The inaugural festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, at French Broad River Park.
Smart Bets: Art in Autumn
The fine arts and craft show takes place in downtown Weaverville on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a young rocking horse maker’s art fair entry, a swing dance enthusiast’s revival of old tunes and a musical that aims to counter racial tensions in the U.S.
Local exhibition features portraits rendered in colors from nature
While studying at Burren College of Art in Western Ireland, “I knew I wanted to use plant dyes, so I started foraging from the local landscape,” says Suzanne Teune. Mainly what she found were blackberries, discovered when a classmate crushed a handful into a white t-shirt.
Smart bets: Craft City
The Asheville artist leads the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design’s outdoor pop-up workshop on letterpress printing Friday. Aug. 4.
Winners of the 2017 American Craft Week annual contest, ‘Second Acts,’ are anounced
Five of the 25 winners in the national competition are from Western North Carolina.
John C. Campbell Folk School and Penland School of Crafts name new directors
It was announced last month that John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown had selected Jerry Jackson as its new executive director. And this week, Penland School of Crafts in Penland named Maria “Mia” Hall as its next director.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands celebrates 70 years
The biannual event returns to the U.S. Cellular Center Friday, July 21, to Sunday, July 23.
The Big Crafty returns for its 19th season
Brandy Bourne and Justin Rabuck have seen indie crafts evolve firsthand. Nine years ago, they founded The Big Crafty, a biannual art and craft market. With eclectic products and a convivial atmosphere styled after Taiwanese bazaars, The Big Crafty proved to be an instant hit.
Independence Day events around WNC
Whether you favor pig pickin’ or watermelon, live music or a dramatic reading of the “Declaration of Independence,” there’s something for everyone this holiday, and Xpress has all your pie-flavored, freedom-filled needs covered.
Smart bets: Flag of US
The artistic collaboration takes place at The BLOCK off Biltmore on Sunday, July 2.
‘Forging Futures’ exhibition celebrates studio craft in WNC
The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design and Blue Spiral 1 team up again on the 10th anniversary that first survey of studio craft in the region. Forging Futures, an exhibition of 24 makers, opens on Thursday, June 29. Companion events including panel discussions, a lecture and a fundraiser run through Thursday, Aug. 17.
Rural artist studios are open to visitors during the spring TRAC tour
The country roads cut through the mountains, winding along the rivers and next to farmers’ fields. This is the landscape of Mitchell and Yancey Counties, where the 84 artists participating in the Toe River Arts Council’s studio tour — held Friday-Sunday, June 2-4 — live and work.
A week of wood-fired ceramics starts June 1
Local events — open to both potters and those who simply appreciate the art form — run from Thursday, June 1 to Wednesday, June 7, with a series of exhibitions, receptions, sales, studio tours and demonstrations.
‘Kibwe’ convenes marionettes, myth, music and visual art
“Kibwe is a Swahili word for ‘blessed,’” says Devin Lancaster. He chose it because, regardless of what we go through, whether positive or negative, the opportunity for the experience is a blessing, he says.
Smart bets: Kenilworth Art Studio Tour
Explore Kenilworth’s studios on Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features the inaugural product line by The Bright Angle, a recording project by the Mountain Chamber Jazz Ensemble and a community center called Songbird Sanctuary.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features Sustainable development in Malawi, the Asheville Movies website and The Resonant Rogues’ crowdfunding recap.
Two local artists follow their passions in the RAD
The River Arts District’s Spring Studio Stroll takes place over Mother’s Day weekend — Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21.
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area brings back the digital crafts trail
The Blue Ridge Craft Trails of Western North Carolina — Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s newest addition to its programming — “raises all boats” by connecting collectors with authentic makers.
The 44th LEAF features ‘Legends of Africa’
The program that emerged from Pickering’s trip, LEAF International Rwanda, is now sending four of its performers to LEAF. The young Rwandans will join over 400 other artists at the festival’s 44th edition, which takes over Camp Rockmont from Thursday, May 11, to Sunday, May 14.