Show and tell gallery opening by local teaching artists Dec. 5

Here’s the press release from the Asheville City Schools Foundation:

WHO: TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools)
WHAT: Show and Tell Gallery Opening
WHEN: December 5th, 5:30-8:30pm
WHERE: 5 Walnut Wine Bar. A percentage of sales will benefit artist residencies.

TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools) is a creative community program that embodies the artistic culture of Asheville by training and placing local artists in Asheville City Schools for residencies spanning 1-12 days. Despite the richness of our community, few of the students living in poverty have access to the arts that are the hallmark of Asheville. Currently 48% of the more than 4,000 children in Asheville City Schools live in poverty. In three years, the TAPAS program has provided more than 300 days of artists in residence in our schools, trained more than 42 highly-qualified artists, and impacted directly more than 3000 students.

Manager Kristie Quinn of the 5 Walnut Wine Bar said, “We were just so inspired to hear what our local artists were doing for the kids in Asheville City Schools-we felt called to do something.” During the month of December, TAPAS artists will have the opportunity to showcase their own works with the gallery percentage benefiting the artist residency program. In homage to their work as teachers in local public schools, they will be showing off some of their personal favorite pieces as local artists during the aptly named show- “Show and Tell”. Artists presenting works include, Holly De Saillan, Audra Holden, Heather Allen Hietala, Scott David Smith, Carla Filippelli, Ginger Huebner, Joe Dinwiddie, Melissa Weiss, Chris Holt, and Brent Skidmore.

ABOUT TAPAS

TAPAS is a collaborative effort of the Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACSF), UNCA and LEAF Schools & Streets. One of the cornerstone activities of ACSF is to enhance the resources available to teachers and students through grant making. Executive Director of ACSF Kate Pett explains, “Previously, grant requests for artists tapped people outside of our community. The residencies were extremely expensive and our arts funding was quickly expended. TAPAS is a win-win for our children and local artists.” TAPAS grants are awarded twice a year and recent fall awards were made in each school in the Asheville City Schools, totaling more than $13,000 in residencies. The next TAPAS grant deadline is January 21.

“The arts are so very diverse in the lessons they impart. TAPAS has created a unique window for these schools and teachers to showcase this diversity. This opportunity has proven to be the most heartwarming way for me to directly connect my craft with the community.” TAPAS Artist.