Student Group Tour FUNDING Opportunity!

Attention ALL Western North Carolina Educators.....

We understand the rising cost of gas, the search for volunteer chaperones, the organizing of snacks and lunches and the fight for funding are often very strong obstacles against planning a field trip for your students. However, we here at the Museum also understand the awe of standing in front of the majestic Kenneth Noland painting, of walking around a Ruth Asawa wire sculpture, of being close to a Jasper Johns print, or of walking under a massive Gillespie aluminum sculpture. More importantly, we have also seen the benefits of a day learning outside of the classroom, we have been humbled by how students react to art in their own way, we have been surprised by a student's first encounter with an elevator, and we have been shocked by a student's interpretation of their own art piece.

Thus....it is the Asheville Art Museum's pleasure to share with all educators (parents, coaches, tutors, friends, etc.- pass the news on) this remarkable funding opportunity to make your visit to the Asheville Art Museum easier to plan, staff, organize, and execute.

Target offers educational funding through its Field Trip Grants. Educators can apply for a grant for up to $800 to get out and explore the world with your students! Bring your group to the Asheville Art Museum and have your bus, admission, personalized tour with a qualified Museum docent and even your lunch paid for!

Apply soon- the grant application period closes on November 3rd, 2009.

And check out the Asheville Art Museum's Group Tours. We can personalize them to fit whatever your class is learning about. Plus, students spend time in the studio for a hands on activity. Your students can do printmaking, painting, drawing, crayon resist, sculpture work, and more.. Get them learning about art with an interesting and adventurous trip to the Asheville Art Museum! And you can do it for FREE but you must apply in the Next SIX days!

Herb and Dorothy

Special Film Screening!

Thursday, October 29th at 7pm.

For one night only the Asheville Art Museum presents a special screening for all art lovers and collectors of anything.... at the Fine Arts Theater, downtown Asheville.

Herb and Dorothy Vogel are two middle class workers who live in New York City in a one bedroom apartment stuffed with furniture and appliances, turtles and cats, and oh.. yeah...one of the most interesting collections of Contemporary Art in the City.

Year by year, they collected, piece by piece, their love of art propelling them forward without regard to monetary wealth, popular fashion, or artistic fame. Many of their pieces were acquired before an artist became famous, and thus, they amassed an incredibly rich, varied, and fascinating collection, all within modest means- and with serious space constraints.

The film mixes artist interviews with time spent with the Vogel's themselves. They are charming and affable, humbling and real. They are the reason institutions like the Asheville Art Museum are so important; their genuine passion for art reminds us of our responsibility to collect, preserve, and educate our community about the inspiring power of art in all aspects of our lives!

The film has inspired many so far, and it has become a catalyst for conversation about art, collecting, individual passions, creative outlets, inspiring hobbies, the balance of work and play, and so much more!

Bring a friend to this special ONE night opportunity and have your own conversation inspired by Herb and Dorothy Vogel. Where will it lead you?

Here is the official site.

Get your Advance Tickets by contacting the Asheville Art Museum!

Curl up with a good book!

It is chilly and raining here. ALL DAY. As I look out my window I see people huddled against each other, walking through downtown Asheville, fighting with their umbrellas, and I shudder.

But, do not despair my good readers. Today is the day I venture back into Kurt Vonnegut's strange and deliriously glorious stories as I hold in my hand his novel- Bluebeard. In it, Vonnegut tells the tale of fictional Abstract Expressionist painter Rabo Karabekian who first appeared in Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions, which also happens to be the last book I read of his.

Vonnegut's book takes it's name from Charles Perrault's Bluebeard, published in 1697. Perrault is the French author whose work led to the 'fairy tale' genre. Although the Brothers Grimm (or Disney) often get much of the credit from us today for those classic fairy tales, Perrault wrote earlier versions of the fairy tales we all love and cherish like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots.... And, of course, Perrault himself was 'inspired' by earlier folk tales.

Knowing all of this, imagine what Vonnegut can do with a story he wrote that was inspired, although very roughly, by Perrault, the man of 'fairy tales'.

Just listen to Rabo Karabekian, as he says in the beginning of the book: "I promised you an autobiography, but something went wrong in the kitchen..."

I can't help but be excited for the chilly, rainy weather so I can curl up with this fun read.

Join the Asheville Art Museum's book group Discussion Bound as they discuss this farcical delight! Kurt Vonnegut at his finest. November 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free with Membership or Museum Admission.

You can read Perrault's Bluebeard story here. Try to find his moral in Vonnegut's book?!

And if you need to know more about Vonnegut himself: The official site.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VONNEGUT BOOK? COMMENT HERE!

ART: 21 Film Screenings at the Museum!

ART:21 is this weekend!

I am very fortunate to work in an art environment, but film is one of my passions! Mix in the integrity of PBS programming, and this weekend is sure to inspire, enlighten, and entertain all of us at the Museum with the screening of two of the four new films from the PBS series on contemporary art- ART:21. Join us as we watch the films and then discuss after. Don't take my word for it though- watch these 'teasers' to get really excited! See you there.

Episode 1: Compassion will be screened on Saturday; Compassion features artists including William Kentridge, Doris Salcedo and Carrie Mae Weems.



Episode 4: Systems will be screened on Sunday. Systems features John Baldessari, Kimsooja, Allan McCollum and Julie Mehretu.