Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and art walk season is right around the corner. In fact, Asheville’s first downtown art walk of 2011 kicks off this Friday, April 1 at 5 p.m.
In case you’ve never laced up your walking shoes for a gallery crawl before, here’s how it works: The 22 member galleries of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association open their doors from 5-8 p.m. Many hold opening receptions for new exhibits. Visitors are invited to mingle, meet artists, check out new works and partake of refreshments.
This Friday, a new gallery (and performance space) is added to the gallery walk route: The Altamont Theatre Company (18 Church Street) holds its grand opening. During the art walk, view works by eastern Tennessee-based visual artist Nathaniel Galka (that’s his painting, “Her Pride,” above). According to his artist statement, “There’s no denying that nature is theatrical. As with most of us, we feel nature is continuously unveiling a sublime dramatic performance that is riveting to watch. There are always dramas and battles, with this game of tug and war being laid out for all to see. No matter how these events play out, you will still be able to stumble into the quiet charm and the delight of her sincere grace. In these simple moments, the surrounding quiet and stillness become the key players on nature’s main stage.”
Return to the Altamont at 9 p.m. for its inaugural performance, a concert by local musician Holiday Childress of art-rock band The Goodies. $15 advance/$17 doors. Purchase tickets here.
Also opening: Castell Photography hosts an opening reception for a collection by Polish artist, Krzysztof Wladyka (his photo is below). “Wladyka is a self taught artist living and working in Olawa, Poland. In 2010, his series, ‘Animalies’ was awarded in the 2010 International Photography Awards in three different categories,” says the gallery. The reception runs from 5-8 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and also celebrates the gallery’s second anniversary.
Tree artist Jennifer Barrineau shows 12 new paintings in the featured exhibit at Woolworth Walk. Meet the artist from 5-7 p.m.
American Folk Art and Framing welcomes self-taught (and highly sought-after) modern folk artist John “Cornbread” Anderson, who will be present at the artist’s reception. (The image above is a collection of his paintings.)
After hours, if you haven’t had your fill of art, check out Disposable, “An exhibition featuring hundreds of photographs by 10 local artists” at the The Desoto Lounge (504 Haywood Road, West Asheville) from 7-10 p.m.
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