Every third Saturday of the month now through October, the resident artists at Grovewood Village will open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to gain insight into their creative process and view their most recent works.
Tours are free and self-guided and will take place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the following dates: September 21, and October 19.
“This region has so much to offer artistically, and this is a wonderful opportunity for the public to connect with some of our local makers,” says Ashley Van Matre, Marketing Manager at Grovewood Village. “Hopefully people walk away inspired, with a deeper appreciation for these artists’ work.”
Grovewood Village is home to 10 resident artists, whose studios are located directly next door to Grovewood Gallery. These workspaces were originally built to house the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise that played a significant role in the Appalachian Craft Revival during the early 20th century. Under the direction of Fred Loring Seely, Edwin Wiley Grove’s son-in-law, the Industries grew to become one of the largest producers of handwoven wool in the world.
Today, Grovewood’s resident artists – inspired by an earlier craft force – create jewelry, pottery, sculpture and more, in the same workshops where the famed Biltmore Handwoven Homespun was once made.
The following artists have studios at Grovewood Village: Chris Abell (wooden flutes and whistles), Rick Eckerd (hand-blown art glass), Melissa Engler & Graeme Priddle (shared studio – sculptural wood art), Lisa Gluckin (ceramic art), Carl Powell (glass sculpture and stained glass), Helen Purdum (ceramic art), Tom Reardon & Kathleen Doyle (shared studio – jewelry and metalwork), and Brent Skidmore (fine furniture and sculptural wood art).
All participating artists will have works for sale, and visitors are encouraged to go next door to Grovewood Gallery where additional artwork will be on display.
Grovewood Village is a privately owned historic Asheville destination located adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn. This site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt.
Today, the 11-acre property – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – is home to Grovewood Gallery, working artist studios, a sculpture garden, Golden Fleece restaurant, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and Asheville’s only antique car museum.
For more information on Grovewood Village and its resident artists, visit www.grovewood.com or call (828) 253-7651.
Above photograph: Metalsmith Tom Reardon demonstrates in his studio in Grovewood Village.