“I live in downtown Asheville. I don’t have sheep,” says local artist Lisa Klakulak. “I don’t know that much about animals.” But she does know about the fiber culled from livestock, since that’s the medium in which she works. And that’s why Klakulak looks forward to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair — three days of […]
Metalwork is more like problem-solving than artistic expression, says Ian Henderson: “It will do exactly what you want it to: be shaped, melt at known temperatures, harden and soften predictably.” The artist has also explored clay, which he describes as fussy and gestural, but “I loved working with metal as soon as I started, because […]
The first brainstorming session for Weaverville’s Art in Autumn festival took place in December, 2006. “We were desperately seeking ways to bring more foot traffic to the downtown area of Main Street,” remembers Sherrye Perry, a Weaverville Business Association member. With Beth Mangum, Perry organized what would become a successful annual event. “It seemed a […]
“We never intended this to be exclusively a bluegrass festival,” says John Felty, owner of Mountain Song Productions. He’s talking about the Mountain Song Festival, now in its eighth year, which takes over the Brevard Music Center for a September weekend. While bluegrass is a strong component to the music showcase, “We are definitely looking ahead to […]
Although the color palette is in pastels, the imagery is of a marionette girl wielding a hatchet at a chicken. Odd character drawings such as this often make appearances in the work of clay artist Shoko Teruyama — another of her pieces shows an apron-wearing farm animal alongside a birdcage and a mouse-cage. These are […]
Local artist Andy Farkas works primarily on engravings and Japanese woodblock prints known as moku hanga. The process, he says, results in “a more watercolor-y feel” — rather than rolling ink onto a carved block or plate, the woodblock itself is moistened and ink is added directly to it.
Fiber Weekend at the Folk Art Center includes demonstrations, hands-on activities and a wearable art fashion show take place Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.
It’s a mutual, musical love affair. Asheville adores Gillian Welch, and she loves Asheville right back. In Welch’s most recent album, there’s even a nod to our town with the lyrics, “Come on you Asheville, boys. Turn up your old-time noise.” Gillian Welch’s Tuesday, April 22 show at The Orange Peel had a sweet note […]
The concept that is driving the Buncombe Cultural Alliance’s mission is collective impact. The leadership team hosted a three-hour focus group at the 2014 Creative Sector Summit to share their progress and solicit feedback on a strategy draft.
Handcrafted springtime footwear in WNC.
Donna the Buffalo performs at The Orange Peel on Saturday, Jan. 18. Before the eclectic Americana band takes the stage, fiddle and accordion player Tara Nevins talks with Xpress about good vibes, striving for perfection and her love for The Herd.
The singer-songwriter will be playing with Bo Ramsey at The Grey Eagle on Saturday, Dec. 21. Photo by Sandy Dyas.
HEARTH Holiday Pop-Up Shop will open its doors Dec. 13-15, bringing together several local artists selling their wares.
A handmade piece of artwork, whether it’s a ceramic mug or a one-of-a-kind painting, is an insight into the personal narrative of the artist. Buying directly from an artist’s studio is a chance for the collector to connect to that artist’s process in a way they wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Denise Cook, executive director […]
In the hierarchy of craft cachet, fiber arts are often less discussed than other media such as pottery or metalwork. Maybe that’s because textiles are, by nature, a quieter genre: no hammers to wield, forges or kilns to stoke or clay to sling. But Western North Carolina’s textile artists are not only thriving, they’re taking […]
Five years ago, the artists of Marshall High Studios brainstormed an annual event in the spirit of the holiday season. Because the artists do not keep regular open-studio hours, the idea that became the Marshall Handmade Market was a way for them to share their space and their work with the community. Additional makers from […]
As with most artists and artisans, both the product and the method are tools for self-discovery: Jim Huskins has been making banjos since the early 1970s, and he shares with Xpress a little of what he’s learned.
At the lumbering speed of 2.5 miles per hour, the Rural Academy Theatre is making their second tour through Western North Carolina. The horse-drawn performance troupe loads all of its supplies, instruments and equipment into a wagon-trailer reminiscent of the Oregon Trail computer game. A few bicyclists ride alongside the caravan to scout roads and […]
North Carolina’s pottery tradition stems from the very makeup of its geography: lots of clay. While the clay-laden soil may be a challenge for gardeners, it also provides a rich supply of artistic material. The use of local clay has been part of our history for a long time, with pottery shards dating back to […]
It is said that artists are only limited by their imaginations. Contrary to that famous saying, printmakers are limited by the size of the printing press. That is, until they acquire some construction equipment to help them out. Asheville Bookworks is hosting an event on Saturday, Aug. 31, where eight to 10 artists will be […]
The EnergyXchange in Burnsville is in the innovation business. Built on the site of a former landfill, the complex includes four greenhouses, three cold frames, a retail craft gallery, a visitor center, clay studio and glass studio. And most of it's fueled by decomposing trash. Methane, that is. Glassblowing and ceramics studios are notorious for […]
