Claire Simpson Jones and Donny Luke are the Asheville Gallery of Art’s featured artists for the month of May. Visitors to the gallery will have the entire month to view their outstanding paintings. Their exhibit will run from May 1st-31st.

“This exhibition is a celebration of our individual travels through life,” joyously depicted in the watercolors of Donny Luke and Claire Simpson Jones. Traveling has always played a big part in both Donny and Claire’s world, broadening their awareness and perspective, opening their minds to new experiences, and providing unlimited inspiration.

Both artists have a passion for travel as well as a passion for the challenging, but gratifying, watercolor medium, and this exhibition combines these passions. “There is no better way to immerse yourself into a particular scene than painting. Whether choosing plein-air or painting from travel sketches and references brought back to the studio, all of our senses come to life and that experience is pure joy!” Every painting is an adventure that seems to take on a life of its own, often diverging from the initial design as it develops. Staying open to ‘following’ that direction or literally “going with the flow” of watercolor provides a sense of discovery and adventure that makes the process exciting. Donny and Claire both have a long list of places and techniques they plan to explore in the near future, adding to their repertoire of inspiration and work.

Donny Luke’s travels throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico, have given him many opportunities to take reference photos of some of the most beautiful places and landscapes in North America. He works from these references to create dramatic watercolor paintings. His work also includes many paintings of the breathtaking scenery and architecture in Western North Carolina, especially waterfalls, streams, and old barns.

Donny retired from a thirty-two year career as a professional architect in Asheville, NC and began his watercolor career in 2016. He has studied under nationally known watercolor artists including Michael Reardon, Iain Stewart, Keiko Tenabe, and Antonio Masi. He is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina and has had paintings juried into the 2018, 2020, and 2021 WSNC Annual Juried Exhibitions with the 2020 painting ‘Santa Rosalina Relic’ receiving the WSNC Permanent Collection Purchase Award.

Claire Simpson Jones’ sensitive naturalist paintings draw from her many travels, here and abroad, and a lifetime of finding refuge and comfort in the raw beauty of our planet. In the past ten years, she has spent her summers in her favorite destinations’ England, Scotland, Australia, and our beautiful mountains of NC. Equipped with painting supplies, she roams the countryside, setting up to paint whenever inspiration comes her way. “Nature has always fed my soul for as long as I can remember. This connection has been, and continues to be, the primary inspiration for my paintings. I often begin with plein air studies and photos, taking them back to my studio to see where my next painting experience leads me. There is nothing to substitute for painting on location, with all of my senses alive, working quickly to capture the true essence of the scene before me.”

After working in graphic design, illustration, and a long career in teaching high school art, Claire has shifted her focus back to full time painting. She holds a BFA from Florida Atlantic University and has studied art at Ontario College of Art and California College of Art. She has also studied with nationally known watercolor artists including atelier workshops with the world renown watercolorist, Mary Whyte. Claire is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, earning awards, the most recent 2020 Best of Region Award.

Visitors to the Asheville Gallery of Art will be able to view Claire and Donny’s show from May1st through May 31st. They will be present for a special “Meet the Artist” event on First Friday, May 6th, from 5pm-8pm in the gallery at 82 Patton Avenue.

1. Bricks-And-Mortar

2. Public Education

3. Planning, Survey and Designation

Volunteer with Us

Volunteers are the heart of our organization and support every aspect of our work. In 2021, 955 volunteers contributed 37,053 hours of service, helping us to carry out our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Whether sorting donations in the ReStore, hammering nails on the construction site, or assisting in the administrative office, we hope you’ll find the volunteer opportunity that is right for you.

ince 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local non-profits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations in Henderson County.

The Bearfootin’ Bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each in a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until auction. Participants bid during the auction to raise funds for local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the nonprofit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2021, the Bears raised more than $100,000, and in 2022 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Think you might need to use an absentee ballot for the Primary Election on May 17? Here’s what you need to know so you can make sure your vote counts.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballots will be mailed out beginning on March 28. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form is May 10 at 5:00 p.m. for the 2022 Primary Election. Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot. No special circumstance or reason is needed. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:

1. Online – Request an Absentee Ballot at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.
2. On paper – print the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (not available online currently).

For active-duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad, click here. If you have questions about that process, you can call us at (828) 250-4200 or visit buncombecounty.org/vote.

No Printer? You may complete an absentee ballot request form at the Election Services office at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, 28801, or call (828) 250-4200 and one will be mailed to you. You may return the request in one of the following ways:

Mail it to:

P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802

Hand deliver it to our office:

59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, 28801

Note: The Absentee Ballot Request Form may not be emailed or faxed. Request forms that are hand delivered to the office must be returned only by the voter or the voter’s near relative

How to Return an Absentee Ballot

The deadline to return the completed Absentee Ballot is Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., however, voters are encouraged to return the ballot as early as possible. You may return it to us in one of the following ways:

By mail: Absentee ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 7468 Asheville, NC 28802. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, May 17, 2022 and received by Friday, May 20.

At an Early Voting site: Absentee ballots may be returned to an early voting site during the early voting period, but not at a polling location on the day of the Primary Election. Ballots returned at an early voting site must be delivered to the election official at the check-in station.

In person: Absentee ballots may be returned in person to our office at 59 Woodfin Place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Absentee ballots may be returned only by the voter or the voter’s near relative.

For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website. Or call us at (828) 250-4200. You can also email your questions to [email protected].

Sound healing helps us to become still, and open up to the peace that lies within our deeper awareness.

About this event
When we lie back in restorative poses, we can bring strength to our intentions.

Join Jamie Knox, owner & founder of Burning Sage Yoga and Billy Zanski, owner & founder of Skinny Beats sound shop as you let go and realign in this amazing event.

All props will be provided. Just bring yourself and your intentions.

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About Jamie Knox, MA, Ryt 200, AHC

Jamie’s journey with yoga and Ayurveda began at a little studio in West Hollywood, California. In her search to “be” she found who she was and her life began to take shape. She teaches Ayurveda-led yoga classes and workshops in Asheville, NC. She’s also a mom, wife, local playwright and actor, and imperfect being.

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About Billy Zanski

Billy Zanski has been sharing his passion for the healing energy of sound for over 20 years. In 2004, he opened Skinny Beats Sound Shop located in downtown Asheville, where his sound healing work is centered around creating space for individuals to become still, and go inward, connecting with their unique rhythm. Billy has also studied percussion extensively in Guinea, West Africa, which deeply influences his musical expression.

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This is an indoor event.

GreenWorks Silent Auction May 13-29 Virtual

Stories from the House is a virtual tour of our 1840s-era brick mansion as seen through the eyes of many of the people who walked these same hallways over a century ago and whose stories represent a microcosm of the history of western North Carolina. In 1918 vs. 2020, we took an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic. Old Shiloh was one of Asheville’s first communities established by emancipated people. The community moved to its present-day location – New Shiloh – after George Vanderbilt, in an effort to expand his land holdings as he planned to build his Biltmore Estate, purchased the land and buildings and agreed to relocate the Shiloh church and cemetery.

You live in a beautiful place, and you want to keep it that way. Us too. So we put together a fun way to help protect our home — now and for the future.    We’ve reached out to our community, and collected items from some of the most fun, most delicious, most unique local businesses, including:   Eats and treats from some of Asheville’s most popular restaurants Yoga experiences Beer tastings and tours Local art Outdoor adventures   We’re so excited to WOW you all!   Some of these items and experiences you can’t find anywhere else…and some of them were created especially for you.   And they’re finally ready for bid in our Home GREEN Home Silent Auction. Be the First to Check Them Out  This is your chance to enjoy some only-in-Asheville treats and unique experiences while supporting GreenWorks’ efforts to improve our local climate resilience.   This year’s silent auction is just one of the ways you can contribute to our Spring Campaign. By shopping our incredible array of uniquely Asheville items and experiences, you’ll be building a greener future for all of us.   All proceeds from the auction will go directly to programs that strengthen our local climate resilience. To protect our homes and health from the effects of extreme weather and a rising tide of plastic pollution, GreenWorks engages with thousands of volunteers like you to complete more than 200 projects each year. Your support will plant trees, protect native pollinators, clean up our rivers and roads, and inspire even more residents to work for a greener tomorrow for ourselves, our families, and our community.   All of us, together, are building our future with the choices we make today. Will you join us to make Asheville a unique, beautiful, and resilient place to live now and in the future (and have a little fun while you’re at it?)

The exhibit features thought-provoking photos taken by students, faculty, and staff while traveling abroad.