Throughout the history of painting from the mid-19th century forward, artists have used an endless variety of approaches to record their world. Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting continues this thread, offering an opportunity to explore a singular and still forceful aspect of American art. Photorealism shares many of the approaches of historical and modernist realism, with a twist. The use of the camera as a basic tool for organizing visual information in advance of painterly expression is now quite common, but Photorealists embraced the camera as the focal point in their creative process. Beyond the Lens presents key works from the collection of Louis K. and Susan Pear Meisel, bringing together paintings and works on paper dating from the 1970s to the present to focus on this profoundly influential art movement. The exhibition includes work by highly acclaimed formative artists of the movement such as Charles Bell, Robert Bechtle, Tom Blackwell, Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, and Ralph Goings as well as paintings by the successive generations of Photorealist artists Anthony Brunelli, Davis Cone, Bertrand Meniel, Rod Penner, and Raphaella Spence. Featured artworks in the exhibition include diverse subject matters, but the primary focus is on the common and every day: urban scenes, “portraits” of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, still life compositions using toys, food, candy wrappers, and salt and pepper shakers. All provide opportunities for virtuoso studies in how light, reflection, and the camera as intermediary shapes our perception of the material world. This multigenerational survey demonstrates how the 35-mm camera, and later technological advances in digital image-making, informed and impacted the painterly gesture. Taken together, the paintings and works on paper in Beyond the Lens show how simply spellbinding these virtuosic works of art can be. “Beyond the Lens offers a fascinating look into the Photorealism movement and delves into the profound connection between the artists’ observation and creative process,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of Asheville Art Museum. “We are delighted to present this curated collection of artworks encapsulating the creative vision and technical precision that defines this artistic genre.” Photorealism found its roots in the late 1960s in California and New York, coexisting with an explosion of new ideas in art-making that included Conceptual, Pop, Minimalism, Land and Performance Art. At first, representational realism coexisted with the thematic and conceptual explosion but was eventually relegated to the margins regarding critical and curatorial attention. Often misunderstood and sometimes negatively criticized or lampooned as a betrayal of modernism’s commitment to abstraction, the artists involved in Photorealism remained committed explorers of the trail they had blazed. In the decades of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, realistic and symbolic painting experienced a renaissance, as contemporary artists are increasingly drawn to narrative and storytelling. Concurrently, using a camera as a preparatory tool equally legitimate and valuable as pencils and pens has made the rubric of Photorealism increasingly relevant. This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and guest curated by Terrie Sultan. This exhibition is sponsored in part by Jim and Julia Calkins Peterson.

Opening Reception for the Artist Nov. 3, 6-8PM.

Tracey Morgan Gallery is pleased to present A Mirror, Not a Window, an exhibition of new and recent work by artist Hannah Cole. This is Cole’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. A reception for the artist will be held Friday, November 3 from 6-8PM.

This collection of paintings and sculptures continues Cole’s interest in creating, completely by hand, reproductions of small details and objects culled from her everyday life, turning the viewer’s attention to often overlooked aspects of our surrounding environment and reframing the very definition of representational art. With nods to pop art, trompe l’oeil, and modern American painters, Cole poses big questions about the nature of the artist’s hand, and the drive to (re)create.

A grouping of wall sculptures of nearly exact replicas of books which are hand-painted on wood blocks are included in the exhibition. These books are all non-fiction, mostly art related, though now un-readable. Instead of looking to books for answers, these objects force the viewer to provide the substance. The most self-referential of the group is Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation in which the French philosopher talks in dense prose about our culture of signs and signals eventually becoming copies without any originals. In Cole’s tongue-in-cheek nod, her faithful replica of Baudriallard’s philosophical work becomes an art object whose meaning has shifted completely from the original. Cole’s painted wood block cannot be read and has no actual utility at all, except as an object to contemplate.

A recurring element in Cole’s paintings is a hand-rendered tape measure running along the edge of her canvases. By including this common, easily recognizable object, Cole calls to question the “truth” of representation. Can we trust these measurements simply because they have identifiable markings? Other paintings on Styrofoam show painted wood grain edges, subverting the viewer’s expectation of where the painting itself is, and what it’s made of. We expect a painting to be on the outward-facing surface, but what if the faithful representation is painted on the sides?

In this contemporary age of Artificial Intelligence flooding us with copies, reproductions, fakes, and deliberate decep-tions, anxieties regarding authenticity and authorship run high. Cole’s work invites contemplation of these deeply philosophical issues with a playful tone, presenting serious questions by way of common objects.

Hannah Cole studied at Yale University and Boston University. Her work has been exhibited at The Turchin Center for Visual Arts, NC; the Drawing Center, NY; the University of Maine Museum of Art; the Sherman Gallery at Boston University, MA; Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Greenville, NC; and the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, among other national and international institutions. She currently lives and works in Asheville, NC.

Romare Bearden (Charlotte, NC 1911–1988 New York, NY), African American writer and artist, is renowned for his collages. He constantly experimented with various techniques to achieve his artistic goals throughout his career. This exhibition highlights works on paper and explores his most frequently used mediums, including screen-printing, lithography, hand-colored etching, collagraph, monotype, relief print, photomontage, and collage.

Bearden’s work reflects his improvisational approach to his practice. He considered his process akin to that of jazz and blues composers. Starting with an open mind, he would let an idea evolve spontaneously.

“Romare Bearden: Ways of Working highlights Bearden’s unique artistic practice and masterful storytelling through art,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jerald Melberg Gallery to present these extraordinary works on paper in conversation with Bearden’s collage Sunset Express, 1984 in the Museum Collection (on view in the Museum’s SECU Collection Hall). This exhibition will also provide a glimpse into the cultural histories and personal interests that influenced his art-making practice, and we hope it encourages introspection and dialogue with our visitors.”

Jerald Melberg states, “Romare Bearden’s groundbreaking artistic practice continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With an unparalleled legacy of creativity and innovation, Bearden’s contributions to art remain deeply influential years beyond his life.” We have enjoyed organizing this exhibition with the Asheville Art Museum to showcase his artistic genius and inspire visitors from the Western North Carolina region and beyond.”

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Judy Appleton Fund. Many thanks to the Jerald Melberg Gallery for the loan of these important artworks and to Mary and Jerald Melberg for their long-standing support of the arts, artists, and the Asheville Art Museum.

Tracey Morgan Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of paintings by artist Stella Alesi in our project space. This is Alesi’s first exhibition with the gallery and is presented in conjunction with Hannah Cole: A Mirror, Not a Window in our main gallery space. A reception for both artists will be held Friday, November 3 from 6-8PM.

The works on view are from the SQUISHY series, a group of geometric, abstract oil on oil paper paintings. With the use of simple shapes and a limited color palette, these works explore the visceral experience of living at this current moment. Alesi’s colorful, “squishy” shapes bend to the demands placed on them by their seemingly heavy, unforgiving counterparts. With this work, Alesi confronts contemporary issues such as climate change and political turmoil, as well as personal trials, using basic shapes, both hard and malleable to express a state of being. The shapes are gestural, fluid, and animated – sometimes resembling body parts even in their minimalism. The effect is a playful interpretation of heavy topics – a visual play on the deep and multi-layer well of human emotions.

Stella Alesi works across several styles and mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, collage, and large wall works. Their practice is characterized by a willingness to try new approaches in the ongoing investigation into new materials and visual languages, always exploring new ways to represent the visceral nature of the human experience. Born on Long Island, New York in 1963, Alesi was raised in New Jersey. They studied at Parsons School of Design, New York City; University Hampshire, Durham; and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Their work has been purchased by many private and commercial collections. Career highlights include a recent solo exhibit (spring of 2023) at the Northern-Southern gallery, Austin, TX and a large-scale permanent installation in the lobby of The Foundry, Austin TX. Alesi currently lives and works in both Austin, TX and Asheville, NC.

FREE | All ages, advance registration requested

Talk about holiday traditions and bring your favorite dessert to share with friends.

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.

Please join us at The 2nd Act in Hendersonville, NC for our first monthly book club meeting that strives to read books that create a closer knit and more inclusive community! We will meet virtually and in person monthly to discuss a book, so read the book and then join in the discussion in person or online every third Thursday. All are welcome! At the end of each meeting we will vote on the next book! The virtual club meeting will be in Zoom format and will meet 2.5 hours after the in-person meeting (8:00pm EST). After the meeting there is live acoustic music so stay and enjoy the vibe with your new friends! Put us down on your calendar for every third Third Thursday!

The first book is going to be called Disability Visibility.

Synopsis from the back cover: One in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some disabilities are visible, others less apparent—but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.

From Harriet McBryde Johnson’s account of her debate with Peter Singer over her own personhood to original pieces by authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma; from blog posts, manifestos, and eulogies to Congressional testimonies, and beyond: this anthology gives a glimpse into the rich complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and the past with hope and love. Preview:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51456746-disability-visibility
Message me for the Zoom link to the online meetup. Thanks!

Cultura’s upcoming Cultivated Community Dinner, Cucina del Rifugio, will be presented by chef Paul Cressend to benefit the YMCA Food & Nutrition Program. Cucina del Rifugio will feature a six-course menu with beverage pairings inspired by the food Chef Cressend enjoyed the most while growing up in New Orleans.

Cucina del Rifugio is inspired by Chef Cressend’s childhood growing up in New Orleans. An interpretation of his favorite dishes from a variety of cuisines. The dinner will be benefitting the YMCA Food & Nutrition Program. Chef Paul Cressend was born in raised in New Orleans. He’s worked in fine dining kitchens for over 20 years. He’s known for his passionate, yet rustic approach to Italian & Louisiana cuisines. Inspired by his world travels his menus feature a global influence. Amuse Bouche: Louisiana Crab Cake with NOLA remoulade First: Orange Pork – citrus honey glazed pork belly, bok choy, onion, and bell pepper Second: Gumbo – trinity, chicken & spanish chorizo served with crawfish fried rice Third: Bucatini – mushrooms, roasted vegetables, pesto or overnight gravy, Pecorino Romano Fourth: Lamb & Potato – oregano-garlic roasted lamb, lemon-herb crushed potatoes Fifth: Bananas Foster Bread Pudding – local bread, caramelized banana custard, toasted pecans, house-made ice cream.

Join Wiley Cash for a conversation with Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, a man who Coach John Thompson wrote about as being “such a phenomenal scorer, if he missed shots, he thought it was the rims and not him.” Cash and Floyd will discuss what it was like to play under Coach John Thompson as the Georgetown basketball was on the rise, what it was like to face hometown rival James Worthy and UNC in the National Championship in 1982, and what Coach Thompson’s mentorship meant to him both during and after his fourteen-year NBA career.

LIVESTREAM ACCESS AVAILABLE

Join us for an exciting in-person event at The Main Event on South Main Street in Hendersonville, NC, USA. We are thrilled to present an exclusive screening of Far Haven, a captivating film that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

By attending this event, you will not only have the opportunity to enjoy this remarkable movie, but you will also be supporting the Henderson County Heroes. These local heroes work tirelessly to make our community a better place, and your contribution will help them continue their incredible work.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary evening filled with entertainment and the chance to make a difference. Mark your calendars and be part of this exclusive screening of Far Haven at The Main Event in Hendersonville, NC, USA.

NACHO MAMA’S COMEDY IMPROV SHOW: IT MIGHT GET A LITTLE CHEESY

Sham

Sham is the songs of Shane Justice McCord in collaboration with Mikey Powers and other friends, a constantly reshaping organism. Sham’s newest album ‘Machine Simple’ was recorded over a 6 month period in Asheville, NC, composed of songs composed over the 2 years prior. Started on tape and bounced to computer and expanded in digital format, the songs rooted in voice and acoustic instrumentation, featuring lots of finger picking guitars, clarinet and bass clarinet, various percussion, trumpets, upright bass and dense lyrical presence. Machine Simple encapsulates the fluid and dynamic nature of Sham, sometimes it sounds like a sentimental song, sometimes a rhythmic bed, sometimes abrasive trumpet or layered clarinet harmonies, sometimes a recording of birds. Lovely different friends contributed to Machine Simple including Madeleine Sis, Austyn Wohlers (Tomato Flower), J Brown, John Kiran Fernandes (Cloud Recordings, Elephant 6), Dave Portner (Avey Tare), L. Bacchus, Clay White & more. Cohesive bundle of sonic exploration and composition, attempt to shape human experience into song and sound.

shamtunes.bandcamp.com

Murderboats

Josh Dean is a songwriter. He experiments with long-form repetitive music. His day job is building and repairing pipe organs. He feels honored to be using this skill set to expand his ongoing experimentation with modifying keyboard instruments to include pipe organs and organ design. He has recently completed the recording of a few new pieces playing an organ he’s built while living in Baltimore MD.

This is an 18+ event

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm

The Spitfire Grill

Music and Book by James Valcq

Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley

Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff

A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. The Grill is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy convinces Hannah to raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the Grill wins. Soon, mail arrives by the wheelbarrow and things really start cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill.

In keeping with our Mission Statement, BC Theatre Dept. seeks to encourage student and community growth and purposeful interaction with a range of ideas. We mindfully tell this story with the deliberate aim of ensuring both open-mindedness and personal safety.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., the dynamic duo known as “The First Couple of Pop & Soul,” have left their mark on the music industry. The pair first found fame as lead singers and co-founders of the original 5^th Dimension, the legendary group behind classics such as include “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show,” “Up, Up And Away,” (Grammy Hall of Fame, 2004) and “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In,” (Grammy Hall of Fame, 2003). After leaving the quintet, McCoo and Davis broke barriers as the first Black married couple to star in their own TV series.

The seven-time Grammy Award-winning duo performed at the 1968 Harlem Cultural Festival, sharing the stage with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, are winners of the Tokyo Musical Festival, and recipients of four Playboy Jazz Festival wins. In 2021, they released their first studio album in 30 years. “Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons” weaves themes of social justice into soulful renditions of classic Beatles hits. The album was met with critical acclaim for breathing new life into Blackbird.

Beyond their musical achievements, the couple was featured in Questlove’s directorial debut “Summer of Soul,” made countless television appearances, authored a book, and headlined Las Vegas. All throughout, they have used their platform powerfully for activism, fighting for civil rights.

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.