In the early 1900s, travel by train and automobile became more accessible in the United States, leading to an increase in tourism and a revitalized interest in landscape painting. The relative ease of transportation, as well as the creation of National Parks, allowed people to experience the breathtaking landscapes of the United States in new ways. Artists traveled along popular routes, recording the terrain they encountered.

This exhibition explores the sublime natural landscapes of the Smokey Mountains of Western North Carolina and Tennessee. While there were several regional schools of painting around this time, this group is largely from the Midwest and many of the artists trained at the Art Institute of Chicago or in New York City. Through their travels, they captured waterfalls, sunsets, thunderstorms, autumn foliage, lush green summers, and snow-covered mountains—elements that were novel for viewers from cities and rural areas. Though some of these paintings include people, they are usually used for scale and painted with little to no detail, highlighting the magnificence of nature.

Rudolph F. Ingerle, Mirrored Mountain, not dated, oil on canvas, 28 × 32 inches. Courtesy of Allen & Barry Huffman, Asheville Art Museum.

Bender Gallery Artists Featured in Asheville Art Museum Exhibition The New Salon: A Contemporary View The Asheville Art Museum will be opening their exhibit, The New Salon: A Contemporary View, on March 8 and it will run until August 19, 2024. The New Salon offers a modern take on the prestigious tradition of the Parisian Salon with the diversity and innovation of today’s art world. Guest-curated by Gabriel Shaffer, the show will include works from Pop Surrealism, Outsider Art, Street Art, and Graffiti genres.   Bender Gallery has been collaborating with the Asheville Art Museum to loan four paintings from three of our artists. The artists are Laine Bachman, Kukula, and Yui Sakamoto. Be sure to check out this special exhibition in downtown Asheville. Learn More Kukula, Impossible Voyage, oil on board, 48 x 24 inches Kukula (b. 1980, Israel) Nataly Abramovitch, better known in the art world as, Kukula, paints imagined worlds filled with elaborately dressed women in fanciful settings. The artist does extensive research on the layouts of paintings from the Renaissance and Rococo periods. Kukula subverts these images by depicting women characters in place of traditionally male positions and settings. Her characters are powerful, commanding, and have an air of indifference. Available Work Yui Sakamoto, Self Portrait, oil on canvas, 63 x 63 inches Yui Sakamoto (b. 1981, Japan) Our surrealist artist, Yui Sakamoto, will have two paintings featured including My Soul and Self Portrait. Self Portrait is still available from his recent solo exhibition at Bender Gallery. Standing in front of Self Portrait, one is immersed in the dual-worlds of Sakamoto’s Japanese and Mexican cultures. There is a sense of calm reflected in the repeating rose pattern, mixed with the uneasy realization that the coral, fungi, and otherworldly forms are what makeup the figure. Available Work Laine Bachman, Night Bloomers, acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 inches Laine Bachman (b. 1974, USA) Our prolific Magical Realism artist, Laine Bachman, makes a feature in the exhibition with her painting, Night Bloomers. She has been hard at work making 17 new pieces for her solo exhibition at the Canton Art Museum in Canton, Ohio. The Canton show opens on April 28 and continues through to July 28, 2024. Available Work

When one thinks of the necessities of life, one element immediately comes to mind: water. When one thinks of modern abstraction, the dynamic realm of contemporary art where boundaries are blurred and creativity knows no limits, one name shines brightly: Patricia Hargrove.

The Asheville Gallery of Art proudly presents its June exhibit of Hargove’s series that depicts the powers of water to energize, refresh and heal the soul and body. This masterful exhibit runs June 1-30, with an opening reception on Friday, June 7 from 5-7:30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Democrats need to be more actively messaging and to overcome the makers of fake news with the truth! Join this ongoing group of writers working together on Letters to the Editor and Opinion Editorials. We’ll discuss the issues we care about most deeply and craft a plan to respond to events as they occur in real time.

The group meets the first and third Monday of each month for writing, responding to one another’s work, scheduling submissions, and exploring media outlets across the state.

“Rant with purpose. Support with facts. Propel action.” – Myra Schoen

Buncombe County Public Library is thrilled to announce The Hop Ice Cream as a proud supporting partner of this year’s Summer Reading Program to encourage youth literacy in our community. The Hop will provide free ice cream at the Summer Library Fest on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m.-noon at East Asheville Library. For added fun, The Hop owner Greg Garrison will collaborate with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo to provide a special dance performance to families in attendance.

Any kid or teen who visits a Buncombe County library to pick up their summer reading activity sheet will also receive a 10 percent off coupon redeemable at any Hop location or at Pop Bubble Tea. Return your completed activity sheet to any branch and receive a bookmark for a free kiddie scoop of ice cream at any Hop location. You must complete 10 or more activities on your sheet to be eligible for ice cream – and you can also select a free book of your choice!

Summer Reading runs from June 1 to  August 31 and is open to anyone from birth to age 18.  If you have any questions, just contact your friendly neighborhood library.

Join us at the Black Mountain YMCA to learn ways to improve joint mobility for more effective workouts and how to stretch for post workout recovery!

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park

Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.

Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (Affiliated Monitors) announce the schedule for six independent monitor community meetings to be held in June. The
newly selected Independent Monitor (IM) is responsible for overseeing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with its commitments set forth in the purchase agreement for Mission Health
System.

The upcoming community meetings are part of the expanded scope of work for the IM, with increased community engagement and education. The updated Independent Monitor
website and registration information will be available on June 3.

During the community meetings, Affiliated Monitors will introduce their team to the community,
review HCA’s remaining commitments under the APA, provide an overview of how independent
monitoring works within the constraints of the established APA, and update the communities
about the steps Affiliated Monitors has taken to date. In addition, the public meetings will
provide attendees an opportunity to share information with the new IM and ask questions about
the process. Concerns which fall outside of the role of the IM will be referred by Affiliated
Monitors to an appropriate party.

The format for each meeting is designed to both educate community members on the monitoring
process and to gather input pertaining to each HCA facility within their community. As room
capacities will be limited; Affiliated Monitors has requested that attendees pre-register for their
selected location beginning June 3, using the updated Independent Monitor website. Details
about virtual viewing options will also be made available at that time to those who are unable to
attend.
Attendees, and those who are unable to attend, will be able to submit questions in advance via
the website, beginning June 3. Answers will be grouped by topic and prioritized based on

All meetings begin at 5:30p.m. and doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.

Locations, dates, and times of the public meetings are listed below:

McDowell County Meeting (Mission Hospital McDowell)
Monday, June 10 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Marion Community Building, 191 N Main St, Marion, NC

Mitchell/Yancey Counties Meeting (Blue Ridge Regional Hospital)
Tuesday, June 11 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross St #215, Spruce Pine, NC

Buncombe County Meeting (Mission Hospital)
Wednesday, June 12 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)

Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech, Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC

Transylvania County Meeting (Transylvania Regional Hospital)
Monday, June 17 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Transylvania County Library, 212 Gaston St. Brevard, NC

Highlands/Cashiers Meeting (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital)
Tuesday, June 18 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Final location coming soon.

Macon County Meeting (Angel Medical Center)
Thursday, June 20 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Robert C. Carpenter Room, Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC

Affiliated Monitors, Inc. is a Boston-based company with 20 years of independent monitoring
experience in healthcare, with an emphasis in health care regulation, consumer protection, antitrust, and fraud and abuse.

The independent monitor was selected in April 2024 by Dogwood Health Trust to monitor HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s remaining obligations under the Asset Purchase
Agreement.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole
purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18
counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on
innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and
wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.
Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can
live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more,
please visit www.dht.org.

Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (Affiliated Monitors) announce the schedule for six independent monitor community meetings to be held in June. The
newly selected Independent Monitor (IM) is responsible for overseeing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with its commitments set forth in the purchase agreement for Mission Health
System.

The upcoming community meetings are part of the expanded scope of work for the IM, with increased community engagement and education. The updated Independent Monitor
website and registration information will be available on June 3.

During the community meetings, Affiliated Monitors will introduce their team to the community,
review HCA’s remaining commitments under the APA, provide an overview of how independent
monitoring works within the constraints of the established APA, and update the communities
about the steps Affiliated Monitors has taken to date. In addition, the public meetings will
provide attendees an opportunity to share information with the new IM and ask questions about
the process. Concerns which fall outside of the role of the IM will be referred by Affiliated
Monitors to an appropriate party.

The format for each meeting is designed to both educate community members on the monitoring
process and to gather input pertaining to each HCA facility within their community. As room
capacities will be limited; Affiliated Monitors has requested that attendees pre-register for their
selected location beginning June 3, using the updated Independent Monitor website. Details
about virtual viewing options will also be made available at that time to those who are unable to
attend.
Attendees, and those who are unable to attend, will be able to submit questions in advance via
the website, beginning June 3. Answers will be grouped by topic and prioritized based on

All meetings begin at 5:30p.m. and doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.

Locations, dates, and times of the public meetings are listed below:

McDowell County Meeting (Mission Hospital McDowell)
Monday, June 10 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Marion Community Building, 191 N Main St, Marion, NC

Mitchell/Yancey Counties Meeting (Blue Ridge Regional Hospital)
Tuesday, June 11 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross St #215, Spruce Pine, NC

Buncombe County Meeting (Mission Hospital)
Wednesday, June 12 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)

Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech, Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC

Transylvania County Meeting (Transylvania Regional Hospital)
Monday, June 17 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Transylvania County Library, 212 Gaston St. Brevard, NC

Highlands/Cashiers Meeting (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital)
Tuesday, June 18 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Final location coming soon.

Macon County Meeting (Angel Medical Center)
Thursday, June 20 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Robert C. Carpenter Room, Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC

Affiliated Monitors, Inc. is a Boston-based company with 20 years of independent monitoring
experience in healthcare, with an emphasis in health care regulation, consumer protection, antitrust, and fraud and abuse.

The independent monitor was selected in April 2024 by Dogwood Health Trust to monitor HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s remaining obligations under the Asset Purchase
Agreement.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole
purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18
counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on
innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and
wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.
Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can
live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more,
please visit www.dht.org.

Join us for an evening of music and community conversation with Dani Cox, LEAF’s Spark the Arts Artist in Residence for June. The event takes place on Monday, June 17, at 6 p.m., and is free and open to the public!

Dani Cox is a local musician and active community member. She is a teacher and a student, a passionate performer, and accomplished vocalist. With a background in dance, theater, and writing she has a lot to offer our community both creatively and professionally. A former member of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and founding member of the Women to the Front Music Festival, Dani is beloved by so many in our community.

We welcome her to the stage of LEAF Global with open arms and heart. We know we will have the opportunity to not only hear beautiful music, but we will experience lively conversation, some big laughs, and an opportunity to learn.

DSSOLVR PRESENTS:

ROBERT’S TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA

Every Monday, at 7:00 PM, come on down

Trivia with Billy is Asheville’s best eclectic trivia night. This blend of factoids, music knowledge, and critical thinking is guaranteed to have a little bit for everyone. A diverse team of thinkers is a must if you want to win. There are bonuses prizes on nights with 10+ teams, if your team beats the ever-present brewery team, and for best team name. This trivia takes a lot more than just being good at Jeopardy! This is the perfect way to extend your weekend, or start your week. As a wise man once said, “I drink and I know things,” and this is your chance to prove it!

Trivia with Billy

prizes and more

Welcome to our weekly community contra dance in West Asheville!  The Monday Night Dance has been around for decades, and we are carrying the torch forward! We are a loving, kind, and safe dance community and highly encourage masking during the dance. No derogatory comments in relation to masking will be tolerated! We encourage non-maskers to mask while partnering with a dancer wearing a mask, or to at least ask if the person would like them to mask while they dance with them.

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Practicalities

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Time: Contra dancing 8:15–10:30pm, with a beginner lesson starting at 7:45 and a waltz session ending the evening.

Location: St. George’s Center for Art and Spirit, 1 School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Cost: $12–$45 sliding scale, CASH ONLY. Please pay as much as you can afford to cover the cost of the wonderful live music, the caller, sound person, rent, and other expenses! ATMs are available at banks on Patton Ave., as well as cash back options at local gas stations and grocery stores.

Requirements: Face masks and sign-in agreeing to the dance’s Safety Guidelines.

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Please enter through the front red doors to the sanctuary. Extra parking available in the lots between Moore’s Foot and Ankle and St. George’s (please avoid parking in front of their practice.) This is a scent-free dance. Please bring your own water and water bottle. Beginners are encouraged to attend! Beginner-friendly dances start the contra dancing in lieu of a lesson.

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Community Focus

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The Monday Night Dance is more than just a dance; the community is deeply rooted. Folks are welcome to sell their wares, like jewelry, dance shoes, dance clothes, pottery, etc. They are also welcome to leave business cards and help wanted or work needed ads. Additionally, the Take Some Leave Some Closet is a new feature of the MND. You can take any clothes, food, produce, feminine products or first aid supplies that we have, and as you are able you can also leave some to replenish. Private times to receive from the closet can also be arranged during the week depending on to the dance organizer’s availability.

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Safety

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We emphasize safety here at the MND. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged, and courtesy to those choosing to mask is required. No discrimination to those wearing masks will be tolerated! In addition, this is a family and LGBTQ-friendly dance and a safe event for ALL races, ethnicities, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. Accordingly, no discrimination, inappropriate sexually predatory behavior, racist or discriminatory comments, bullying, or verbal or physical abuse of ANY kind will be tolerated. See our Safety Guidelines for more info.

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Volunteers and Donations

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Ours is a dance built on volunteerism, and we need your help to survive! Please consider volunteering or becoming a patron by giving a monetary gift. Opening, door and closing help are some of the volunteer jobs available. Those completing their entire shift dance free! Email [email protected] for more info and to sign up. 

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Finally, please follow, like and join us on Facebook!

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Thanks so much and see you on the dance floor!