Asheville Art Museum celebrates first anniversary of its expansion with a party on Saturday

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As of March 23, the Asheville Art Museum celebrates the first anniversary of its successful Art works PRIMED interim expansion project. Beginning in late 2011 and unveiled to the public on March 23, 2012, PRIMED resulted in a major transformation of the Museum, temporarily expanding operations to adjacent facilities to better accommodate the museum’s growing schedule of exhibitions and educational programming enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The success was made possible by a tremendous outpouring of in-kind community support from countless organizations, community partners, individuals and artists across WNC.

The community is invited to help the Asheville Art Museum celebrate the first anniversary of the PRIMED expansion with an Anniversary Party and Volunteer Appreciation Social on Saturday, March 23 from 6 – 9 p.m. To show our gratitude for their ongoing dedication, museum members and volunteers are admitted free to this festive affair, and are encouraged to bring friends and introduce new faces to the expanding Asheville Art Museum. Event tickets for non-members are $10 and may be purchased by calling 253.3227, visiting the Museum’s front desk during regular business hours, or purchased online through the Museum’s event calendar on www.ashevilleart.org. Though not required in order to attend, we also ask that members, volunteers and non-members alike RSVP by calling 253.3227.

In keeping with the theme of new beginnings at the Museum, the PRIMED Anniversary Party will feature a springtime motif and attendees are encouraged to share their creative side by donning “creative springtime attire.” Guests will enjoy an evening of dancing and live music provided by musician Aaron Price and DJ Whitney Shroyer. Light hors d’oeuvres from Everyday Gourmet, signature Museum cocktails and a cash bar will also be provided. Members and volunteers will be recognized throughout the evening and will receive one complimentary signature Museum cocktail.

Contributing sponsors of the PRIMED Anniversary Party are Asheville Face & Body painting, Bluestar Dance Troupe, Charles Josef Bridal and Lady Luck Flower Farm.

Nearly doubling the Museum’s size to approximately 53,000-square-feet, the PRIMED interim expansion resulted in the renovation and relocation of the Museum Shop and Visitor Services Center, as well as the addition of the new East Wing, including curatorial and education offices, exhibition galleries, the Art PLAYce interactive art space for children and families, a dedicated New Media Gallery and Artworks Project Space for site-specific art installations. More than 100 volunteers, designers, architects and artists dedicated their time, energy and expertise to the Art works PRIMED project and were critical to its success. The success of the project is also due in large part to the continued leadership and vision of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and dedicated staff.

The developments made possible through the PRIMED project will continue to generate anticipation and excitement for what the new Asheville Art Museum will be for the community, region and beyond. While fully utilizing new and existing spaces, the Museum and its supporters will continue their successful Art WORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign. With the success of the Campaign, construction of the new Museum is planned to begin in late 2014. As the Museum embarks on these steps towards the future of the Asheville Art Museum, the continued support of the surrounding community is essential to the Museum’s successful future as a leading visual arts institution in the region.