WHAT: Toast Asheville
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square
WHY: Looking to have fun while sampling local food and libations and supporting the arts in Western North Carolina? Well, Toast Asheville, an evening of music, food, drink and a silent auction, just may fit the frame.
Open since 1948, the Asheville Art Museum combines its love of art with love for the local food and beverage scene. “We are interested in building relationships with our neighbors and community who support arts and culture in WNC, as well as crafters of all types, including food, beer and wine,” notes Asheville Art Museum communications director Jen Swanson. “And those are definitely arts that support local. That’s important.”
Benefitgoers will enjoy DJ Jamar Woods while sampling eats and drinks from local vendors, such as Blue Ridge Distilling, Hi-Wire Brewing and Mamacitas, which will be on hand to answer questions and educate attendees about local food and drink. “We enjoy this event because it brings in people who love and support local art, food and beer. They are very knowledgeable guests,” explains Swanson.
A silent auction will take place, containing items like gift certificates from various local restaurants, tickets to the Fine Arts Theatre and an Age Your Own Whiskey Kit from Top of the Hill Distillery in Chapel Hill.
Proceeds from the event will support the museum’s public programming and exhibitions. Tickets are $40 but may be purchased in advance for $35 for nonmembers and $30 for members. Tickets are available online, over the phone or at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Swanson at 253-3227 or visit ashevilleart.org. — Michael McDonald
That museum is an abomination. I’m a relatively new-comer to the Asheville arts community, but I’ve heard now from several peers about the abysmal practices of this museum and the complete farce that is their board and administration.
I’ve gone through the collection three separate times now and was completely unimpressed considering the vast amount of arts showcasing that should be happening with a cultural community of this capacity. The Cherokee exhibit was pretty much the only locally interesting thing, but the displays are terrible and the engagement level is pathetic.
This business with city council allowing them to throw out other cultural organizations from the tax-payers building, and then letting the executive director do backroom deals to name parts of the city for her benefit without any due process — it is completely shameful.
My friends and I are in total boycott of this museum until such time as council does their job and calls into question the practices of this board and its executive director. I hope the people of Asheville realize they could have and deserve a museum of much higher quality on every possible level, and that no one supports this defrauder in the meantime.