards, Gold Key award. | Gracie Hart, Fly, Drawing & Illustration, West Henderson High School, Grade 11. 2022 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards, Gold Key award.
About the Asheville Art Museum
The Museum’s galleries, the Museum Store, Art PLAYce, and Perspective Café are open with limited capacity. The Frances Mulhall Achilles Art Research Library remains temporarily closed. The Museum welcomes visitors Wednesday through Monday from 11am to 6pm, with late-night Thursdays from 11am to 9pm. The Museum is closed on Tuesdays. General admission is always free for Museum Members, UNC Asheville students, active-duty military personnel with valid ID, and children under 6; $15 per adult; $13 per senior (65+); and $10 per student (child 6–17 or degree-seeking college students with valid ID). Admission tickets are available at ashevilleart.org/visit. Visitors may become Members at the welcome desk during their visit or online at ashevilleart.org/membership.
A Hand in Studio Craft: Harvey K. Littleton as Peer and Pioneer Exhibition
Asheville, N.C.—A Hand in Studio Craft: Harvey K. Littleton as Peer and Pioneer highlights recent gifts to the Asheville Art Museum’s Collection and loans from the family of glass artist Harvey K. Littleton. This exhibition places Harvey and Bess Littleton’s collection into the context of their lives, as they moved around the United States, connected with other artists, and developed their own work. This exhibition—organized by the Asheville Art Museum and curated by Whitney Richardson, associate curator—will be on view in the Judith S. Moore Gallery at the Museum from January 19 through June 27, 2022.
Harvey K. Littleton (Corning, NY 1922–2013 Spruce Pine, NC) founded the Studio Glass Movement in the United States in 1962 when, as a teacher, he instituted a glass art program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the first of its kind in the United States. He taught the next generation of glass artists—who taught the next—and his influence can still be seen today. But before he dedicated himself to the medium of glass, Littleton studied industrial design, ceramics, and metalwork at the University of Michigan and the Cranbrook Academy of Art in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He met his wife Bess Tamura Littleton, a painting student, at the University of Michigan. Over the course of their careers, Harvey and Bess collected artwork by their fellow artists and amassed an impressive collection from the early days of the Studio Glass Movement and the height of the American mid-century Studio Pottery Movement.
“This exhibition offers the viewer an exciting opportunity to see some of Harvey K. Littleton’s early work in ceramic and metal—directly from his family’s collection—before he began making art in glass,” says Whitney Richardson, associate curator. “Best known for his glassworks, those will be on display alongside the work of his students and his peers making clear the influence he had on them and the Studio Glass Movement.”
A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art
Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art features over 50 works of art in a variety of media by 30+ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Cherokee Nation artists. The exhibition highlights the use of the written Cherokee language, a syllabary developed by Cherokee innovator Sequoyah (circa 1776–1843). Cherokee syllabary is frequently found in the work of Cherokee artists as a compositional element or the subject matter of the work itself. The exhibition will be on view at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, NC from June 12, 2021 to October 31, 2021, and in the Asheville Art Museum’s Appleby Foundation Exhibition Hall from November 19, 2021 to March 14, 2022.
The Cherokee Syllabary is a system of writing developed by Sequoyah in the early 1800s prior to the Removal period. Through Sequoyah’s innovative work, Cherokee people embraced the writing system as an expedient form of communication and documentation. During the Removal period, the syllabary was used as a tactic to combat land dispossession. Cherokee people continue to use the syllabary as a form of cultural expression and pride, which is showcased in the contemporary artwork of the Cherokee Citizens in this exhibition.
“We’re pleased to host this gathering of works from contemporary Cherokee artists, who perfectly illustrate how our language is a living and evolving part of who we are. It’s moving to see how each artist finds inspiration in their own way from this language that connects us as Cherokee people,” said Shana Bushyhead Condill, executive director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
“The Asheville Art Museum and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian have been long-term collaborators, and we are delighted to further our partnership by working together to manage an open call to Cherokee artists and subsequently curate this exciting exhibition of contemporary works that take inspiration from, celebrate, preserve and interpret the syllabary,” said Pamela L. Myers, executive director of the Asheville Art Museum. “On view at both museums, we hope the exhibition engages a wide and diverse audience in dialogue with these extraordinary works.”
A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and curated by Hilary Schroeder, assistant curator at the Asheville Art Museum, with assistance from curatorial consultant Joshua Adams (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians). Special thanks to S. Dakota Brown, education director at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Alexis Meldrum, curatorial assistant at the Asheville Art Museum, for their support in the planning of this exhibition. This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership, and sponsored in part by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and Kevin Click & April Liou in memory of Myron E. Click.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians artists include Joshua Adams, Jody Lipscomb Bradley, Nathan Bush, Kane Crowe, John Henry Gloyne, Shan Goshorn, Luzene Hill, Christy Long, Louise Bigmeat Maney, Christopher McCoy, Tara McCoy, Joel Queen, Sean Ross, Jakeli Swimmer, Rhiannon Skye Tafoya, Mary Thompson, Stan Tooni Jr., Alica Wildcatt, and Fred Wilnoty.
Cherokee Nation artists include Roy Boney Jr., Jeff Edwards, Joseph Erb, Raychel Foster, Kenny Glass, Camilla McGinty, Jessica Mehta, America Meredith, Jane Osti, Lisa Rutherford, Janet L. Smith, Jennifer Thiessen, and Jennie Wilson.
About the Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Established in 1948, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian is one of the longest operating tribal museums. Recognized for its innovative storytelling, the Museum features exhibits, artwork, and hands-on technology that brings over 15,000 years of Cherokee history to life. Located in Cherokee, NC, the Museum is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Learn more by visiting
Red Cross Buncombe County – Blood Drive Volunteer
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
