Please note: Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

Welcome to Sky Top Orchard!

We are asking guests to visit on weekdays whenever possible. We offer the same items you love on those days as we do on weekends plus it helps keep crowds down on weekends. Thank you!

The mountains of western North Carolina are full of pick your own u-pick orchards. We offer more. In addition to a long list of apple varieties, visit Sky Top Orchard and you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a barnyard area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, peacocks and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. View our downloadable map to see all that we have to offer and visit our picking schedule to find out what’s available now.

When you purchase a bushel of apples, a wagon load of pumpkins or a cooler full of apple cider you’ll take home more than the makings for delicious fall recipes, you’ll take home a mountain of memories too. And don’t forget our famous apple cider doughnuts. They’re an autumn tradition. We bet you can’t eat just one.

Ready to join us on top of our mountain? Plan Your Visit Today!

To keep guests and our staff safe, we require face masks (covering both nose and mouth) by employees and guests in any area where social distancing is difficult so plan to wear them in the fruit stand, in line for doughnuts, in any areas that are not out in the orchard where you are picking. You must also maintain a distance of 6 feet in all lines and areas where you encounter others.

4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA

The entries have been chosen for this year’s annual juried exhibition. Thank you to all who entered.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at 11:00am on 26 September.

The exhibit can be viewed in our Solomon Gallery 15 September – 17 October, during normal business hours.
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm

View the list of accepted entries.

Hard 2 Recycle is headed to Henderson County for the first time on Saturday, October 10th 10am-2pm. This event will be held in the TEDC Overflow Lot at Blue Ridge Community. We need volunteers to help run this event smoothly! Volunteers will be required to wear masks and follow physical distancing guidelines. PPE will be provided. Register to volunteer and join our Info Session on Wednesday October 7th at 10am via Zoom.

https://asheville-greenworks.networkforgood.com/events/23883-henderson-county-hard-2-recycle-volunteers?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_790093

Wednesday/Thursday, October 7/8 OR Friday/Saturday, October 9/10. The spring session didn’t happen so we have set new dates for October. Justin & Shannon Roberts (@walkthewillow) from Murray, KY will be teaching two traditional Appalachian Willow Chair classes at Silver River:  Sign up HERE. But don’t pay yet, just let us know you’re interested. We will keep looking at COVID numbers….Thanks!

Kentucky Crafted Artist and 2019 Regional Bernheim Artist in Residence, Justin Roberts specializes in the rare folk art of bent-wood willow furniture. Learn about the history, uses and process of the craft through this engaging process. You leave with your own willow chair! Bring a hammer, hand pruners, and work gloves. No experience is necessary.

Justin and his wife, Shannon are creators of epic public art willow sculptures and bird habitats including “Sounds of a Whippoorwill – Bernheim” and “Sounds of a Whippoorwill – Josephine,” and “Choices @ Calloway County Public Library” in Kentucky. Follow them on Instagram @walkthewillow

2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE

The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.

But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.

Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.

We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:

* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.

* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.

Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.

GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.

Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).

Reopening for take out! Enjoy!!

Beginning October 7, the three-hour documentary-styled art installation Question Bridge: Black Males will be on view at the Asheville Art Museum. This innovative transmedia project facilitates a dialogue between Black men from diverse and contending backgrounds, and creates a platform for them to represent and redefine Black male identity in America. The work will be on view during regular public hours from October 7, 2020 through March 15, 2021.

Question Bridge: Black Males is a project that explores critically challenging issues within the African American male community by instigating a transmedia conversation among Black men across geographic, economic, generational, educational, and social strata of American society. Question Bridge provides a safe setting for necessary, honest expression and healing dialogue on themes that divide, unite, and puzzle Black males today in the United States.

• What we’ll do
Network and have lunch with new and old friends while you promote your business products and services. Bring a big stack of business cards and a friend if you like. ALL are invited, no cost to attend the meeting, we just ask that you support our host restaurant and buy your lunch (don’t forget to add a hand-spun milkshake to your meal!).

• What to bring
Business Cards, Positive Attitudes, Smiles.

• Important to know
Perfect your one minute speech – make sure people know who you are and most importantly, how you can help them. Networking events are a great place to practice your pitch!

• Thanks to our Sponsors!
– Radius Chiropractic
– Montreat College School of Adult and Graduate Studies
– College Nannies+Sitters
– Charlotte Sheppard, Realtor
– The Super Signguy

Career Expo Prep Webinars:

In advance of the Virtual WNC Career Expo Goodwill and AARP are hosting webinars to help job seekers prepare.

Show up to the expo ready to shine with Goodwill’s WNC Career Expo Prep Week (Each Virtual Webinar Held from 1:30-2):

• 10/5 Doing the Research: What employers will be present at the EXPO? Which employers should you target? What are the employer’s values? What types of questions will you ask the recruiter?
• 10/7 Resume Revamp: Quick tips to update, polish, and make your resume standout to the employers you are targeting.
• 10/9 Nail the (Informational) Interview: Setting Career Expo goals. How to maximize the few minutes you have in front of an employer. Preparing your questions to ask the employer.

To register for these webinars with Goodwill, email [email protected] with the course you would like to attend.

Some great news! Noble Cider Downtown will be opening it’s doors on October 7.
We have worked hard to ensure that all our customers and staff will be as safe and comfortable as possible.
Come and enjoy our award winning local craft cider, mead and what goes better with cider than some delicious local charcuterie?
We look forward to welcoming you all to Noble Downtown!

No reservations necessary.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) / COVID-19

FIRST WEDNESDAYS

For ages 8-12 * Taught by Amanda Klinikowski

Join us for 6 weeks on ZOOM for a fun and interactive Dance class covering the fundamentals of dance for the theater! Each week, we will warm up our bodies, learn new basic jazz, ballet, and musical theatre steps, and work on a fun new dance combination to some of our favorite songs. Some past combinations featured songs from Hamilton, Wicked, The Greatest Showman, Lady GaGa, Trolls and more!

6 Week Session: September 23-October 28, 2020

This October, we’re selling the wine and beer from our concessions inventory for you to take home! Come see us at the theatre any Tuesday or Wednesday evening in October and purchase a six pack of local beer, a four pack of cider, or a bottle of wine to take home! We’ll have a table set up at the front door, so you won’t even have to come inside, plus we’ll be wearing masks, checking IDs and encouraging you to social distance if there’s a line!

Prices: $6.00 for 6-pk 12 oz beer, $8.00 for 4-pk 16 oz cider, $8.00 per bottle of wine. Credit cards only, no cash sales. Prices do not include sales tax, which will be added.

We’re starting something new for you all: Wednesday Night Date Night! Join us for dinner from 5-9PM every Wednesday for a fun evening with a great deal.

For $27, you’ll get your choice of two small salads or one large salad, one appetizer, and one pizza (specialty or a 3-topping BYO) from Grata Pizzeria. Add two UpCountry beers for a total of $37.

See you here!

ADULT SUPPORT GROUP
Attending a support group prior to additional therapy or treatment may help an individual begin the recovery process.  Participating in groups may be an important supplement to any type of outpatient eating disorder treatment.  Continuing with support after treatment may help reinforce skills, provide accountability, and increase motivation and commitment to recovery.

Adult Support Group (ASG)
Pro-recovery, gender-inclusive, 18+
Every Wednesday
6:00-7:00 pm
See ADULT SUPPORT GROUP SCHEDULE to reserve your spot and receive the group link!

September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7 & 14 (make-up, if needed: October 21)—Wednesdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: September 2
This program takes place virtually via Zoom. Space is limited; to register, click here or call 828.253.3227 x122.

In this six-part class, explore the fundamentals of drawing. Strengthen your ability to understand the visual language employed by artists, and learn to speak the same language by developing work of your own. Working with both technique and theory, start with proportion, placement, planes, and perspective, then move to shading and measuring before putting it all together in a final copying exercise. Works from the Museum’s Collection serve as examples of key drawing concepts, as well as a model for master copies.

Instructor Tony Corbitt, Jr. is a professional, self-taught artist living, working, and teaching in Asheville. Inspired by the French Masters of the late 19th century, he often favors plein air painting, emphasizing tonal relationships and sound draftsmanship with broad sweeps of a loaded brush. His inspiration is rooted in the American South; be it painting the Gulf Coast, sketching an alligator, or capturing the ever-changing shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he can usually be found outdoors, fully immersed in his surroundings.